Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Acts 3:19-21 (ESV)
This is a portion of Peter’s sermon to the crowd that gathered after the healing of a lame man at the temple. He called on the people listening to him to repent and turn back to God. These were faithful Jews who had come to the temple to worship. They surely felt like they did not need to repent and turn back to God.
But Peter accused them of killing Jesus, the Author of Life. Their Messiah had come to them. But they rejected Him and had Him put to death. Peter acknowledged that they had acted in ignorance, and that what had happened had been foretold by God in the words of the prophets.
But if they would repent and turn back to God, their sins would be blotted out. Not only would their sins be forgiven, but the presence of the Lord would bring times of refreshing. They would experience a new heart and mind.
When the Time Was Right
Peter then told them that God would send their Messiah, Jesus. He had come once. But he was currently residing in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God. He would come when the time was right. The time for restoring all things God had spoken through the prophets of old.
What were those things that would be restored? The disciples had asked Jesus just a few days prior if He was now going to restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). This was a common theme among the prophets. Israel had gone into exile because of their failure to obey their covenant with God. But there would be a time of restoration.
But that time of restoration was not just for the Jews. Jeremiah 12:14-17, among many other passages, included Israel’s neighbors in that restoration. When the time is right, Jesus will return and restore the kingdom. An eternal kingdom that will include all those who have put their trust and faith in Jesus as Lord.
