The 1000 year Millennium from the Bible

[TMSO]

But 3x in Acts 2-4 we are told he already has been enthroned. Remember, we are not looking for 'external signs, so that you would say 'here it is' or 'there it is' because the reign of God is among you.' (in the gospels). This is also why Acts 1 says not to look for 'the restored kingdom of Israel.' We have an 'imperative' kingdom, not one that has a date fixed to it and offices and buildings. (The resurrection is a date, of course; but you mean at some future time like Acts 1).

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

Then there is the question of wrath: Jesus (Luke 21) and Paul both say the wrath of God on Israel was upon them. In Mt 23, Jesus says the house is already desolate. That's pretty early on!

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

Here is a great question: if Acts 1 says not to seek that, what does it allow us to seek? That is the answer.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

 

[TMSO]

Peter knew his message was 'for all those who were near and who were far away.' In ch 3 he repeats the masthead Genesis quote that 'in the Seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed.' Christ died for the world's sins. What's the question? Remember, he had the recapitulation problem; he was human and feared for his life when Judaizers pressured him not to be with Gentiles, Gal 2. He had to be confronted about it by Paul. But in Acts 15 Paul affirms him by saying he was the first to reach them, even though Gal 2 says what it says (that Peter went to Jews). And James says they all knew this from Amos 9 (that all people were to be reached).

I heard something interesting on this. He may not have had a problem at all. (I do not know wether this is true or not, but find it an interesting take.) I believe the push was that it was like a skit, a morality play (I guess), where Peter acts a certain way, and Paul responds to it. So it is possible that Peter did not actually have a problem, but was used in a display so Paul could answer to the problem. (Something like that.) I mean, he had no problem with Cornelius, and he had opened up by basically saying he was taking his life in his hands by being there in the first place.

 

[TMSO]

It is fairly common biblical and archeological knowledge that 'read the stars' in the Abrahamic narrative is to practice what the post-Cataclysm world knew of astronomy. There were 12 sectors of the sky, one for Israel. There were assigned roles to the major objects. There was the understanding of ascending (births) and waning. They had devices that could show when alignments would happen. Their knowledge brought them to Bethlehem about 2 AD.

I thought it was interesting because it was actually astrology. However, it has nothing to do with what we call astrology, but more to do with astronomy. They added meaning to constellations and star positions due to activites on earth. So basically, all of creation is an incredibly complicated watch.

The 2 AD alignment meant: a God-king would be born in the house of Israel for the whole world, although the duality can be shifted to read: a king will be born in the house of Israel, a bridge God provides for man to heaven/salvation. This was why Jesus asked the young disciple, wait til you see the Son of Man ascending and descending on angels, Jn 1.

The alignment meant a king would be born. It doesn't say what king. This alignment had happened before for other kings. This is why the star led them to where they were going, and stopped above the house. They had no idea where the king would be, and had been following His star.

They knew from Genesis about the star of Shiloh, through Daniel. But they also knew a lot of precise stuff about the times from him, like the 490 years. Obviously the Messiah of the stars had to come by that period and be known. This matched what they knew about 'reading/calculating' the stars.

No evidence for that. (Which is not an argument against, but moves this into the realm of conjecture. Just like the person who says they proved the exact date of Jesus birth, and it actually is December 25th.)

It was no surprise that Dan 2 would mention a reign of God that toppled the human precious metal statue of Neb. This also 'aligned.' So now you had 3 things affirming the same thing, which is prob why Neb admitted so much about the kingdom, after being humiliated about it. The three were Genesis, the stars themselves and new revelation through Daniel with timestamps on it (following the 4th kingdom, the 490 years).

I prefer God's interpretation of what the statue is, since he took the time to tell us. It is not polite to add to what God says.

Abraham saw (ie read the star meaning) Christ's day and rejoiced (Jn 8). In fact, that was how he knew his 'seed' would be millions--by faith in the same message. The Gospel of Christ always has this component--that it is not spread or transmitted by human descent but by a person believing that Christ was the Seed which the believer is located "in." Gal 3.

Abraham knew. I mean, he actually talked with Jesus. (The Angel of the Lord is a epiphany, the preincarnate Jesus.) Abraham knew what was to come, and He rejoiced when Jesus day had come.

Yes, the astrological use of the same heavenly signs was abhorrent to God, and reduced it to 'fortune-telling' or 'divination.'

That is the astrology of today. It meant something different in the past.

You have an interesting way of wanting to differ but actually agreeing (unwittingly, it seems).

See Larson's doc THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

Watch the video on the star of bethlehem. I don't remember what it is called. A fun exercise in "you still can't be sure", but informative.

 

[TMSO]

re Nineveh
There is no indication that the repentance is disingenuous. That would make a ridiculous account out of it. Any people's faith can fall apart in a generation.

There is no indication that it wasn't. However, that is not what I am saying. They turned away, and were destroyed for it. That is all I said.

 

[TMSO]

To clarify your total misunderstanding of what I wrote...Christ was definitely part of the "First-fruits" resurrection event, along with the 144,000 "First-fruits unto God and to the Lamb" - namely, the Matthew 27:52-53 saints raised to life again that same day.

To clarify your total misunderstanding of what Paul wrote, Christ WAS the first fruits of resurrection. Everyone else is when He comes back. That is what Paul said.

This was the "First resurrection" event in AD 33 (not 967 BC, as you think I wrote). Out of that First-fruits group / "FIRST resurrection" event, Christ was the only one who was called "the First-born" and the "First-begotten of the dead", because He was the very first one to ascend to the Father in that glorified, resurrected state. Not even Enoch or Elijah had done this yet, according to Christ in John 3:13. The rest of the First-fruits group raised from the dead on that day remained behind on the earth for a time to serve the evangelistic and edification purposes in the early church. They were waiting on Christ's second coming, when they would then be allowed to ascend to heaven with Christ and the other newly-resurrected believers, which ended up taking place in AD 70 on that year's Pentecost day, according to Daniel 12:11-13's prediction for the 1,335th day.

The problem is that Revelation is clear that the first resurrection is at the beginning of the millennium, hence 967AD. I understand you change what John wrote in Revelation (A LOT), adding and removing what you wish, but that is what it states. And, Jesus was walking around in His glorified, resurrected body. You have built your interpretation of scripture on your beliefs. You have added a lot to scripture.

We are told in Revelation 20:5 that the millennium was finished when the "First resurrection" (in AD 33) had taken place, and that Satan's deception was then loosed at the end of that millennium when it had "expired".

"4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

The first resurrection are those who reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20 is very clear that this is the BEGINNING of the millennium.

The "FIRST resurrection" was that of the "FIRST-fruits", namely, Christ and the 144,000 Matthew 27:52-53 saints (in AD 33). Nothing but "blessed and holy" righteous ones were included in that "FIRST resurrection".

No, according to Paul it is ONLY Christ.

The next, second resurrection event at Christ's second coming in AD 70 included both the just and the unjust, who were judged according to their works. This was the resurrection which Paul told Felix was "about to be" in Acts 24:15, which caused Felix to tremble concerning the "judgment about to be" (Acts 24:25).

That is patently and blatantly false.

 

[3 Resurrections]

To clarify your total misunderstanding of what Paul wrote, Christ WAS the first fruits of resurrection. Everyone else is when He comes back. That is what Paul said.

I see you are flushing the description of Revelation 14's 144,000 First-fruits unto God and the Lamb. These were Firstfruits raised from the dead who stood with the Lamb on Mount Zion after they were raised from the dead. Paul never said that everyone else except Christ is raised from the dead at His coming. Paul himself acknowledged the existence of the First-fruits in Romans 8:23 who the church still had among them at that time.

The problem is that Revelation is clear that the first resurrection is at the beginning of the millennium, hence 967AD.

No, scripture tells us in no uncertain terms that "Christ the First-fruits" and the 144,000 First-fruits was referring to the "FIRST resurrection" - and this was in AD 33. If you can't identify the critical importance of the pre-eminence of Christ's resurrection at that time, everything else prophetic goes askew. All prophecy either pointed forward in time to that pivotal event, or pointed backward in time to this.

Those saints raised with Christ that same day had lived their natural lives at some point during the past millennium which had just expired with the "First resurrection" in AD 33.

The first resurrection are those who reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20 is very clear that this is the BEGINNING of the millennium.

No, you are inserting words into John's statement. John never wrote that the remnant of the dead came to life and THEN AFTER THAT (your presumption added here) reigned with Christ the thousand years. It only states that these saints performed two activities , and it doesn't give them in any chronological order.

That is patently and blatantly false.

I am quoting Paul directly in Acts 24:15 and 25 about the resurrection and the judgment of the just and the unjust that was "about to be" in his days. Argue with Paul if you like, but you will lose.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

It is really difficult to have 6 topics per post, if you can manage.

Everyone thinks 23:37 is a prediction; it is the opposite. It is a statement that that could have seen him, if they had done what the palm entrance people did! The leaders of Judaism must become like them to "see" him at work in Acts. A prediction about something X000 in the future out of nowhere, is a bit ridiculous.

It is not good to impose modern excitement to see things happen when it is not there.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

those things which are written in it; for the time is near."
Either the time actually was near, or there has been the delay I keep mentioning. But Lk 23:26 tells us that even a passage like Hos 10 was fulfilled by the time that generation expired. There is no way around the biology-set meaning of that.

 

[EarlyActs]

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

But MacArthur does not understand an imperative kingdom and so he goes literal, and breaks the meaning/grammar of Acts 2:30.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

Do you see that the true meaning of prophecy is its moral, not predictive force? This distinguishes Christian doctrine from sects (which never agree). It is not a prognostication, nor was it meant to be. The kingdom is morally imperative, not a spectator hobby.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

re Even worse:
One of the interferences of what you are saying is that there is a substantial context already built about Israel. I really don't know how people miss this about Luke, but I was fortunate to have master's level training and translating practice in it. If you know what was going on, if you are aware of what to look for in chs 1-20, the statement that that generation would see the total wrath of God on Israel can hardly be missed.

It is important that it is that generation because of dozens of claims by Jesus about it. 'The generation of Sodom will rise up against this generation and will have it better because this generation did not see the time of God's coming.' This is because that generation, by all accounts, was to be missionaries to the world. And some did. But there were too many Jews who interfered and that is the drama as the generation unfolds. Hence my book THE COVENANT REVOLT.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

"exactly in line with Judaism"
You cannot be serious. The gospel of John is fraught with all the differences. You have prob heard that the Jews rejected Jesus; I don't mean the crucifixion itself, I mean the after-rejection, the meta-rejection of the mission of the Gospel (there being no prevention of the sacrifice of Christ). The things the apostles say are time-framed to apply to the after-rejection.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

"Jerusalem thriving"
This is clearly about the Jerusalem hovering above, our mother. "It's gates are called salvation; and it's walls praise" says Isaiah. Acts 2:30 is the declaration with the end of that message , and ch 3's and ch 4's, that the Davidic (imperative) kingdom had come. It does not come by external signs so that you say here it is or there it is; it is at work among you.

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

"Jesus' return"
While there is wrath and destruction at the end, please note/read carefully about Acts 1, that when he left, it was simply a silent moment of passage back to the Jerusalem above. The angels were saying that Christ would be back and forth all through that generation in the same way, slipping easily into human events to help early leaders, intercept Paul, release prisoners, tear down cults, place people in the very centers of 1st cent. government and communications. This is exactly how Acts reads.

Here is the masthead of my book THE ENTHRONED KING:
"Christ who had been violently stopped by Rome was now back, through Paul, unstoppable, telling Caesar that he must submit to Him as the Davidic Son!"

 

[EarlyActs]

Why is it important? It is the full Revelation of all the Jews had expected of Him, the Messiah. He is being fully revealed for who He is.

This is why God specifically has John say it is prophecy right? Because it isn't? "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

And going to be even worse. Have you read Revelation? (Yes, that is humor cranked to 11..) It is Jesus taking back creation. That scroll with seven seals is the title deed to earth/creation, from God to the Son, His inheritance. (Scrolls with seven seals are legal documents, usually a last will and testament, except the Father will never die.) So it is the judgement/punishment of unregenerate men, and the purging of the Earth of sinful humanity, and sin. Part of that is cleaining house of the previous leadership.

It is going exactly in line with Judaism, however, the timeline is not in keeping with their beliefs. This is Jesus being revealed in all His Messianic glory. Establishing His Kingdom. Before He can establish His Earthly Kingdom, He must take Earth back. We see Him do that in Revelation 20.

This was the punishment of the non-elect, unregenerate Jews. Those who utterly reject Jesus as Messiah. However, there are a lot of prophecies that show that Jerusalem will be thriving again before the end. God would not leave Israel desolate.

Consider Jesus pronouncement at the end of Matthew 23: "37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”"

What is Jesus saying? Jerusalem (Israel) will not see Jesus anymore until they accept Him fully as Messiah. (That last bit is one of the messianic titles.) So, can Jesus come back to Earth to be seen by all and Israel, before they accept Him as Messiah? Zechariah 12 says they accept Him as Messiah at His return. Have you seen this yet? Is it a safe bet that Jesus has not returned yet?

More on Jerusalem thriving.
Have you noticed that Heb 11-13 is full of references to this city, and that the book is called To the Hebrews, to give us some idea of the audience.

You have some of the right elements, and in the right flow, but the starting line is off.

 

[EarlyActs]

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

"not wrong about their kingdom"
In Jn 12:34 he told them they were in the darkness specifically about that. Couple that with a completely different agenda for Jewish believers, but using the familiar language, and I think you get the idea.

The term that indicates his attitude about the question is "It is none of your business!!!". So why do modern prophecy experts make it their business and tell you that you must buy their book about it because God has shown them they are the only ones who are right? So I don't deal with the future, but with history.

There is even more about the text: The expression "to be clothed with power" is lost to us. He meant: 'I am giving you priestly robes because the authority of the kingdom will begin that day.' AKA, you are a kingdom of priests, as the Deut had said, and I Peter 1 quotes. It is definitely the Davidic kingdom, as you can see all through Acts (one chapter of ENTHRONED KING is the Davidics of the apostles), but precisely in 2:30. There is no other grammatical outcome. He did not see 'through' the resurrection to the future. He saw the resurrection and this is confirmed by Rom 1, Eph 1, Phil 2 and Heb 1--all massive Christian doctrinal statements that cannot be changed. It was his enthronement, the start of the imperative kingdom.

It is an imperative kingdom, not an actual one like Rome's senatorial process. That is why it both challenged and did not challenge Rome. It is the roots of the US 1st Amendment, as I show in EK. Actually 'render to God v Caesar' was, because Rome was dabbling in theology/theocracy, although it had some separation.

Mark 9:1

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Luke 17:
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”[c]

22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day[d] will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

We cannot start with the Rev and generate doctrines; they must be perfectly clear from ordinary language elsewhere.

 

[EarlyActs]

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

re Gen 12:3
Another thing that needs to be addressed here is that Gen 12:3 is never quoted in the NT, yet "in your Seed all natioins will be blessed" is many times. It is very typical of D'ism to do this violence to the OT--to major on a passage never handled by the NT even thought 2500 have been. Another common ex. is Ezek 38, 39.

 

[EarlyActs]

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

God is clear that it speaks only to a season.
That is a good thing to remember about the OT when it says 'forever' but only means a season. If the torah's rules for the rest of the land were being followed, notice the many pogroms and holocausts; it sound like it's a bit late to speak of blessing, but that's just me. Strictly speaking something amazing should have happened 70 years after 70 AD. Obviously these categories don't matter any more.

 

[EarlyActs]

It is not the Messianic kingdom though. That will not happen until Jesus returns in full glory as the Messiah. Just what does that mean? Jesus comes and destroys the enemies of Israel, and establishes His kingdom. That is what the Jews always believed. Jesus did not tell the disciples they were wrong for believing that. From John MacArthur: "
(1) About the Lord's coming

The word coming in Matthew 24:3 is translated from the Greek word parousia. It means "to be around" or "to be present." The best way to translate the verse might be, "What shall be the sign of Your full presence?" The disciples were referring more to the Lord's permanent presence, not His coming. Parousia was also used in verses 27, 37, and 39. Because the Lord used it frequently to refer to His return, the New Testament writers did the same (James 5:8, 2 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:28). Parousia became synonymous with Christ's arrival to set up His kingdom. However, when the disciples asked about the Lord's coming in Matthew 24:3, they were saying, "When are You going to arrive in Your full Messianic revelation? When will You become all that we anticipate You to be?" They didn't think in terms of His leaving and returning; they simply thought the Lord would soon make a transition to setting up His kingdom."

"3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]"

This is judgement fulfilled against the unregenerate, the non-elect of Israel for all the sins of Israel. God is clear that it speaks only to a season. I don't remember where the prophecy is, but it says that the land will enjoy all the sabbaths while desolate. This speaks to the possibility (I say definitiveness) of Israel not remaining desolate. God gave the land a rest from the evil, sinful Israelites.

"4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

Here Jesus is telling them that it is not for thme to know times or seasons. But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse was clear that it is NOW, the season is now, it is this generation. No. No it isn't. Jesus is restoring the kingdom to Israel at another time/season. But, what you are to do is to be witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samiaria, and to the end of the earth, after receiving the Holy Spirit with power.

But, but, but, I thought the Olivet discourse
You missed badly. He just announced the authority of the kingdom (and its clothes) would arrive on Pentecost through the Spirit. Being the witnesses was the means not an evasion. It was the kingdom coming. Your understanding is very darkened by D'ism's literalism. That's why it it is sometimes called a badly-done-rehash of Judaism. Jn 12:34 established that, calling one view light and the other darkness. We are to walk in the light while we have it.

 

[EarlyActs]

I heard something interesting on this. He may not have had a problem at all. (I do not know wether this is true or not, but find it an interesting take.) I believe the push was that it was like a skit, a morality play (I guess), where Peter acts a certain way, and Paul responds to it. So it is possible that Peter did not actually have a problem, but was used in a display so Paul could answer to the problem. (Something like that.) I mean, he had no problem with Cornelius, and he had opened up by basically saying he was taking his life in his hands by being there in the first place.

The recapitulation seems to have been after; I'm not sure of anyone ever nailing that. But it remains that at the conference he was thought to be the Gentile pioneer, and in Gal 2 he was pressured back, and Paul does not have very nice language about people like that. Acts 9-15 frequently mentions this problem.