When one considers the total content of that remarkable chapter one cannot imagine how words could have made

any plainer the reality of this divine re-offer of the King and His kingdom to the nation of Israel. It may be objected

that the word `kingdom' does not occur, but the reality of it does in the phrase `the restoration of all things which

God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began' (Acts 3:19-22,24).

It is noteworthy that the Lord specifically foretold of such an offer in His earthly ministry. In parabolic form, a

certain king makes a wedding feast for his son (Matt. 22:1-7). Two invitations are sent out to those `who were

bidden'. The first one describes the ministry of John the Baptist and the Lord and the result was `they would not

come'. The second one announced that the feast was `prepared', `the oxen and fatlings killed' and `all things were

ready'. This sacrificial element clearly looks to the redemption accomplished by the Lord's death at Calvary and the

ministry that followed during the Acts. Again the call is rejected with violent opposition following. `The remnant

took His servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them' (verses 5 and 6). This literally happened as the Acts

record clearly shows with imprisonment and death for the disciples and those associated with them. There is no

further invitation, but judgment falls. The king sends forth his armies, destroys the murderers and burns their city - a

prediction of the terrible destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Again in Luke 13:6-9 we have the parable of the barren fig tree. The people of Israel are likened in Scripture to

at least 3 trees, the fig, the olive, and the vine. The three years that the owner came seeking fruit from the fig tree is

a distinct reference to the three years of the Lord's public ministry to Israel. In their opposition and hardness of heart

they were indeed `barren', but instead of being cut down at the end of the three years the tree is given a further

`Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after

that thou shalt cut it down' (verses 8 and 9).

The respite and further opportunity to produce fruit corresponds to the re-offer of divine mercy in the Acts, but it is

not till the end of the book that the tree is `cut down', but not uprooted, otherwise Israel could have no future in

God's purpose. And Romans 11 assures us that He Who cut off `the branches' of Israel, can and will graft them in

again (verses 23,24) at His appointed time which will be at the Second Advent of Christ, when the `Deliverer shall

come out of Sion and turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Israel)', for `the gifts and calling of God are without

repentance' (i.e. change of mind on His part, verse 29).

Thus we see that both figuratively and literally, the Acts period is a further opportunity for Israel to repent and

turn back to God and then her divine destiny would have been fulfilled in the bringing in of the mediatorial

In Luke's record of the Acts there are some 30 specific miracles recorded, many of them being as spectacular as

those contained in the four Gospels. Not only this but there are at least nine statements concerning the prevalence of

miracles during this period.

`Many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles' (2:43).

`By the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people' (5:12).

`... they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of

Peter passing by might overshadow some of them ... and they were healed every one' (5:15,16).

`And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people' (6:8 A.S.V.).

`The people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles

which he did' (8:6).

`The Lord ... granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands' (Paul and Barnabas 14:3).

`Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and

wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them' (15:12).