What would have happened if every Jew had accepted Jesus?
Had all Jews responded to the message, the King could have returned, though the Tribulation had to come first; then the Kingdom could have been set up, and Israel could have evangelized the world. Instead, they rejected the opportunity, and God saved Saul of Tarsus by grace for a new program to the Gentiles.
Les teaches that Israel was given first opportunity. The context cites Scripture saying, “In thy seed shall all kindreds of the earth be blessed, unto you first, the nation of Israel, unto you first, having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning away.” How many? Everyone—not 9%, or 10%, or 99%, but 100%. If every Jew would have responded to this message, the King could have returned. Of course, they had to have the Tribulation first, and then the Kingdom could have been set up, and Israel could have evangelized the world. What an opportunity! But they miffed it and rejected it. So God converted another Jew, completely out of any prospect for being a man of God: old Saul of Tarsus. He saved him by grace, outside the land of Palestine on Gentile ground, took him down into the desert for 3 years, and seminary trained him between the glorified Lord and Saul himself. Then He sent him not to the Jew, but to the Gentile, with a whole new program. Les later returns to verse 8, noting that after the Holy Spirit would come upon them, they were to receive power to continue on with what Christ had been doing in His earthly ministry.