Has Restitution Begun?. We agree that the Lord has returned and is overruling the affairs of the world to bring in the full establishment of the Kingdom

Has Restitution Begun?


• We agree that the Lord has returned and is overruling the affairs of the world to bring in the full establishment of the Kingdom.



• What do we call that work?



• What do we call that work?

• Restitution or Preparations for Restitution

Bro. Russell Has Expressed It Both Ways

• “Let no reader hastily conclude that there are no evidences of restitution about us…” (B197)



• There were evidences of restitution when he wrote those words in 1889.



• There were evidences of restitution when he wrote those words in 1889.

• “As soon as the foreordained number of the elect are glorified, the present age and it’s objects will have ended. Then the restitution work will begin…” (R. 5838 written in 1916)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Whom the heavens must receive (Diaglott-“retain”) until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”Acts 3:19-21

Jesus would not return until “the times of restitution.”

Definition of “Times”


• “Times” = “Chronos.” (as in chronometer) Webster defines chronometer as, “an instrument that measures time precisely; specifically a clock or watch of the highest possible accuracy.”



• “Kairos”



• “Kairos”

• Acts 1:7 – “… It is not for you to know the times and seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”


Times = “Chronos” Seasons = “Kairos” “Chronos expresses the duration of a period,

Kairos stresses it as marked by certain features; thus in Acts 1:7, “the Father has set within his own authority both the times (chronos), or the lengths of the periods, and the seasons (kairos), or the epochs characterized by certain events… Chronos marks quantity, kairos marks quality” (Vines Dictionary)


• Chronos and Kairos occur together two times in the Septuigent, in Dan. 2:21 and Eccl. 3:1

“To everything there is a season, (kairos) and a time (chronos) to every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1)


• Chronos and Kairos occur together two times in the Septuigent, in Dan. 2:21 and Eccl. 3:1

“To everything there is a season, (kairos) and a time (chronos) to every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1)

• The purposes of God have both a set time and a specific function


• In Acts 3:21 the word chronos is used, which is emphasizing the time period. It would seem meaningless to emphasize the time period of restitution if restitution did not occur throughout that span of time.



• “Bro. Russell rewords Acts 3:21 to say, “The years of Restitution.” (R. 413)



• “Bro. Russell rewords Acts 3:21 to say, “The years of Restitution.” (R. 413)

• Chronos is a precise word that points to the time period where restitution would occur.

A Connection Between Acts 1:6,7 and Acts 3:21

• “…Will thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for them to know the times and seasons…”

(Acts 1:6,7)



(Acts 1:6,7)



(Acts 1:6,7)• Part of restitution is the putting back in order

of the nation of Israel.



(Acts 1:6,7)• Part of restitution is the putting back in order

of the nation of Israel.

• If we can connect the restoration of Israel as part of the restitution work, then it is a simple matter to say that the restitution work has begun, in fulfillment of prophecy.


“This restitution is mentioned by all the prophets. Some refer to one feature and some to another. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel tell much more of the restoration of fleshly Israel to favor and to their own land. This, which is part of the general restitution, a slight beginning, is already commencing.” R. 412


Acts 15:14-17 Ties the Re-birth of Israel with Restitution

“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:That the residue of men might seek after the Lord…”










• “…the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seeds…” (Amos 9:13)



• The work of restoring Israel occurs while the reaping of the Gospel Age is coming to an end and the plowing of the time of trouble commences.



• The work of restoring Israel occurs while the reaping of the Gospel Age is coming to an end and the plowing of the time of trouble commences.

• The restoring of Israel begins during the harvest

Establishing the Avenue of Blessing is Part of the Restitution Work


• Israel, the earthly seed being re-gathered



• The heavenly seed being raised to life




• The New Jerusalem begins in heaven and comes down to earth (Rev. 21:2)




• The New Jerusalem begins in heaven and comes down to earth (Rev. 21:2)

• Dan. 2:44 - “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.”

Can restitution begin before the application of the ransom merit?


• We use the words “ransom and restitution” together to properly show the vital connection between them.



• The resurrection of mankind, as well as the New Covenant, cannot begin without the application of blood.



• The resurrection of mankind, as well as the New Covenant, cannot begin without the application of blood.

• But there are some works of restitution that can, on legal grounds, begin before the application of the ransom.


“Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it to him.” Ezek. 21:26


“Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it to him.” Ezek. 21:26


• The diadem, and crown are symbols of authority and dominion.



• “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18




• He was given the right to earth’s dominion at the First Advent.




• He was given the right to earth’s dominion at the First Advent.

• He returns at the Second Advent possessing that legal right. (Luke 19:12)


• By exercising his right to the dominion of earth he began the process that will eventually restore dominion back to mankind.



• That aspect of restitution does not require the application of the ransom.




• Restitution is anything that contributes to the work of re-establishing the bond between God & man.




• Restitution is anything that contributes to the work of re-establishing the bond between God & man.

• Claiming dominion and establishing the avenue of blessing is part of that work

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Has Restitution Begun?. We agree that the Lord has returned and is overruling the affairs of the world to bring in the full establishment of the Kingdom