“I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5

King Saul of Israel did not remain faithful to God and, as a result, his kingdom was given to David. King David was beloved by God who promised him that the great Millennial king, the Messiah, would be one of his descendants.

For several centuries all of Israel’s kings were of David’s family. Some of the kings were good, many were bad. The last king of David’s line was Zedekiah. He was so evil that God said of him, “O profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax . . . A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs; to him [Messiah] I will give it.” Ezekiel 21:25-27

When God took the kingdom from Zedekiah, he told him that he would be taken a prisoner to Babylon and that he would never see Babylon! Both of these prophecies came true. When Zedekiah was taken prisoner, his sons were slain and his eyes were put out; he entered Babylon a blind man. Since then God has allowed the Gentiles to have dominion or rulership over the nation of Israel for 2,520 years. That domination ended in 1914 A.D.

In Bible symbolism one literal day represents a year. The Jewish year had twelve months of thirty days each, so each year of three hundred and sixty days represented three hundred and sixty years. There would be a complete overthrow of Israel’s government for a period of “seven times”. Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28

By multiplying 7 and 360 we can see that the period of time the kingdom would be “ruined” (though not completely destroyed) would be 2,520 years. In August of 1914 World War I began. This marked the end of the Gentile times of 2,520 years. World War I caused tremendous changes in all the governments of the world. They have been in a state of change ever since, with few monarchs still reigning. Those who do, have no power.

Yes, the throne was taken from God’s chosen people and the land lay desolate. But they were left with one hope: “Until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs . . . to him I will give it.” Ezekiel 21:27

Zedekiah’s sons were slain and his eyes were put out just before he was carried off to Babylon.