As the Day of Pentecost was about to arrive, the disciples of Christ Jesus were going through an inner and turbulent period themsleves. I'm not talking about any type of physical hardships, rather getting "stuff straight in their minds and hearts."
During Jesus time on earth, Israel and particularly Jerusalem had been through some traumatic change and as a result the coming of the Messiah to the Jewish people was of a high priority, with the thoughts of His arrival bringing these changes: the destruction of all Roman authority and its influence and restoring Israel to its former lifestyle, that being...as it was in the days of King David and his son King Solomon.
To a Jewish person during the time of Christ Jesus appearance, the Messiah would reign as Prince and Conqueror over the land of Israel, and the Jewish nation would be free from any Roman Authority and a return to a true Jewish lifestyle. That would be...the True Messiah of Jerusalem!
Herod, who had been appointed by Rome to be "king over Judea", had brought major changes to Jerusalem including a tremendous overhaul of the city itself. He had made Jerusalem much larger, had increased the size of the Temple, and the monumentous construction is still admired by those today.
Also, Greeks with their Hellenisitc philosophies and much wealth now lived in the upper part of Jerusalem, and their influence on the Jewish way of worship had deeply changed the very heirarchy of the Temple priesthood itself.
Herod's lifestyle was very abhorrent to the Jewish belief, at one point Herod having 2 of his own sons killed. Even from Rome, Caesar Augustus comment has echoed through history of Herod and his atrocities: " It is better to be Herod's pig, then to be his own children."
The hatred between the Romans and the Jewish people had been festering for a while when Jesus arrived on earth, the Temple itself having been renovated by Herod and now displaying the famous "Roman Eagle" in front was symbolic of the immense hatred one had for another.
There is much history to study as to the Roman conquests of the nation of Israel, as well as the internal breakdown of Jewish way of life due to the Greek influence and it Hellenistic views of gods and customs.
In Acts 1:6-8, these verses identify what were in the thoughts of the disciples. They had been with the Master for over 3 years, not once had He said He would take over Israel as a Messiah that would destroy Roman Authority or that He would take immediate possession of the land of Israel.
In fact, the entire New Testament is silent as to a national kingdom that would bring restoration to the land of Israel.
Along with that, it appears the disciples did not inquire if the whole train of thought concerning the future of Israel...was right. Restoration was pretty much a given...at least that is what His disciples thought.....
Gleanings from Acts 1:6-8
" While the apostles (that is to say "the original") were still with Jesus. they kept asking Him, even when they were together for the last time, "Lord, are You going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now? Is this "our time?"
Jesus answers them: " Look, you do not need to know the times and dates of events like this...timing is in the hands of the Father...He has that all fixed and reserved...that is not where your focus should be.
Here then is what you need to get straight in your minds and let your hearts be influenced in this matter: you are going to receive an Anointed Power, nothing like you have ever seen or heard, and this power, the Holy Spirit, will come inside of you, and redirect all your thoughts and motives on life.
This Holy Spirit will come upon you, He will be in you, and you will learn to depend and embrace His power. Now, when this happens, you will be witnesses...of Me, and you will find yourselves sharing with others about Me...in the same manner I have shared My Life...with you!
Furthermore, your witness of Me and who I really am...it won't stop in Jerusalem....it won't be only Israel that is to recieve who their Messiah really is....you will branch out...into Samaria...and you will find the message of who I am being carried out...to the very ends of the earth! And guess what!...this all starts with...you!"
During Jesus time on earth, Israel and particularly Jerusalem had been through some traumatic change and as a result the coming of the Messiah to the Jewish people was of a high priority, with the thoughts of His arrival bringing these changes: the destruction of all Roman authority and its influence and restoring Israel to its former lifestyle, that being...as it was in the days of King David and his son King Solomon.
Herod, who had been appointed by Rome to be "king over Judea", had brought major changes to Jerusalem including a tremendous overhaul of the city itself. He had made Jerusalem much larger, had increased the size of the Temple, and the monumentous construction is still admired by those today.
Also, Greeks with their Hellenisitc philosophies and much wealth now lived in the upper part of Jerusalem, and their influence on the Jewish way of worship had deeply changed the very heirarchy of the Temple priesthood itself.
Herod's lifestyle was very abhorrent to the Jewish belief, at one point Herod having 2 of his own sons killed. Even from Rome, Caesar Augustus comment has echoed through history of Herod and his atrocities: " It is better to be Herod's pig, then to be his own children."
The hatred between the Romans and the Jewish people had been festering for a while when Jesus arrived on earth, the Temple itself having been renovated by Herod and now displaying the famous "Roman Eagle" in front was symbolic of the immense hatred one had for another.
There is much history to study as to the Roman conquests of the nation of Israel, as well as the internal breakdown of Jewish way of life due to the Greek influence and it Hellenistic views of gods and customs.
In Acts 1:6-8, these verses identify what were in the thoughts of the disciples. They had been with the Master for over 3 years, not once had He said He would take over Israel as a Messiah that would destroy Roman Authority or that He would take immediate possession of the land of Israel.
In fact, the entire New Testament is silent as to a national kingdom that would bring restoration to the land of Israel.
Along with that, it appears the disciples did not inquire if the whole train of thought concerning the future of Israel...was right. Restoration was pretty much a given...at least that is what His disciples thought.....
Gleanings from Acts 1:6-8
" While the apostles (that is to say "the original") were still with Jesus. they kept asking Him, even when they were together for the last time, "Lord, are You going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now? Is this "our time?"
Jesus answers them: " Look, you do not need to know the times and dates of events like this...timing is in the hands of the Father...He has that all fixed and reserved...that is not where your focus should be.
Here then is what you need to get straight in your minds and let your hearts be influenced in this matter: you are going to receive an Anointed Power, nothing like you have ever seen or heard, and this power, the Holy Spirit, will come inside of you, and redirect all your thoughts and motives on life.
This Holy Spirit will come upon you, He will be in you, and you will learn to depend and embrace His power. Now, when this happens, you will be witnesses...of Me, and you will find yourselves sharing with others about Me...in the same manner I have shared My Life...with you!
Furthermore, your witness of Me and who I really am...it won't stop in Jerusalem....it won't be only Israel that is to recieve who their Messiah really is....you will branch out...into Samaria...and you will find the message of who I am being carried out...to the very ends of the earth! And guess what!...this all starts with...you!"
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