What are the times of the Gentiles?

Answer

In Luke 21:24, Jesus discusses future events, such as the destruction of Jerusalem and His return. He mentions that “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (ESV). A similar statement is found in Romans 11:25, which reads, “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (ESV). Does the Bible explain the meaning of the phrase “times of the Gentiles”?

While the Old Testament does not use this exact phrase, there are references that appear to align with it. Ezekiel 30:3 refers to “a time of doom for the nations” in relation to the Day of the Lord. Daniel’s sequence of visions addresses Gentile world powers and their significance in God’s plan for the earth. Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the image made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay (Daniel 2:31-45) symbolizes successive Gentile kingdoms that will rule until Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts (Daniel 7:1-27) also mentions four kings, or nations, that will hold power for a period until Christ’s eternal reign. The vision of the ram and the goat (Daniel 8:1-26) provides further insights into these Gentile rulers and the duration of their dominion. In all these passages, the Gentiles exercise authority over the world, including the Jewish people, for a time, but ultimately, God will defeat them all and establish His own everlasting kingdom. Each prophecy concludes with a reference to Christ’s kingdom, so the “times” of these Gentile rulers encompass all the years from the Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar to the glorious return of Christ to establish His kingdom. We are currently in “the times of the Gentiles,”.”that is, in the era of Gentile domination.

When we examine the book of Revelation, we find similar references to the time of Gentile dominion ending with the return of Christ. In Revelation 11:2, John indicates that Jerusalem will be under Gentile rule, even though the temple has been restored. The armies of the Beast are destroyed by the Lord in Revelation 19:17–19, just before the millennial reign of Christ is initiated.

Looking again at Luke 21:24, we see that Jesus mentions a time in which Jerusalem is under the dominion of Gentile authority. Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest of Jerusalem in 588 BC began that period, and it has continued through the present time. Romans 11:25 gives us a hint as to God’s purpose in the times of the Gentiles: the spread of the gospel throughout the whole world. The organization and inventions of the pagan world powers have actually aided the evangelism of the world. For example, in the first century, it was the widespread use of the Greek language and the network of Roman roads that allowed many people in far-off lands to hear the gospel.

One theme of Romans 11 is that when the Jewish people rejected Christ, they were temporarily cut off from the blessings of a relationship with God. As a result, the gospel was given to the Gentiles, and they gladly received it. This partial hardening of heart for Israel doesn’t preclude individual Jews from being saved, but it prevents the nation from accepting Christ as Messiah until His plans are finished. When the time is right, God will restore the entire nation, and they will come to faith in Him once again, ending “the times of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 17:7;Isaiah 62:11-12;Romans 11:26).