The word restitution in Acts 3:19-21, means “to restore” back to its original condition. What is to be restored? What did mankind lose from the fall of Adam? LIFE and HEALTH. Ezekiel 18:20 reads, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” Additionally, man lost his RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, and DOMINION OVER THE ANIMALS AND THE EARTH.—Gen. 3:8-11,17-19,23
Nevertheless, we learn that, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) Divine justice required a perfect human life, the man Christ Jesus, to sacrifice that life, to ransom mankind from what they inherited—sin and death from the disobedience of Adam. John 3:17 tells us, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Our Lord was raised from the dead by the Heavenly Father that he might apply the merit of his sacrifice on man’s behalf. Additionally, he was seated on God’s throne and became the head of his body, the church, for the purpose of restoring the human family back to what was lost in his coming earthly kingdom.—Rom. 4:25; Eph. 1:20-23; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 14:1; Col. 1:18
“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Cor. 15:22,23) In Jesus’ kingdom, “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” (John 5:28) At that time mankind will be restored to health and dwell in a perfect environment because Satan will be bound for a thousand years. (Isa. 35:5-10; Rev. 20:1-3) Then, mankind will learn righteousness and obedience, and have an opportunity to rebuild that relationship with God because God will have all men to “come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) “All will know the Lord from the least to the greatest.” (Heb. 8:11) Then, it will be up to each individual to learn obedience and regain the perfection that was lost. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”—Rev 21:4
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