Is Now the Time?

Missiles, ceasefires, protests, terrorism, war. When conflict erupts in and around Israel and blame begins to fly from every direction, certain questions resurface in the minds of believers: Is now the time?

It is a good question. It is perhaps the most human question we can ask. In fact, one of the final questions asked of the risen Messiah was this: “Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

Restoration is a question of “When” not “Whether”

Notice carefully what the disciples asked. Their question was not if restoration would come, but when. Acts 1:6 assumed the kingdom would be restored to Israel. After receiving forty days of teaching concerning the Kingdom of God, their question remained, “Is it now?” Jesus did not rebuke the expectation. Instead, he said the timing was not for them to know. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)

It is human to want timelines, but His response calls for trust. It is hard to wait, but He wants faithfulness. However, the question is not a bad one. In asking, they revealed that expectation for Israel’s restoration stretches into the New Testament. The hope of restoration had not disappeared.

Restoration is an Old Testament thing

The language of restoration did not begin with Acts 1:6. Moses spoke of a future national regathering and permanent restoration after dispersion in Deuteronomy 30. Jeremiah wrote that God would bring them out of banishment and into restoration, restoring them to the land. In Ezekiel 39 the Lord says, “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel.” Amos described ruined cities rebuilt and vineyards planted once again. These examples show restoration is both spiritual and physical.

Restoration is not for something new

You don’t restore something that works. Restoration itself requires that something is first broken. The promise of restoration was not for the church. At the beginning of Acts, we see the beginning of the Church. You don’t need to restore something which is new. The restoration of Israel and the blessing of the Gentiles are not competing ideas. They meet in Messiah.

Restoration is for something broken

Therefore, Peter’s words in Acts 3 are so important. After Pentecost (Heb. Shavuot) Peter calls Israel to repent so that “times of refreshing” may come and so that God may send the Messiah again. Peter then speaks of the “restoration of all things” which God foretold by the prophets. The restoration language in Acts supports continuity with Old Testament national promises. The theme of restoration stretches deep into covenant promises and prophetic hope.

Restoration is ahead

The restoration described in Scripture is both national and cosmic. It includes Israel, but it does not stop there. The prophets envisioned a renewed world where creation itself flourishes under the reign of Messiah. Isaiah 11 describes harmony in nature itself. Romans 8 speaks of creation groaning for liberation from decay.

The biblical story does not end with escape from the world, but with the renewal of it. God restores what sin has fractured. Hearts are restored. People are restored. Israel is restored. Even creation itself is restored.

And this matters deeply in moments like ours. Every siren, every rocket, every grieving parent reminds us that the world is not yet as it should be. But Scripture calls us to live with expectation, not despair. The same God who promised restoration in ages past has not forgotten His word.

So, when believers ask, “Is now the time?”, we ask alongside the apostles. They were asking the right question, but it was not yet time. And while we may not know the timing, we do know this: The King is coming, His promises remain, and restoration is still ahead.

Israel Today Ministries feeds children and Holocaust survivors in Israel.  Thank you for your prayers and partnership!

May God, bless you,

Scott Johnson

• Scott Johnson is a Senior Middle East Analyst, who lived and worked in the Middle East, and has degrees from Moody Bible Institute and the University of London. He an ITM Advisory Board member.