Jerusalem And The Times Of The Gentiles
George Burnside
LUKE 21:24 "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
When Jesus spoke these words the times of the Jews was rapidly running out. We live in the time when the times of the Gentiles is rapidly running out. The Greek work "Kaipos" translated "times" has the meaning of opportunity. It was the times of their opportunity.
The Times of the Jews is clearly set out in - -
DANIEL 9:24 "Seventy weeks are determined (or cut off) upon Thy people and upon Thy holy city" Jerusalem. The 70 weeks or 490 days or years extends from 457 BC to AD 34 when the Jews; despite all the evidence of God's leading, rejected and crucified Jesus. Then in the face of the Resurrection of Jesus with the accompanying miracles: for instance the rending of the temple veil from the top to the bottom.
Note: The "veil was rent from "the top to the bottom." If it was done by human hands it would have been rent from the bottom to the top. It was done by a divine hand. Josephus says that veil was woven about four inches thick. It would have taken a team of bullocks to tear it. The rending of that veil would have sounded like an express train roaring by.
At the resurrection of Jesus there was also the resurrection of saints (Matthew 27:50-53). The priests and Jewish elders, not only lied but bribed heathen soldiers to also lie in the face of this tremendous evidence (Matthew 28:11-15). They not only did this but they filled up their cup of rejection by persecuting the faithful and stoning Stephen. (Acts 7) This was in AD 34.
The passing of the times of the Jews, launched the Times of the Gentiles. Prior to this time the Apostles had been instructed and commanded to go only to the Jews. It was the Times of the Jews, or their day of opportunity.
"Go not into the way of the Gentiles. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 10:5,6. This was still in the times of the Jews. Thus the Jews as a nation filled up their cup of iniquity, then the Gospel now was to go to all the Gentile Nations.
ACTS 13:46 "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and sad, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
"GENTILES" "NATIONS" "HEATHEN"
The word "ethos” translated "Gentile" is the same word that is translated "Nations", Heathen or Gentiles".
MATTHEW 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come."
The word "nations" is the same word "ethos" translated Gentiles.
Now is the "times of the Gentiles," or the "times of the nations”, when the Gospel goes to all nations. This period will close when the day of mercy closes - the close of probation for all peoples.
REVELATION 22:11 "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."
Jesus states:-
LUKE 21:24 "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentile be fulfilled." Some have been confused over the fact that the Jews have conquered Jerusalem. But it is significant that although the Jews dominate old Jerusalem, it is still largely occupied by Arabs and the one spot most wanted by the Jews, namely, the temple area, the Jews are forbidden to enter. The temple area is the site of Solomon's temple, on Mount Moriah, where Abraham was directed' to sacrifice Isaac, his son. (Genesis 22:2, 2 Chronicles 3:1)
Solomon had the top leveled, the high part cut off and a retaining wall built to take up the lower part for the temple. That retaining wall is known today as "the wailing wall." It was not part of the temple, but the retaining wall for the temple area on which the temple was built. The temple that stood in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus was known as Herod's temple and replaced Solomon's Temple. It was built on the same spot as Solomon's Temple.
This second temple was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans. Herod's temple stood on the same area as Solomon's temple. Thus this spot has been named the temple area. When the temple was burned by the Romans in AD 70, the gold which was so lavishly displayed, melted and ran down between the giant blocks of stone. The Romans literally forced every block of stone apart to get the gold. Thus was the prophecy of Jesus fulfilled to the letter.
MATTHEW 24:2"There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall-not be thrown down." Today the temple area is completely bare except for two Moslem mosques, the Mosque El Aksa, and the Dome of the Rock. This area is regarded by Moslems as the second holiest place in the world. They won't allow any Jews to enter the temple area. This is most coveted spot on Earth to the Jews, but although they dominate Palestine, they are not allowed on the most cherished spot, the temple area of Jerusalem. Is that not very significant in view of Christ's prophecy "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles" until time shall end. If the Jews should force their way on to the old temple area, could be faced with World War III. As you know the Moslems are fanatical fighters. They are uniting at the present to resist Israel. Over a thousand million Moslems is certainly a power. The prophecy of Daniel fits in here.
DANIEL 11:45 "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him."
"Between the seas". Between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. "In the Glorious Holy Mountain." The margin: "Mountain of delight, of holiness." That was where the glory of God shone in the Temple.
DANIEL 9:16 "Thy holy city, Thy holy mountain."
PSALMS 99:3 "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy."
ZECHARIAH 8:2,3 "Thus said the Lord of hosts; I was zealous for Zion with great jealousy, and 1 was jealous for her with great fury."
Enclosing a brief history of Jerusalem, to show it is the most important spot on earth and the most troubled.
ZECHARIAH 12:2 "Behold, 1 will make Jerusalem, a cup of trembling unto all people." Margin: "Cup of poison."
ZECHARIAH 12:3 "I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people." Today the United Nations finds it their biggest problem. Jerusalem is mentioned more than any other place in the Sacred Scriptures. I read it is mentioned, a thousand times in the Bible. So keep your eye on that spot and the prophecy of Jesus. The Bible points to there. It is not only the centre in Scripture and importance today, but will he the centre of the Universe throughout eternity.