Before the ascension, the disciples were ready for Jesus to restore the Kingdom to Israel immediately. Jesus reminded them that restoration was in the realm of God’s timing. Yet, they were about to experience the true power and authority of the Kingdom in the outpoured Spirit. While we pray, “Thy Kingdom come,” we are to live the Kingdom now in the power and authority of the Spirit. This is because the life of the King of the Kingdom is now enthroned in us. Jesus is saying that what the future Kingdom will look like is what we are to be living in the present.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 (ESV)
