While studying about God’s dealings with the Jews and with the nations, I enjoyed intriguing thoughts about a passage from Acts 3:18-20, and I want to share them:

But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.

Peter is in the midst of a sermon in which he stated on at least three occasions (verses 13, 14, 15) that the “men of Israel” (verse 12) disowned (and, in fact, put to death) the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet in verse 18, he clearly stated they were acting in ignorance.  They did not commit deicide.  Instead, God allowed the sacrifice of His Son to fulfill prophecy!  (Verse 18)

Then, Peter declared the rightful response in verse 19: Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out!  Isn’t it good to know that the God of glory paid a redemptive price so that sins may be blotted out (wiped away)?  But don’t miss the point here: He did it for the Jews!

He goes on to say that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, AND that He may send Jesus, the Christ, appointed for you (NASB).  Repentance brings about times of refreshing!  (O, don’t we long for that in our own country these days!)

The death of Jesus was not “Plan B!”  God planned it before the foundation of the world!  (Revelation 13:8 NKJV)   It is “Plan A” for both Jews and Gentiles, so that repentance and refreshing can come!   Miraculously, repentance is also the trigger mechanism for the return of Jesus!

Ezekiel 36 and 37 explain God’s marvelous plan to bring the Jews home, which is occurring in the relatively newborn (since 1948) nation of Israel.  Once in each chapter (36:28 and 37:23), following lengthy assurances that He will bring them back to their land, the Lord clearly states to them: “I will be your God!”  Repentance is coming and He will totally restore His people!  They will be His and He will be theirs.

Right now, the King is bringing His people home.  (Physically, right now. Spiritually, once they recognize Him as Messiah.)  However, one day, the Jewish people will bring the King home:

For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
~Matthew 23:39

At long last, once repentance and refreshing have come, the Jewish people will proclaim “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” and the King will arrive.  Jewish eyes will be open, they will recognize Him as Messiah, and all Israel will be saved! (Romans 11:26)

There will be national salvation for Israel.  However, every single person…Jew or Gentile…is responsible for personal salvation with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus the Messiah.  Personal salvation comes to us exactly as Peter preached that day in Solomon’s portico: by repentance.

God’s message of salvation is exactly the same for both Jews and Gentiles.

If you don’t know King Jesus personally, you simply must.  The penalty for denial is eternal death in hell (a place meant for Satan and his demons).  The reward of salvation is eternal life with Jesus.

Click here to find out how to know Jesus Christ personally.  Or, if you are Jewish and wish to hear about the Messiah from fellow Jews, please click here.

Blessings and salvation to all in the Name of Yeshua!