utterance of Christ on earth is in Acts 1: 7 and 8, where His words give

assurance that, whatever the answer may be to their question concerning the

time of Israel's restoration, all was well, for all was in their Father's

hands.  Their part was to witness faithfully, even though `Israel be not

gathered'.  Their enduement included a witness to `the end of the earth'.

What the Lord did not say to the disciples in so many words is very vividly

brought before the mind by the event that immediately followed:

`And having said these things, as they beheld, He was taken up, and a

cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked

steadfastly towards heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them

in white apparel: which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye

gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into

heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into

heaven' (Acts 1:9-11).

Further questioning concerning the hope of Israel is thus referred to

the Second Coming.  The words, `shall so come in like manner', would make the

apostles realize, not only that the restoration of the kingdom to Israel

would take place when Daniel 7 was fulfilled:

`I saw ... One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven ...

and there was given Him dominion' (Dan. 7:13,14),

but that the angel's statement also had Zechariah 14:4 in view:

`And His feet shall

stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which

is before Jerusalem

on the east' (Zech. 14:4).

`Then returned they

unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which

is from Jerusalem a

sabbath day's journey' (Acts 1:12).

In both the `restoration' is in view:

`Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?'

(Acts 1:6).

`The times of restitution (restoration R.V.) of all things, which God

hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world

began' (Acts 3:21).

(ii)  In both there is the possibility that Israel would not be

restored immediately:

`It is not for you to know the times or the seasons' (Acts 1:7).

`Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted

out' (Acts 3:19).

In both the Second Coming of the Lord is prominent:

`This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him

go into heaven' (Acts 1:11).

`He shall send Jesus Christ ... Whom the heaven must receive until the

times of restitution' (Acts 3:20,21).