Overusing the Pharisee analogy is like over using the comparison to Nazis.
Lately, I heard one in which the accuser was anchoring it all on the belief that there will be a kingdom in Israel in the middle east of this earth, with Christ on its throne, etc. I don't know where Christ of the cross fit in to that, but he might like to know that a Pharisee belief was also in the arrival of that kind of a kingdom where they would enjoy being superior to the nations.
That IS the sense ALSO of the Eleven, in Acts 1.
As is at times depicted in "the four gospels" their focus there, in Acts 1, is obviously on the authority over others that they will have within Israel's restored kingdom.
His reply to that is two-fold.
One, that it is not for them to know the timing of said restoration.
But two, and more importantly; that their focus during His absence, is to be on the purpose of their given authority: their witness of Him through said authority.
An authority as His witnesses that the Spirit would soon be confirming.
And which the Spirit did...
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where,
the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
None of which negates said Kingdom would not be restored.
In fact...
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
And that Coming is AFTER what is actually a continuance earlier in Acts 1, of...
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The better question would be - so what became of said "promise of His coming?"
Nevertheless, Romans 5:8, towards you, IP.
