Restoration in the biblical context refers to the act of God bringing back His people, creation, or an individual to a former or intended state of wholeness, purity, and relationship with Him. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating God's redemptive plan for humanity and the world.

In the Old Testament, restoration often pertains to the nation of Israel. After periods of disobedience and exile, God promises to restore Israel to their land and renew their covenant relationship with Him. For instance, in Jeremiah 30:17, God declares, "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares."

The concept of restoration is also evident in the prophetic books, where the promise of a future restoration is linked to the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks of the Anointed One who will "bind up the brokenhearted" and "proclaim liberty to the captives," signifying a spiritual and physical restoration.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate restoration. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He restores the broken relationship between God and humanity. Acts 3:21 refers to Jesus as the one "whom heaven must receive until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets."

Restoration is not only a future hope but also a present reality for believers. Through repentance and faith in Christ, individuals experience personal restoration. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"

Purpose

Purpose in the biblical sense refers to the divine intention and plan that God has for His creation and for each individual. It is rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign and has a specific design for the world and for human life.

The Bible reveals that God's ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself and to establish His kingdom. Ephesians 1:11-12 states, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory."

For humanity, purpose is intricately connected to being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This implies that humans are created to reflect God's character and to steward His creation. Ecclesiastes 12:13 summarizes human purpose succinctly: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

In the New Testament, purpose is further clarified through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to follow Christ, live out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), and bear fruit in keeping with repentance (John 15:8). Romans 8:28 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

The Apostle Paul exemplifies a life lived with divine purpose, as seen in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

Ultimately, the purpose of every believer is to know God, to enjoy Him forever, and to make Him known to others, aligning their lives with His eternal plan.