The reformation, regeneration and restitution of all things through Jesus Christ.
The reformation, regeneration and restitution of all things through Jesus Christ.
[Study Aired March 12, 2023]
In this article we will look at the meaning of the words reformationG1357, regenerationG3824 and restitutionG605, and how they apply to Christ and His body, which is the church (Eph 5:30).
There are many examples in the old covenant of the word restitution being used, however this is not the same word as the one used one time in the new covenant in (Act 3:21).
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitutionG605 of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
There are many old covenant examples of reformers most notably Moses, however they are all typical examples of the true reformer who is Jesus Christ.
The question I hope to answer with this study is what Christ was called to reform and to what end, as well as look at the old covenant types and shadows which point to the same conclusion as to what God was reforming both in the old covenant type and shadow reformation and in the new covenant reality to which the old covenant points.
For convenience sake I have put the definition of each of these highlighted words in these next lines along with the verses that they are found in respectively.
reformation G1357 found in [Heb 9:10]
G1357 diorthōsis dee-or’-tho-sis
From a compound of G1223 and a derivative of G3717, meaning to straighten thoroughly; rectification, that is, (specifically) the Messianic restoration: – reformation.
Total KJV occurrences: 1regeneration G3824 found in [Mat 19:28, Tit 3:5]
G3824 paliggenesia pal-ing-ghen-es-ee’-ah
From G3825 and G1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specifically Messianic restoration: – regeneration.
Total KJV occurrences: 2restitution G605 found in [Act 3:21]
G605 apokatastasis ap-ok-at-as’-tas-is
From G600; reconstitution: – restitution.
Total KJV occurrences: 1restitution H7999
H7999 shâlam shaw-lam’
A primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively to be (causatively make) completed; by implication to be friendly; by extension to reciprocate (in various applications): – make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace (-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper (-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, X surely.
Total KJV occurrences: 116
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Here is an outline of the verses we’re looking at today:
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformationG1357.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regenerationG3824 when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regenerationG3824, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitutionG605 of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
This word restitutionH7999 shows the figurative use of the idea of restitution in the old covenant which typifies the spiritual restitutionG605 spoken of in (Act 3:21) the natural preceding the spiritual (1Co 15:46). There are 107 entries for the word restitutionH7999 and here are a few examples to just make the point of what it means.
Exo 22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitutionH7999 H7999; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Exo 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitutionH7999 H7999.
Exo 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitutionH7999 H7999.Exo 22:12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitutionH7999 H7999 unto the owner thereof.
Job 20:18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitutionH7999 H7999 be, and he shall not rejoice therein.
Starting with our first verse in (Heb 9:10) where we see the sole entry of this word reformationG1357 and the context of the surrounding verses that show us what it is that is being reformed. Again that definition is:
reformationG1357
G1357 diorthōsis dee-or’-tho-sis
From a compound of G1223 and a derivative of G3717, meaning to straighten thoroughly; rectification, that is, (specifically) the Messianic restoration: – reformation.
Total KJV occurrences: 1
Below are verses that precede [Heb 9:10] and it’s important to notice that it is talking to Israel of old and the subject matter is the temple and how all those things represent what is happening now in the Israel of God where God’s spirit abides in His temple that we are (Gal 6:16, 1Co 3:16, Rom 8:9). Knowing that point brings these verses alive for God’s elect for whom they were written, and so God’s church the body of Christ is what is being spoken of in symbolic terms in these verses (Heb 9:1-10) concluding in verse ten with the thought that this is how reformation is accomplished within the church.
Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
The symbolic language being used in (Heb 9:5) demonstrates that the subject matter being reformed is talking about the body of Christ who are represented by the “cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat;”
Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Heb 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Heb 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Heb 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformationG1357.
The next two verses have the word regeneration in themG3824 [Mat 19:28, Tit 3:5].
RegenerationG3824 and reformationG1357 of [Heb 9:10] are very similar in meaning. The word reformationG1357 appears to be more connected to the typical items in the temple that are shadows of real events which are more clearly expressed in the word regenerationG3824 in these verses [Mat 19:28, Tit 3:5]. It makes me think of what the disciples said to Christ in this verse (Joh 16:29) “His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.” The more plain language that helps us understand what the reformation is, and who it is speaking of can be found in the word regenerationG3824 in these two verses:
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
This regeneration is specific to those who are being dragged to Christ in this life (Joh 6:44) and as (Mat 19:28) states it is not everyone who experiences this regeneration but rather “ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel“. So it is an ongoing process of being regenerated by God’s spirit that makes it possible for the elect to endure until the end and be found in the regeneration spoken of in (Mat 19:28). The verses in (Tit 3:5) speaks to the earnest of that relationship of being regenerated day by day, and the fullness of that event is describe with the same word in (Mat 19:28).
Those who are blessed to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6) will be judging those “twelve tribes of Israel” the twelve tribes being a shadow of the whole world. So this is a very clear way to show us two distinct groups one that is being judged now (1Pe 4:17) so that the rest of humanity can be judged in the great white throne judgement (Rev 20:11).
Here are the verses surrounding the next word that has a similar meaning to regeneration and reformation and that word is restitutionG605 which is found only once in (Act 3:21). The surrounding verses help develop the context and make clear that this word restitutionG605 is also talking about those who find that completed restitution in the first resurrection and not the second. If we are granted repentance in this life by God’s goodness (Act 3:19-24, Rom 2:4) it will lead to the restitution of all things. God spoke of this restitution through the prophets (Act 3:22) but they had not experienced it yet so again restitution is specific to those few (Mat 22:14) who are experiencing this in this generation after the spirit of God was given on Pentecost.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Act 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Act 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Act 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed (1Co 3:15) from among the people.
Act 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
[Those who are blessed to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy of (Rev 1:3) are being contrasted here with those who will be saved yet so as by fire of (1Co 3:13-15), but the context is the restitution of all things which is specific to the body of Christ who are the foundation of God’s government that He will use to build the rest of His creation upon (Rev 11:15).]
If you look at these entries below for the other use of the word restitutionH7999, it is talking about very physical events that represent judgement in the earth.
Exo 22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitutionH7999 H7999; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Exo 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitutionH7999 H7999.
Exo 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitutionH7999 H7999.Exo 22:12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitutionH7999 H7999 unto the owner thereof.
Job 20:18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitutionH7999 H7999 be, and he shall not rejoice therein.
The word restitutionH7999 is more connected to the camp of Israel which is symbolic of the world and yet it is still an earlier shadow of those things God restores us from, the wood, the hay, and the stubble of our life so to speak. The word reformationG1357 is more connected to the court or our time in the churches of Babylon, and lastly regenerationG3824 is speaking more specifically of those who have been blessed to come to this point of being made ready to be in the first resurrection.
Seeing we are as Christ in this world (1Jn 4:17) it follows that once we reach that fulness of our relationship spoken of in these words “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1Co 13:12), then we will be used of God to mature all those in Adam who also will go through a process of regeneration, reformation and restitution, that will be like ours but not the same, even as our judgment now (1Pe 4:17) is not the same as the lake of fire judgement (2Pe 2:4) that will come upon the rest of the world and involves all those stages of judgement that will purify all those who are in that fiery judgment, that will bring about the all in all moment of (1Co 15:28). The fire is the same, and judgement is common to all, however the initial thoughts in God’s word dealing with [regeneration, reformation and restitution] point specifically to the elect of God.
There is a distinction between Christ the head and the body as we are like him, and being like him God’s elect will be the saviours that come up on mount Zion and the world will be like us and Christ, as we are like Christ, but they will not be the bride who are blessed and holy to have had part in the first resurrection which is what the words regeneration, reformation and restitution all point to.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgmentG2917 must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgmentG2920;
G2917 judgment κρίμα krima kree’-mah
From G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): – avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.
Total KJV occurrences: 28G2920judgment κρίσις krisis kree’-sis
(Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law): – accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
Total KJV occurrences: 48