“That He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets from the past age.” Acts 3:20-21.
“Times of restitution.” Peter also spoke about “times of refreshing coming from the presence of the Lord.” Many are looking for a wholesale rapture of all Christians, followed by something diametrically opposite to “refreshment” and “restitution.” But here we are presented with information which we are required to believe, because it has been the message of all God’s prophets from past times.
The last of God’s earlier prophets was Malachi, and his final word was this. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal:4:4-6. Elijah has yet to come, and his work will be that of restitution, restoration, and reconciliation, exactly as Peter said.
Our Lord upheld this when He said, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” Matt.17:11.
Therefore the coming of the Lord will be accompanied by refreshing days, times of restoration. Some may ask, “What about the great tribulation?” But when Jesus came the first time, didn’t He bring times of restoration, healing, and much teaching? Didn’t countless people share in His times of refreshment? But what was the result? A great tribulation descended on Him, and they put Him to death.
Our Scripture from Acts 3 implies that there will be something parallel to Joseph’s seven good years before the lean days come, years of great revival, times of much teaching, healing, and cleansing of the earth from evil, violence, lies and deception.
