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SUBJECT: “Times of the Gentiles”
QUESTION: What is meant by the phrase, “times of the
gentiles”
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question regarding the "times of the
gentiles," which Jesus mentioned in Luke 21:24.
Luke 21:24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be
led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be
trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled.
Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are all accounts of Jesus'
teaching about how to recognize the signs of His coming and
the end of this age. The "times of the gentiles" are one of
those signs which Jesus said would occur shortly before He
returns.
Several other prophecies help us understand the "times of
the gentiles." Daniel 12:7, for example, tells us that in
the end time a gentile power will succeed in occupying
Jerusalem, as well as other portions of the Holy Land, for
"a time, times, and an half [a
time]." These are the "times of the gentiles"
Jesus spoke of. But, what does this mean?
Revelation 11:2 clarifies this by telling us that this
gentile power -- the beast -- will be allowed to trample on
the city of Jerusalem for 42 months. During this same time,
God's two witnesses will testify against this power in
Jerusalem for 1260 days (verse 3). This all occurs at the
same time as the Great Tribulation and the day of the Lord.
Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and
measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the
holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Therefore, we can know that the "times of the gentiles"
which Jesus spoke of are the final three and a half years of
this age. They end when Jesus comes back to save the world
and to set up His Government in Jerusalem!
If you would like to receive additional information about
the coming beast power, please feel welcome to request a
copy of our booklets:
Mark of the Beast --What Is It? Posted at:
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/markof.htm
Who, What Is the Beast of Revelation? Posted at:
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/WhoTheBeast.htm
The Beast of the Apocalypse: What is it? Posted at:
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/beastof.htm
They are free for the asking.
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