Because Israel rejected the offer of the King and kingdom, the prophetic program was interrupted rather than continuing into its final seven years.
Daniel's 490-year prophetic clock ran 483 years to the crucifixion and then stopped, leaving the seven-year tribulation and the kingdom for a later time. Peter and the eleven offered Israel their crucified King, but the nation rejected the offer in unbelief. As a result, God set Israel aside and turned to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace.
Daniel 9:24 — This verse decrees the 490-year prophetic timetable for Israel and Jerusalem, which Les uses to show where the clock stopped.
Isaiah 61:2 — This verse places the day of vengeance and the comfort of the kingdom together, the part of the program that had to wait when Israel rejected.
Acts 1:6-7 — The disciples asked about restoring the kingdom to Israel after the resurrection, showing the kingdom offer was still in view.
Scripture reveals that God decreed seventy weeks for Daniel's people and the holy city, to finish transgression, make an end of sins, reconcile iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most Holy (Daniel 9:24). It also says that after threescore and two weeks the Messiah would be cut off, and that a coming prince would destroy the city and the sanctuary (Daniel 9:26). The final week involves a covenant, the ceasing of sacrifice and oblation, and desolation (Daniel 9:27). Isaiah 61:2 joins the acceptable year of the Lord with the day of vengeance and comfort for those who mourn. In Acts 1:6-7, the disciples asked Jesus whether He would restore the kingdom to Israel, and He replied that the times and seasons were in the Father's own power.
Les teaches that God's prophetic clock for Israel had 490 years, and that 483 years culminated with the crucifixion, after which the clock stopped. The Old Testament program moved without interruption through the tribulation and into the kingdom, with no hint of the intervening church age. After the ascension, Peter and the eleven offered Israel their crucified King, saying He was alive and could still come. But Israel rejected the offer, so God set them aside and turned to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace. Les notes that Israel blew it, and that their continued rejection eventually led to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the dispersion.
Les explains that God's dealing with Israel was set for 490 years. The first 483 years culminated at the crucifixion, and then God's clock stopped. The remaining seven years are Daniel's 70th week, when the tribulation was to come on the scene, followed by Christ's return and the setting up of His Kingdom. In the Old Testament, this period is presented as a steady flow with no interruption, though historically it was interrupted.
Les says that in the book of Acts, Peter and the eleven preached to the nation of Israel, telling them that the one they crucified was the Christ and the King, that He was alive, and that He could yet come and be their King. This was the kingdom offer still being extended to Israel after the ascension.
According to Les, Israel was already a nation in the land and wanted the king, but they could not have the king unless Israel repented to the last person. If they had repented, Christ could have set up His kingdom and Israel could have been the missionary force and evangelists to the world. Instead, they continued to reject the offer.
Les teaches that Israel had about seven years of constantly rejecting Peter and the eleven's appeal. After that, God set the nation aside and turned to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace. Les emphasizes that this was not an accident or afterthought, but God's preordained plan. Shortly afterward, in 70 A.D., the Roman army destroyed the temple and Jerusalem, and the Jewish people went into dispersion.
Why the Twelve Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem — Acts 1 & 8
or down or whatever that was on, but whatever. He was there physically, visibly, and they saw the scars in his hands and his feet. Verse 41, and while they yet believed ... What's the next word? See, now most people read their Bible, and they don't see that little N-O-T in there. They didn't believe it. They still couldn't comprehend that all this had taken place.
The Prophetic Clock Stopped at 483 Years
Les shows that God's 490-year program for Israel stopped short right after 483 years, at the crucifixion, so the day of vengeance and the kingdom were postponed.
Israel Rejected the Seven-Year Tribulation Offer
Les explains that the tribulation, Daniel's 70th week, and Christ's kingdom could have followed in an uninterrupted flow, but Israel rejected it.
Peter and the Eleven Offered the King to Israel
Les describes the book of Acts message to Israel: the crucified Jesus was their King and was alive and could still come. Israel rejected it, so God turned to the Gentiles.
Seven Years of Rejection and the Dispersion
Les notes that Israel had about seven years of rejecting Peter and the eleven, after which God set the nation aside and the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 A.D.
Israel's Repentance Could Have Brought the Kingdom
Les says if Israel had repented to the last person, Christ could have set up His kingdom and Israel could have been the missionary force; instead they kept rejecting it.
Old Testament Prophecy Contains No Hint of the Church Age
Les teaches that the Old Testament prophetic program runs straight through to the end with no hint of the intervening church age, even though historically it was interrupted.
The Price of Rejecting the Messiah
Les explains that after continued rejection of the King and kingdom, God sovereignly allowed Rome to destroy Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. and disperse Israel.
Daniel 9:24: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
This verse establishes the exact prophetic timetable for Israel that Les says stopped at 483 years.
Daniel 9:26: And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
This shows the Messiah being cut off before the final week, matching the 483-year point where Les says the clock stopped.
Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This verse describes the final seven-year period that was postponed when Israel rejected the kingdom offer.
Isaiah 61:2: To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
This verse ties the day of vengeance and the comfort of the kingdom together in the prophetic program that was interrupted.
Acts 1:6-7: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
This shows the disciples asking about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel right before the ascension, with Jesus not answering the timing.
Yes, according to Les, in the book of Acts Peter and the eleven told Israel that the one they crucified was the Christ and King, and that He was alive and could yet come. This was a genuine offer, but Israel rejected it.
Les indicates that Israel had about seven years of constantly rejecting Peter and the eleven's appeal before God set the nation aside and turned to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace.
Les says Israel blew it. God stopped the prophetic clock after 483 years, postponed the day of vengeance and the kingdom, and by 70 A.D. permitted the Roman army to destroy Jerusalem and disperse Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Twelve Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem — Acts 1 & 8