LEARNING DAILY

Luke 21:24, They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

In my reading I came across the phrase “the times of the Gentiles” found in the Luke 21:24. In Romans 11:25, a similar phrase is used, “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”. Similar references are found in the Old Testament as well. Ezekiel 30:3 for example, “For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations”, refers to time. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue in Daniel 2 deals with very powerful Gentile nations and how God uses them in His plan. God gives further information in Daniel 8 about how He will use Gentile nations to fulfill His purposes. This information tells us that Gentile nations will be ruling the earth until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth. Bible prophesy is supported by the history of kingdoms and empires ruling the earth since the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The Jewish people have been scattered around the world since that time. We are living in the time of the Gentiles; I wonder if that time is coming to an end!

God had given the government of the world to Israel. Israel’s priests, God’s prophets and godly kings were to be His administrators leading by God’s principles. Israel failed because they sought to live without God’s guidance, following the Gentile idols and practices. The result was God giving Israel what they wanted by “stepping away” and putting Israel under the government of Gentiles. The last verse in the book of Judges summarizes the “days of the Gentiles”, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own eyes”.

Other Old Testament prophets like Hosea have stated that the time when the Jews will return to the Lord, fearing and seeking Him will happen in the “latter days”. The stage is set today for the Lord Jesus, not King Jesus, to return to earth to establish His Millennial reign. After World War II Jewish people began to return to the area once known as the “Promised Land”, establishing the Nation of Israel in 1948; in 1967 a significant event took place when Israel took control of Jerusalem. For the first time since Nebuchadnezzar had entered the city and destroyed it, the Jewish people were controlling and ruling their own land.

Yet, “days of the Gentiles” are in play. The news is constantly speaking of Israel being targeted by those who oppose her –Gentiles. The dome of the Rock is prevalent in Israel today. Israel and Jewish people are constantly being attacked. Jewish people are being attacked constantly in our own country because they are Jewish. Why? The answer is found in the Jewish hardening of their hearts toward Jesus Christ. The rejection of the Messiah, His crucifixion by the Jewish leaders still lingers today. Yet, God still loves the Jewish people dearly! Do not think for a moment that He has forgotten His promise to soften their hearts; even now He is directing events to break the feet and toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, demolishing the Gentile powers of the world in order to fill the earth with His kingdom.

Romans 11:25-27, “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. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins." Yes, God is in control of the event you and I are witnessing in Israel right now. We can trust Him in all we see; everything is happening exactly as Nebuchadnezzar dreamed and Daniel explained.

You and I need to be ready, staying ready by seeking Him daily, staying in His Word and watching diligently for His signal to meet Him in the clouds. Don’t go to sleep! Do not become lazy in your walk on the narrow way! King Jesus is coming for His Bride, the Church! It could be any day!