So, when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and establish the kingdom?”
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-7
Inquiring minds want to know. “Google” is an inquiry, and the certain result is gazillions of answers in a nano second. “Siri, is this the time … ?” I fully expect to know the answer to any inquiry, serious or trivial, that ever pops into my mind. Instantly.
But some things are not for me to know.
The apostles had just lived through three epic years of miracles and revelational teaching, only to see their Champion humiliated, excoriated and executed. And now, for the last 40 days, He has appeared back with them alive, and more than alive, different, transformed, transcendent and triumphant.
They are at the zenith, the pinnacle. This is the moment. This is the time. The long awaited and long promised Messiah is now here. Freedom from oppression and restoration of Israel to her former glory and geopolitical prominence has finally arrived. Surely, this must be the time.
Is it, Jesus? Is this the time you will free Israel and establish the kingdom?
His response: The “when” you should be focused on is not when My Kingdom will be established (and actually, it already is established and is continually being established), but when the Holy Spirit will come upon you.
In the meantime, wait. Wait in Jerusalem. Wait for the promise of the Father. And when, not if, you receive what He promised, you will receive power. Not political power. Not civic prominence and influence. In fact, public malignment and persecution even to the point of death await many of you. But the promise for you is something much better, something much longer in purpose, eternal, even. Something that establishes My Kingdom, not merely an earthly one. My promise is power to be My witnesses.
So, while you are waiting for the ultimate fulfillment of the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, you have something important to do. Be filled; and be My witnesses.
Not if, but when.
Lord, is this the time? Yes.
LORD, I fret over the broken condition of the world, from the smallest, most personal matter, to the most global, everywhere that there is pain, suffering, injustice and error. I yearn for Your coming, for the fulfillment of Your Kingdom, when You will set all aright. When, O LORD, will You fulfill all of Your ultimate promises? May Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Come quickly. Maranantha.
I will keep looking for Your ultimate reign. But I will no longer allow the fact that your promises are not yet fulfilled to cause me angst, or distract me from Your calling. In this in between time of anticipation, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit, again and again. May I receive Your power, and be Your witness, as you have instructed and promised.
~~~