Apokatastasis: A Word Still Wreaking Havoc
The Greek word apokatastasis means restoration of things to their original condition. It came from the Greek word Apokathistemi which means restore. This word was part of Greek thinking concerning the end of things. This Greek word is used only once in the New Testament. That is in Acts 3:19-21. The passage reads like this: Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (NKJV) . The ‘times of restoration of all things' is where the word apokatastasis is used. Restoration of all things in Christ is a theme in the New Testament. The Bible presents it as a result of Jesus reconciling mankind and eventually the entire creation wit