Restoration

How does the restoration of all things happen?

Acts 3:21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Matthew 17:11 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

We find indications in the Old Testament of how God transforms lives bringing them into complete alignment with His will. 

With the resurrection (so to speak) of Joseph, Jacob was on the way to the restoration of all things. 

Genesis 4:3-5 says:

3 And He saith, `I [am] God, God of thy father, be not afraid of going down to Egypt, for for a great nation I set thee there;

4 I -- I go down with thee to Egypt, and I -- I also certainly bring thee up, and Joseph doth put his hand on thine eyes.'

5 And Jacob riseth from Beer-Sheba, and the sons of Israel bear away Jacob their father, And their infants, and their wives, in the waggons which Pharaoh hath sent to bear him,

Jews believe that when Elijah comes, the accompanying restoration involves returning to God in such a way that all past sins become as positive mitsvot. I believe Jesus affirms this in His being the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

Another example is Abraham who was circumcised at 99 years old, and when he died, Genesis 25:7,8 describes it this way.

7 And these [are] the days of the years of the life of Abraham, which he lived, a hundred and seventy and five years;

8 and Abraham expireth, and dieth in a good old age, aged and satisfied, and is gathered unto his people.

It is understood by the rabbis that Abraham's age perfectly matched his years, which implies a fullness to life.

The way the Bible describes Sarah is being as beautiful at her age of death as she was at 20 and at 7. Jewish teachers believe Psalm 37:18 refers to her:

18 Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect, And their inheritance is -- to the age.

19 They are not ashamed in a time of evil, And in days of famine they are satisfied. 

The context implies not only the perfection but also the provision and protection of God's people.

Jews ask how Sarah could have been perfect when her life was cut short. There are many more things which can be said on the topic. For instance, the author of Hebrews describes how this happens in Christ, but the words of Jesus in Revelation clearly indicate how turning to Christ brings about the perfection God has for His people. Jesus said (Revelation 3) to the called-out ones:

“To the angel of the Messianic Community in Sardis, write: ‘Here is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know what you are doing — you have a reputation for being alive, but in fact you are dead! 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains, before it dies too! For I have found what you are doing incomplete in the sight of my God. 3 So remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and turn from your sin! For if you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief; and you don’t know at what moment I will come upon you. 4 Nevertheless, you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; and they will walk with me, clothed in white, because they are worthy. 5 He who wins the victory will, like them, be dressed in white clothing; and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life; in fact, I will acknowledge him individually before my Father and before his angels. 6 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’