Yes, the apostles expected Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time.
The apostles, having witnessed Israel's glory under David and Solomon, expected a literal, earthly kingdom to be restored. After Jesus' resurrection, they asked if He would restore it then, anticipating a reign even greater than Solomon's under the Messiah.
Acts 1:6 — This verse records the apostles' direct question to Jesus, revealing their expectation of the kingdom's restoration.
In Acts 1, after Jesus' resurrection and forty days of teaching, the apostles asked, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6, KJV). This question reflects their understanding that the kingdom was a real, earthly kingdom, as evidenced by Israel's past glory under David and Solomon (Acts 1:6; 1 Kings 10:6-7). The Bible doesn't record them doubting its restoration but rather asking about the timing.
Les Feldick teaches that the apostles expected a literal, political kingdom on earth, like Israel's under David and Solomon but even more glorious. They understood the kingdom as a real earthly reign under the Messiah. Their question in Acts 1:6 shows they expected Jesus to restore it at that time, and Jesus did not rebuke them, confirming they were not mistaken. Les emphasizes that the kingdom concept was rooted in Old Testament prophecy and was central to the apostles' thinking.
The apostles asked because they had the kingdom uppermost in their minds (Clip 2). They remembered the glory of David and Solomon's kingdom and wondered if Israel would have a kingdom like Solomon's in all his glory (Clip 2). They understood that this kingdom was a real, political kingdom on earth under a king (Clip 3).
Les teaches that the kingdom was not an ethereal, spiritualized thing but a real, political kingdom on earth under the authority of a king (Clip 3). The apostles expected a kingdom like David's and Solomon's, but with even greater glory because the Messiah would rule (Clip 1).
Les points out that if the apostles were 'way out in left field' about a physical, political kingdom, the Lord would have corrected them in the next verse (Acts 1:7), but He did not (Clip 4). This implies His confirmation of their understanding.
Pre-Trib vs. Amillennialism: What the Bible Really Says
others. In all of their writings, they stood on the whole Millennial earthly rule of Christ, without any apology. Now that was for the first 250 years of the Church history. Now the amazing thing is that in that same 250 year period of time, there was not one single writer in opposition. Not a one.
Apostles Expected Kingdom Like Solomon's
Les explains that the apostles remembered Israel's glory under David and Solomon and expected an even greater kingdom under the Messiah.
Kingdom Uppermost in Their Minds
Les emphasizes that the kingdom was all the apostles could think about, prompting their question in Acts 1:6.
Kingdom Was Real and Earthly
Les clarifies that the kingdom was a literal, political kingdom on earth, not spiritualized, as seen in Israel's past.
Jesus Did Not Rebuke Them
Les argues that Jesus' lack of correction in the following verse confirms the apostles' expectation of a physical kingdom.
Christ's Return to the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14 Explained.
But here in Acts chapter 1, verse 4, it says, "...And being assembled together with them, He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, you have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence." Now verse 6. "...
Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
They were to stay and present this to the nation of Israel, in hopes that Israel would still accept their King, and Christ could have come and set up the Kingdom. And then they understood, yes, once they had the King and the Kingdom, they knew the Old Testament prophecies. I showed it to the class again last night, Zechariah chapter 8, "...
Who Goes Into the Kingdom? What the Bible Really Says
When the Kingdom is set up, and the nation of Israel is now under their King, under the King will be the twelve original apostles, each ruling one of the twelve tribes from Jerusalem, there in the land of Israel. Now let's look at just another verse or two. Let's go to Acts chapter 1. Now let's look at Luke 21. I'm just sort of taking these off the top of my head as we go.
Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
This is the apostles' direct question to Jesus, revealing their expectation.
1 Kings 10:6-7: And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
This describes the glory of Solomon's kingdom, which the apostles remembered as a benchmark for the future kingdom.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that the apostles expected a literal, political kingdom on earth, like Israel's under David and Solomon, but even more glorious under the Messiah. They were not expecting a spiritualized or ethereal kingdom.
No, Jesus did not rebuke them. Les notes that if they were wrong, Jesus would have corrected them in Acts 1:7, but He didn't, indicating their expectation was valid.
Watch the Teaching: Pre-Trib vs. Amillennialism: What the Bible Really Says