Bible Question:

Could you expound on the connection of Acts 1:3-7 and Revelation 20:1-6? Jesus seems to refer to the Day of Pentecost in Acts and the Millennial Kingdom in Revelation.

Bible Answer:

In Acts 1:3 the Holy Spirit tells us that Jesus was speaking to His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Jesus talked about the kingdom (Matthew 4:17) throughout His ministry (Mark 9:1, 47; 10:14-15, 23-25; 12:34; 14:25) and Acts indicates that He was talking about it even after His death. It was also John the Baptist’s message (Matthew 3:2). The crowds were looking for the kingdom to come and so were the disciples. Jesus never discouraged their expectation for a literal, earthly kingdom.

But there was also a spiritual aspect to the kingdom. Please visit “How many kingdoms are there?” for more information. Jesus frequently, talked about the kingdom of heaven in such terms in Matthew 13 and in other passages. Why? Because some day they will merge together and become one. Today, when the believers who follow Jesus Christ die, they go to heaven. They will remain there until the earthly kingdom appears. Some day in the future, those who are in heaven will become part of the earthly kingdom and reign together with Jesus Christ (Matt 19:28; Rev 20:6).

In Acts 1:3, the disciples were looking for an earthly kingdom and Jesus did not discourage them and say that there was no future kingdom. Instead, He indicated that the kingdom was still future as is further indicated in Acts 1:6-7. In Acts 1:6-7, the disciples asked Jesus when He was going to restore the kingdom and Jesus essentially said, “You will have to wait.”

Conclusion

One day there will also be a physical, earthly kingdom that lasts for a short period of time.

Suggested Links:

How many kingdoms are there in the Bible?
Why does Jesus say that the kingdom of heaven/kingdom of God is in your midst?
Thy Kingdom Come
Are the kingdom of God and kingdom of Heaven the same?
The King Reigns!
Searching for God