What does Acts 1:7 mean?

Jesus is promising the disciples that the kingdom of God is at hand (Acts 1:3). Naturally, they interpret this to mean He will fulfill the hint of glory they saw at the triumphal entry (Mark 11:1–10), free Israel from Rome, and reign as David's heir (2 Samuel 7:8–13). Throughout Jesus' ministry, they have anxiously awaited this kingdom, not least because they will hold positions of honor (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Jesus has already told them only God knows when Israel will be saved (Mark 13:32). But that was before Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

The disciples don't realize that the concept of "the kingdom of God" and "God's people" will make a dramatic change. Instead of Israel, the church will come to the forefront.

"Times" is from the Greek root word chronos. It merely means an indeterminate amount of time. "Seasons" is from the Greek root word kairos. It means more a definite timeframe in which a specific goal is accomplished. Although Jesus is not being specific here, Scripture later reveals this "season" is the "times of the Gentiles" mentioned in Luke 21:24.

Paul explains in Romans 11:25, "Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." The season will last until God's predetermined number of Gentiles have come to a saving faith in Him, and then Israel will be restored and Jesus will reign as the Messiah (Acts 1:6).