The title of this Blog clearly shows that Jesus' Apostle's had understanding of the Kingdom that was promised to be restored in Israel. All of Jesus' Apostles preached the Kingdom message to Israel for 3 1/2 years. Jews of that day and hour were familiar with the Promised Kingdom in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms. In fact, Israel was more familiar with the restoration of the Kingdom in Israel, than the crucifixion of Christ. That's why they asked the question, Acts 1:6...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
Let's go back to 40-50 days after the crucifixion of Christ. The Kingdom message had been sown in Israel for 3 1/2 years. Only few Jews received the Kingdom message which confirmed Jesus' parable of the sower and the seed. Only few were those who received the King and the Kingdom message as the message fell on good soil and produced a few good plants. As taught in the parable - the nation of Israel as a whole, rejected the King and the Kingdom message that clearly showed that the majority of Israel was not going to accept the Messiahship of Christ. Many Old Testament Prophecies (12) teach that Christ would be the stone that the builders rejected. Glory! Today Christ is the head of the Church that He purchased with His own blood!
Ps 118:22-23...The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
The time frame between Calvary and Pentecost was 50 days. The Kingdom in Israel was not restored but "postponed" by God until after the Rapture of the Church. The Church was birthed through the suffering and death of our Savior! The Apostles had witnessed the crucifixion of Christ. The Apostles remembered the message changing from the Kingdom of Heaven to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In the latter part of Jesus' ministry Jesus began to tell how it was necessary for Him to go suffer, die, and be resurrected. This revelation was peculiar to the Apostles as they were even vague about the Kingdom being restored in Israel. There was much doubt and unbelief going on at that day and hour...just like today. After Jesus was crucified and put in a tomb, He rose from the grave. He showed people the pierce marks in his hands. He walked among men and ate honeycomb and fish. These people actually witnessed a crucified and risen Christ.
Luke 24:40-43...And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.
Luke beautifully describes the crucified and risen Christ where Christ goes on to say...
Luke 24:49...And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Christ told the Apostles to tarry in Jerusalem until they were "endued" with power. They didn't understand what power He was talking about! Again, its important to realize what kind of understanding these Jewish Apostles had about Christ's earthly ministry and then His death and resurrection. The reason the Apostles asked in Acts 1:6...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel is because they thought the enduement of power that Christ instructed them to tarry for in Jerusalem was the "Restoration of the Kingdom in Israel". Being Jewish and having revelation of the Kingdom in Israel these Apostles understood more about restoration of the Earth than restoration of the inner man...which Pentecost actually dealt with.
That's why the Apostles asked in Acts 1:6...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel
They recognized the promised Kingdom on Earth because they were enlightened to it during the ministry of our Lord. Most Jews were enlightened to it because it was the majority of Prophetic truth in the Old Testament records. There are far more prophecies concerning the Kingdom being restored than the crucifixion of Christ. If more people today were enlightened to the Kingdom restored in Israel, many would have a better understanding of God's Word and there would be far less confusion in the name of Christianity.
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