|
Title: Acts 3v19 The Times of Refreshing Post by: TrevorL on April 01, 2005, 05:21:20 AM Acts 3:19-21 (KJV): "19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
My favourite verse is Acts 3:19, and specifically the phrase "the times of refreshing". I consider v21 explains or expands this phrase of refreshing from v19. Living in Australia we are conscious of summer heat and drought. This particular verse came to my attention during the severe summer two years ago, when we had drought and many destructive bushfires. By contrast the recent summer has been mild and refreshing and the fruit trees and crops have had the best season for many years. This "natural" contrast of heat, drought with mild weather, rain, growth, fruit is like the present heat, dryness, wilderness, even fires of our present pilgramge contrasted with the coming blessing when Christ returns to establish his kingdom upon this earth, when he will bring times of joy and peace and righteousness, that is times of refreshing. Peter when he uses the term "refreshing" alludes to many OT prophecies. One example, David's last words show how his heart was set on this future reign of Christ in 2 Sam.23:3-7: There shall be a ruler over mankind A righteous one Ruling in the fear of God And as the brightness of the morning He shall rise the Sun of an unclouded dawn Shining forth after rain upon the tender grass out of the earth. Kind regards Trevor |