The Age of the Gentiles Is Ending

In Luke 21, only two days before he was crucified, Jesus explained how the present age will end. “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (vs 24). At a distinct and definite time, God will bring our present age to completion. Keep your eyes on Israel as this nation is God’s timepiece.

Four Distinctives Marking the End of the Age of the Gentiles:

The

of Israel Is Being Reversed.

“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.” —Luke 21:20

The Greek word for ‘desolation’ means ‘to lay waste, to make destitute, to make barren’. There have been 118 separate conflicts in and for Jerusalem during the past 4000 years. The city has been captured and recaptured 44 times.

In 1967, Israeli paratroopers liberated Jerusalem from Jordanian forces. For the first time in 2000 years, the Jews controlled their Temple Mount. But they continue to be surrounded by enemies on all sides. The surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 is only the latest chapter of Gentile oppression that’s been happening since the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem in 606 BC.

Nevertheless, the land of Israel is healing and blossoming like never before, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 35:1.

The

of Israel Is Being Reversed.

“How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.” —Luke 21:23

The Greek for ‘distress’ means ‘to place under stress; to antagonize; to torture’. The horrific Hamas attacks have been followed by protesters demanding the eradication of the Israel as a nation.

Where does this hatred come from? In Deuteronomy 28, God promised Israel blessings if they kept his commands, and curses if they didn’t. God tested them for the next 850 years and they failed, leading to 2600 years of Gentile oppression. However, God is bringing the dry bones of his beloved Jewish people back together, in fulfillment of the prophecies in Ezekiel 37!

The

of Israel Is Being Reversed.

“They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.” —Luke 21:24a

Beginning with the Babylonians and accelerating with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Jewish people were scattered over the earth, in fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:64. But in the last century God has brought the Jews back to Israel, fulfilling Deuteronomy 30:4.

The

of Israel Is Being Reversed.

“Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles util the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” —Luke 21:24b

The Greek word for ‘trampled’ means ‘to treat with insults; to have contempt; to crush; to violently desecrate’. Starting with the destruction of the Jewish temple in 586 BC, Jerusalem has been repeatedly desecrated, which will culminate with the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27.

But today we see glimpses of the Israel’s coming glory. The recapturing of the Temple Mount in 1967 makes it possible for the Jews to rebuild their temple. This could occur before or after the Rapture.

The Jewish temple will be rebuilt or enlarged during the millennial kingdom (Ezekiel 40-48). Zechariah 14 prophesies that Jesus will reign over all the earth, with all people groups gathering once a year in Jerusalem to worship the Lord!

Many Christians are sensing an urgency to share the Gospel since Covid struck in 2020. In Genesis 19:12, two angels disguised as men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else… in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we’re going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great.” Someday Jesus is going to break thru the clouds and take his people home (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Are you ready to fly away?