The Times of Gentiles (8/26-28)

26-28 August 2015 - The Times of the Gentiles – Manna By Dorothy Callies

Luke 21:24 “… Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

After reading some of the Scriptures and commentaries, I became so discouraged because some things were difficult for me to try to write some things down. When I came to Matthew 24:6 “…see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” I felt the word of Jesus was saying, “Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes.”

Then I remember Jesus’ words of comfort. “Let not your heart be trouble. Believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). I look it up and want to read on the words of encouragement. “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). Thank You, Jesus!

Jesus had predicted that Jerusalem would be destroyed. In Luke 19:41-42 NLT, “But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, He began to cry. I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you.” Luke 19:44, NLT, “ … you have rejected the opportunity God offered you.”

Luke 21:24 NLT, “…Jerusalem will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.” In Luke 19:43 “Thine enemies . . . compass thee round.” Jesus’ prediction was fulfilled forty years later (A.D. 70) when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army and hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed. In Scriptures, the Roman army were called, the Gentiles. 

In KJV, Luke 19:41 “… He beheld the city, and wept over it.” I like to share this commentary from The Full Life Study Bible on how He beheld the city, and wept. “Jesus, knowing that the people and their leaders expect a political Messiah and will ultimately reject Him as God’s promised Messiah, weeps in pity for the people who will soon suffer terrible judgment. The word “wept” in Greek means more than shedding tears. It suggests rather a lamentation, a wailing, a heaving of the bosom, the sob and the cry of a soul in agony. Jesus, as God, reveals not only His own feelings, but also the broken heart of God over the loss of the human race and their refusal to repent and accept salvation.” Here’s a song that fits this.

Song: He Has Surely Borne Our Sorrow

See on His brow the scars the thorns made;

See where the spear was thrust in His side;

See in His hands where nails were driven.

Oh, how He suffered and died!

Chorus:

He has surely borne our sorrow;

He has taken the sin-debt away.

He was bruised for our transgressions,

And by His stripes we are healed today.

(Written by Mosie Lister, Sing His Praise)