The End

will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the

last days.”

The first sentence refers to their present kingless state; the

second, of their restoration. The Israelites will be purged of

their dross and then restored as they were in days of old (Isa.

1:25,26). Zephaniah, who speaks of the day of the Lord (Zeph.

1:14), promises,

“‘At that time I will gather you… when I re-

store your fortunes before your very eyes,’ says the Lord”

(Zeph. 3:20). Jeremiah 16 also speaks of the latter days, and

refers to the combination of wrath, followed by restoration.

The Scriptures associate this day of the Lord (“that day”)

with rest:

“In that day…his place of rest will be glorious”

(Isa

11:10). In the 3rd chapter of Acts, the Apostle Peter explains

to the men of Israel that they had killed the author of life, but

that God had raised Him from the dead. He added,

“Now,

brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your lead-

ers. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through

all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent,

then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,

that times of refreshing [restoration] may come from the Lord,

and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for

you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time

comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago

through his holy prophets”

(Acts 3:17-21).

It is important to note that Christ is to remain in heaven

(His place, Hosea 5:15) until the time comes to restore every-

thing (the raising up, or restoration, spoken of in Hosea 6:2).