Topical Encyclopedia The "Time of Restitution of All Things" is a significant eschatological concept found within the Christian Scriptures, particularly in the New Testament. This period is understood as a future time when God will restore creation to its intended glory and order, as originally designed before the fall of humanity. The phrase is primarily derived from Acts 3:21, where the Apostle Peter speaks of Jesus Christ, "whom heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began" .Biblical Context and Meaning The concept of restitution, or restoration, is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's redemptive plan for humanity and creation. The Greek word used in Acts 3:21 for "restitution" is "apokatastasis," which implies a restoration to a former state or condition. This period is anticipated as a time when God's promises, as declared through the prophets, will be fulfilled, bringing about a renewal of all things. Prophetic Foundations The Old Testament prophets frequently spoke of a future time when God would restore Israel and establish His kingdom on earth. For instance, Isaiah 65:17-25 envisions a new heavens and a new earth, where peace and righteousness prevail. Similarly, Ezekiel 37 speaks of the restoration of Israel, symbolized by the vision of the dry bones coming to life. These prophetic visions are seen as precursors to the ultimate restitution that will occur at the end of the age. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the concept of restitution is closely linked to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The Apostle Peter, in his sermon in Acts 3, connects the time of restitution with the return of Jesus, emphasizing that this period will fulfill what God has promised through His prophets. This restoration is not limited to Israel but extends to all creation, as indicated in Romans 8:19-21, where Paul speaks of creation eagerly awaiting liberation from its bondage to decay. Theological Implications The time of restitution is a cornerstone of Christian eschatology, underscoring the hope of believers in the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. It affirms the belief that history is moving towards a divinely ordained climax, where evil will be vanquished, and God's perfect order will be established. This period is anticipated with great hope and expectation, as it signifies the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the realization of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Practical Significance for Believers For Christians, the promise of the restitution of all things serves as a source of encouragement and motivation to live faithfully in the present age. It assures believers that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) and that their ultimate hope lies in the future restoration that God has promised. This hope inspires a life of holiness, service, and witness, as believers anticipate the coming of the Lord and the renewal of all things. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 3:21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ... The Doctrine of the Last Things. Of the Three Woe Trumpets. Prolegomena. The Situation after the Council of Nic??a. The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) On the Soul and the Resurrection. The Anglican Reform Papal Tombs. The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Resources Does the Bible say anything about the possibility of time travel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Esther was appointed “for such a time as this”? | GotQuestions.org What is the time of Jacob's trouble? | GotQuestions.org Time: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Time in Prophetic Language, Means a Prophetic Year, or 360 Natural Time: All Events of, Predetermined by God Time: All God's Purposes Fulfilled in Due Time Time: Computed by Hours, After the Captivity Time: Daniel's Reckoning of Time, and Times, and Half Times Time: Division of, Into Watches Time: Epochs of Before the Flood Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Accession of Kings Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Building of the Temple Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Nativity of the Patriarchs During the Patriarchal Age Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Captivity Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Exodus from Egypt Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Jubilee Time: One Day is Like One-Thousand Years Time: Part of a Period of, Usually Counted As the Whole Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Accepted Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Ancient Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Evil Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Healing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Need Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Reformation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Refreshing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Restitution of all Things Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Temptation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Trouble Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Visitation Time: Shortness of Man's Portion of Time: should be Spent in Fear of God Time: The Duration of the World Time: The Heavenly Bodies, Appointed As a Means for Computing Time: The Measure of the Continuance of Anything Time: The Sun-Dial Early Invented for Pointing Out Related Terms |