What does 'whom heaven must receive' refer to in Acts 3?
The phrase 'whom heaven must receive' in Acts 3 refers to Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, where He must remain until the times of restitution of all things. This period is the seven-year Tribulation, during which the earth will be restored to its Edenic condition before sin entered.
Les explains that Acts 3:20-21 continues the thought of verse 19, not ending at verse 20. The phrase 'whom heaven must receive' points to Jesus' ascension, as Psalm 110:1 says, 'come sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' Les notes that the next word is a time word, 'until,' meaning He will not stay in heaven forever. There will come a time when He leaves heaven again, but He stays until the times of restitution of all things. That restitution occurs during the Tribulation, the seven-year period pictured by the seals of Revelation 5, paying off the mortgage Satan has held since Adam fell. The earth, under the curse for almost 6,000 years, will be restored to its Edenic condition before sin entered, becoming a beautiful Garden of Eden. Peter, though expecting the Lord's immediate return if Israel repents, recognizes they must first go through the seven years of restitution.