Quotable

The church was never given the task of establishing an earthly kingdom. After spending 40 days with their risen Lord, during which time He spoke to them “of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts:1:3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
See All...), the disciples knew the right question to ask: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (v. 6). The italicized words set forth four simple truths: 1) It is Christ (thou), not the church, who will do this special work; 2) it will be done at a future time predetermined by the Father (v. 7); 3) a kingdom which once was will be restored; and 4) the restoration will be to Israel (not to the church) of a kingdom it once had. The church has nothing to do with any of it.

—Dave Hunt