No, the Kingdom would not have bypassed the crucifixion because God's plan required Christ's death.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the offer of the Kingdom was genuine and Israel could have had it, but God in His foreknowledge knew they would reject Him. The crucifixion was still necessary for salvation, so God would have brought it about another way if Israel had accepted the King.
Psalm 2:2 — Prophecies that the rulers of Israel and the kings of the earth would conspire against the Messiah, showing the crucifixion was ordained.
The Bible reveals that God foreknew the rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah. Psalm 2:2 states, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed." This indicates that both Jew and Gentile would be involved in His death. Additionally, Jesus Himself predicted His suffering and death in detail, as seen in the Gospels.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel was given a genuine offer to receive Jesus as their King and enter the Kingdom. He compares it to the offer of the Promised Land to Israel in the Old Testament—it was valid, but they rejected it in unbelief. Les stresses that God, in His sovereignty, still takes into account human free will, but He knew from eternity past that Israel would reject their Messiah. Therefore, the crucifixion was part of God's plan, but He would have still accomplished it even if Israel had accepted the King, because Christ's sacrificial death was necessary for salvation.
Les Feldick affirms that the offer was genuine. He says, "It was a valid offer, first in His earthly ministry that they could have the king." He draws a parallel to Joshua's offer of the Promised Land, which was also valid but rejected in unbelief.
No, even if Israel had accepted the King, the crucifixion still had to happen. Les states, "God in His own providence would have still taken care of the sacrifice that had to be accomplished." The death of Christ was necessary for salvation, and nothing could prevent it.
Les explains that Israel's rejection was in unbelief. He points out the reaction to Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey, which was not what they expected. The offer was there, but they said, "You would not."
Les emphasizes that God was not caught by surprise. He knew from eternity past that Israel would reject the King and that the crucifixion would occur. He also notes that both Jew and Gentile were involved in the crucifixion, fulfilling Psalm 2.
Why the Church Age Is Hidden in the Old Testament
I'll look at it in Deuteronomy 29. Deuteronomy 29. Deuteronomy 29. And the secret things belong unto the Lord our God. What things? Secret things. Who's secret? God's. The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed. Now as soon as a secret is revealed, then what? It's no longer a secret. But it's to be believed, and that's what the verse implies.
Genuine Offer
Les compares the offer of the Kingdom to the offer of the Promised Land—both were valid, but Israel rejected them in unbelief. God would have still brought about the sacrifice.
Foreknowledge
Les shows from Psalm 2 that both Jew and Gentile were involved in crucifying Christ, and God knew this would happen.
Rejection
Les describes Jesus' humble entry on a donkey and Israel's rejection, stating 'you would not.'
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
But rather through their fall, because the nation of Israel rejected her King, and her Messiah, and her Redeemer, God in turn went to the Gentiles with this program of grace unheard of. Beyond human comprehension, how that the Holy, Righteous God of Glory could use something as graphic and as awful as that Roman cross to bring about a Gospel that He could send out to the Gentiles free for nothing.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
But this is the way God intended it, so that no one, Jew or Gentile can ever say, "...I just couldn't measure up, I couldn't reach that, I couldn't attain it." No one can say that. It's out there for everyone and anyone, because Israel fell. Now we were just talking at break over a cup of coffee, and I know this is strictly hypothetical, and as one gentleman in my class told me one time, he said, …
Hypothetical Acceptance
Hypothetically, if Israel had accepted the King, they could have evangelized the world, but God's foreknowledge said He had to die, so they rejected Him.
Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Now some of course believed, but it was a relatively small percentage. And so for the most part the nation of Israel said, "...will not have this man to rule over us." And they finally culminated with what request? Crucify Him! Get Him out of here! And of course one of the chief proponents of all that would have been Saul of Tarsus, who we will see in a few moments.
Psalm 2:2: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Shows that the rejection of the Messiah was prophesied and involved both Jew and Gentile.
Psalm 2:1: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Parallels the Gentile involvement in the rejection of Christ.
No. Even if Israel had accepted the King, the crucifixion would still have occurred. Les Feldick teaches that God would have brought about the sacrifice in another way because it was necessary for salvation.
God's sovereignty and human free will coexist. Les explains that God is in control of everything, but He never takes away the free will of men and nations. Israel acted freely, and God used their rejection to bring about the crucifixion.
Hypothetically, Israel could have evangelized the Gentiles and brought them into the Kingdom. But according to God's foreknowledge, this could not happen because Christ had to die.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Church Age Is Hidden in the Old Testament