Understanding Biblical Timelines, Part 2: The Times of the Gentiles

Intro

Subject: The Times Of The Gentiles

Text -

Luke 21:24 NKJV

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Key Questions

what is the times of the Gentiles about?

when did it start?

when will it end?

Key Word

fulfilled - grk. PLEROO, to fill, to make complete, bring to completion

Characteristics of the Times, According to Christ

Note the context…

Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem

- fulfilled in 70 A.D.

Jesus described endtime scenarios towards the end of the times of the Gentiles

Jews will be killed

when Jerusalem was to be destroyed

Jews will be led captive into all nations

after the city is destroyed

Jerusalem will under Gentile domination

to the end of the times of the Gentiles

QUOTE FROM WIKIPEDIA:

Josephus claims that 1.1 million people were killed during the siege, of which a majority were Jewish. Josephus attributes this to the celebration of Passover which he uses as rationale for the vast number of people present among the death toll.[20] Armed rebels, as well as the frail citizens, were put to death. All of Jerusalem's remaining citizens became Roman prisoners. After the Romans killed the armed and elder people, 97,000 were still enslaved…

The beginning and extent of the Times

When did Gentiles kingdoms become global powers and had dominion over Jerusalem?

The domination of the Gentiles over Israel began with the conquest of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar.

king of babylon from 605 B.C. to 652 B.C.

destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that had global impact as well as eschatological significance.

- Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar the dream that he had forgotten

- Daniel gives the interpretation of the dream

the head of gold - Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon (605B.C. - 539 B.C.)

the chest and arms of silver - Medo-Persian empire , 539 330 B.C.

the belly and thighs of brass - Grecian Empire, 330 B.C. - 165 B.C.

the legs of iron - Roman empire,

the feet of iron and clay - the Roman kingdom in the last days, revived, divided

the stone cut without hands - the kingdom of God that Christ will set up in the end of the age,

SHOW ILLUSTRATION NO 1 - NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM IMAGE

The End of the Times of the Gentiles

Gentile Domination of the world comes to its end at the coming of Christ.

He will destroy the kingdoms of the world at that time, which will join forces to resist His rule

- the 7th trumpet announces the transfer of power

- the nations were angry…

- the 6th bowl shows the kings of the east going west, deceived by the the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, and gathered in Armageddon.

SHOW ILLUSTRATION NO 2 - TIMELINE OF THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES

Summary

Purpose of the Timeline of the Times of the Gentiles

to show us when theGentiles began to have power over Jerusalem and when it will end

to show us that God is really in control of the affairs of the world, especially when events and personalities will have part in His plan for His people!

God raised Nebuchadnezzar

God raised up King Cyrus

God raised up the Caesars

God is raising up leaders in the last days