The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Basic Story of Life, #4

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21—NIV)

The appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth was one such period of time. The return of the Lord Jesus from Heaven will be another opportunity for restoration and reviving. In between the two appearings of Christ there have been, and yet will be, particular aspects of restoration and opportunities for "whoever will" to avail himself or herself of desired attainments in the Lord.

Some people take advantage of the available opportunities while others do not. Some choose the good part, as did Mary, and listen to the Lord while He is available. Others, as Martha, are unable to understand and grasp the incredible opportunities that the God of Heaven unexpectedly presents to us.

No doubt there were many good housewives in Jerusalem and Capernaum who complained because of the dust stirred up as this Jesus of Nazareth and His followers kept going back and forth in front of their houses.

How must they have felt years later when they came to understand the Teacher from Nazareth was the Glory of Israel who dwelled between the golden wings of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle!

What would you have done? Would you have complained about the dust? Or would you have cried out, My Lord and my God?

You would have done what you are doing today. For either you are complaining about the dust on your furniture, so to speak, or else your life is centered on the Lord Jesus regardless of the inconveniences that arise as you serve Him.

There always is a "present truth" (II Peter 1:12). There always is a glorious revelation of Christ available to the persistent seeker.

A wonderful part of the work of restoration is taking place today because we are close to the return of the Lord Jesus. Those who are forsaking all else in order to press into Christ are discovering the hour in which we are living is one of unprecedented glory. The Kingdom is ready for the possessing, and it will be given to whoever will choose to cooperate with the Lord.

All true revival comes down from the Presence of the Lord God of Heaven. Christ is coming to us as the "latter rain" as a prelude to His majestic flaming forth in the clouds of heaven.

The heavens will hold the Lord Jesus until the time comes for filling the entire earth with the Glory of God. We see from the Scriptures that portray the end of the present age, that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ will be the climax of several powerful Divine acts of reviving and restoring.

Much restoration remains to be accomplished before the Lord Jesus returns. First, and most important of all, the Body of Christ must be built up to fullness of stature in preparation for the coming down of the Head from Heaven.

To be continued.