One and the Same

 

In the beginning of Acts chapter one the writer describes what took place during the forty days after Yeshua’s resurrection, at which time the Messiah spoke daily to His disciples concerning the Kingdom of Elohim.  He then instructed “by the Holy Spirit” (1:2), those whom He chose, to not leave Jerusalem until they would receive what was promised.  In the minds of Yeshua’s followers the promise was not the Holy Spirit, as is evident from their question: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).     

Yeshua’s main teaching and instructions before and after His resurrection was related to the Kingdom of Elohim. Speaking to the masses, in the Sermon on the Mount, He stressed, “Seek first the Kingdom of Elohim” (Mathew 6:33).   His many followers, who at that time were not filled with the Spirit, could not comprehend the parables that He used to explain the great mystery of YHVH’s Kingdom, which had been in every generation (see Psalm 49:13).

The above-mentioned promise which was from the Father, was further proclaimed by Yeshua. He then reminded His disciples of his cousin John/Yochanan who immersed/baptized in water, but added that in a matter of a few days they would be immersed in the Holy Spirit (v. 5).  This statement most likely bewildered the disciples, as they had not yet made the connection between the Kingdom and the Spirit. The relationship, or linkage, between these two is still a mystery to many believers today, who are taught that Yeshua will set up His Kingdom when He returns, reinforcing the “disconnect” between the impartation of the Holy Spirit and YHVH’s dominion. Based on this viewpoint, it is assumed that what the prophets of old foretold about the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel would not be fulfilled until Yeshua’s return. 

Even before His death and resurrection Yeshua disclosed to His disciples that this power/authority of Elohim, that is the Holy Spirit, could not come to them unless He would go to the Father.  “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).  “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13). 

What are the things to come? In his sermon in Solomon’s porch, Peter gave a very clear answer to this question, when he spoke of Yeshua, “whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which Elohim has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).  In other words, Yeshua will not return until He finishes what was prophesied of Him, and that is to restore the House of Jacob and set up His everlasting Kingdom in that house (see Isaiah 49:6; Luke 1:32). This is precisely why Yeshua answered His disciples’ aforementioned question about the restoration of all things, in the manner that He did:

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  This power is the authority of the Kingdom made manifest in and by the Holy Spirit.  Paul defined this connection very precisely: “For the kingdom of Elohim is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17 emphases added).  A different aspect of the Kingdom-Spirit connection was brought out by Yeshua in the following statement: “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of Elohim, surely the kingdom of Elohim has come upon you” (Mathew 12:28 emphases added). 

One might say that where the Holy Spirit is, there is also the Kingdom of Elohim.  So let us take our Messiah’s advice and seek first His Kingdom/His Spirit, so that we may walk in the power of His presence being about His business of restoring and establishing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.