Restoring Israel's Kingdom

As they stood there on the Mount of Olives – knowing that their Messiah was about to depart from them – what mattered most to these men? What was the last question they asked of their Teacher?

Do we – those who, today, claim to be the followers of Israel’s Messiah – even bother to ask the question that mattered to His chosen twelve?

With olive groves serving as a backdrop, these fathers of our faith asked the King of Israel, “Lord is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

Why did Yeshua’s disciples – who had been trained by Him fro more than three years – ask this particular question? Could it be because He had taught them to pray to our Father in Heaven, “Thy Kingdom come, on earth, as it is in Heaven…”? (Matthew 6:10).

Are we a people who are looking to help bring Yeshua’s Kingdom here – to this earth? Or, have we lost sight of the vision that burned in the hearts of Yeshua’s first disciples? As part of His “chosen people” (1 Peter 1:1; 2:9), have we lost sight of what should be our ultimate goal? For that matter, have we lost sight of our heritage – as part of the people of Israel? Could we be part of the Ephraimite people so long ago blinded to the truth of their Israelite roots? (Genesis 48:19; Hosea 1-2; 8:8; Amos 9:9).

Even as Judah is beginning to see the Messiah, is the veil likewise being lifted from our “partially blinded” Israelite eyes? Do we belong to Israel’s “olive tree” in a greater way than previously imagined? (Isaiah 8:14; Romans 11:25; Jeremiah 31:18-19; 11:10, 16; 2:18, 21). Is that why we are feeling a longing in our hearts for “something more”?

Do we now feel a hunger deep within because the “set time” to restore Israel’s Kingdom is upon us?

If so, are we properly prepared to work toward that goal?