Study 4: The Times of the Gentiles

(1) Where does the expression, “Times of the Gentiles,” occur in Scripture, and to what period does it apply? Page 73, 1 to 3

(2) To whom was the dominion of the earth originally given? How did he exercise this dominion, and to whom was it given subsequent to Adam’s disobedience? What declaration of Jehovah’s purpose was made to Abraham after the flood? Page 73, par. 4

(3) What was the earliest suggestion from God regarding a national universal dominion over the earth? And what did this imply? Page 74, par. 1

(4) What was the effect of Israel’s hope upon other nations? Page 74, par. 2

(5) When God was about to remove the crown from Israel’s last king, what was His determination with respect to the Gentile Kingdoms? Page 75, par. 1

(6) Since the Kingdom of Israel was in some respects typical of the Kingdom of Christ, what course of action was appropriate on God’s part when Israel had proven themselves unfit for universal dominion? Page 75, par. 2

(7) How has this overturning of dominion been accomplished? What will be the Fifth Universal Empire of Earth? Page 76, par. 1

(8) What date will mark the end of Gentile lease of dominion? If this date can be accurately fixed, what will it prove regarding the Kingdom of God? Page 76, par. 2; Page 77, par. 1

(9) What will this date prove respecting Earth’s new Ruler? Page 77, par. 2

(10) What will this date prove with regard to the last member of the Body of Christ? Page 77, par. 3

(11) Fourthly, what will it prove as respects Jerusalem and its relation to the Gentiles? Page 77, par. 4

(12) Fifthly, what will it prove respecting Israel’s “blindness”? Page 77, par. 5

(13) What will the fixing of this date prove with respect to the great “Time of Trouble”? Page 77, par. 6

(14) What will this date prove regarding the relation between God’s Kingdom and the “powers that be”? Page 78, par. 1

(15) What do our Lord’s words, “Until the Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,” imply? Page 78, par. 2

(16) Does the Bible locate the beginning of Gentile Times and also furnish the length of this period? In what manner? Page 79, par. 1

(17) What is the scriptural evidence as to length of this period and the date of its beginning? Page 79, par. 2

(18) Briefly, what has been the history of the Jewish nation since the crown was taken from Zedekiah? Page 79, par. 3

(19) Give in detail the method of arriving at the date for the beginning of Gentiles Page 79, par. 4

(20) Recognizing God’s lease of power to the Gentile Kingdoms, is it reasonable to believe that the Kingdom of God was set up at Pentecost? What is the truth about “Christendom’s” claims? Page 80, par. 1

(21) What has been the position of the Kingdom of Christ during the Gospel age, and how long will its humiliation continue? What should be the attitude of the true Church toward “the Kingdoms of this world?” Page 80, par. 2

(22) When will fleshly Israel come into their promised inheritance? Page 81, par. 1

(23) How did the removal of the crown from Zedekiah affect the promise, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, “? (Gen. 49:10) Page 81, par. 2

(24) How did Moses seem to fulfill the promise of a great deliverer, and what was his prophetic declaration on this point? To what tribe did the promise finally narrow down? Page 82. par. 1

(25) What were Israel’s expectations during David’s and Solomon’s reigns? Page 82, par. 2

(26) How were their hopes destroyed? Page 83, par. 1

(27) When the crown was removed from the last King of Israel, was the sceptre also taken away? How was this pointed out in the decree against Zedekiah? Page 83, par. 2

(28) In what manner did the Law Covenant restrict the Abrahamic Covenant? And how did this lead to the formation of the sect of the Pharisees? Page 83, par. 3

(29) What was Jesus’ teaching with respect to the ability of any man to keep the perfect Law of Go d? Did Jesus censure the Pharisees for attempting or failing to keep the Law fully, or for what did He blame them? Page 84, par. 1

(30) What did Jesus declare to be the full import of the Law? And how did He illustrate it in His own life? Page 84, par. 2

(31)Through His perfect obedience to the Law, what things were accomplished by our Lord Jesus? Page 85, par. 1

(32) How was the Law Covenant affected by Jesus’ acquisition of the “sceptre”? Page 85, par. 2

(33) What did the “Prince of Peace” thus secure for His subjects? And how did He fulfill the prophecy of 49: 10? Page 85, par. 3

(34) Why did those who “waited for the consolation of Israel” return after the seventy years’ captivity, gathering about the tribe of Judah, and yet reject the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” when He came? Page 86, par. 1

(35) “Shiloh” having received the scepter and “all power” at His resurrection, what has been His subsequent work during the Gospel age? When will He, “whose right it is” to rule, receive the crown, or great power, and begin His glorious reign? Page 86, par. 2

(36) What do we expect to prove (in this study) regarding the length of the Times of the Gentiles? Page 87, par. 1

(37) Shall we find this evidence clearly stated in so many words, or in what manner? Page 87, par. 2

(38) What do our Lord’s words, “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,” suggest? Page 87, par. 3

(39) What suggestions do we receive from Leviticus 26:17, 18, 24, 28? Page 87, par. 4

(40) How often is this threat of “seven times” mentioned? What do the various punishments previously mentioned refer to? These having failed, how was the threat of “seven times” applied? Page 88, par. 1

(41) What does the connection indicate regarding the corrective effect of these “seven times” upon the people of Israel? Page 88, par. 2

(42) At what time would the lesser captivities be due to give place to the final chastisement of “seven times”? Page 88, par. 3

(43) How is the term, “time,” Scripturally used? And how is a symbolic “year,” as used in prophecy, reckoned? Page 89, par. 1

(44) Were the “seven times” of Israel’s punishment literal or symbolic? In what manner do we decide this matter? Page 89, par. 2

(45) How do we know that Nebuchadnezzar’s “seven times” were seven literal years, and that Israel’s “seven times” were symbolic years? Page 90, par. 1

(46) What other name is Scripturally applied to the “seven times” of Israel’s punishment? Page 90, par.  2

(47) Show by diagram the length of Israel’s “seven times” when they began, and when they will Page 90, par. 3

(48) Cite several instances which prove that “a day for a year” is Bible usage in symbolic What specially marked fulfilment of prophecy has established the principle upon which the “seven times” of Gentile rule are reckoned? Page 91

(49) Had Israel’s “seven times” been fulfilled in seven literal years, what result would have immediately followed? Page 92, par. 1

(50) Was the restoration of Israel by Cyrus a release from Gentile rule? If not, when should we expect this release to take place, and are there any significant indications among the Jews at the present time? Page 92, par. 2

(51) Where is another view of Gentile Times presented in Scripture? Page 93, par. 1, 2

(52) What is the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? Page 94, 1, 2; Page 95, par. 1

(53) How was this dream fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar’s experiences? And what is the evident object in this so carefully narrated and interpreted dream of a heathen king? Page 95, par. 2

(54) Why was this dream specially appropriate to Nebuchadnezzar? What language was used by him after he had learned the intended lesson? Page 96, par. 1, 2

(55) Of what was Nebuchadnezzar’s degradation typical? Page 96, par. 3

(56) Why were the Gentile governments portrayed as wild beasts, and how was the Ruler of God’s Kingdom represented to Daniel in a vision? Page 97, par. 1

(57) What three facts show the fitness of Nebuchadnezzar’s seven literal years as an illustration of the seven symbolic years of Gentile Times? Page 97, par. 2

(58) Is a knowledge of the exact date of Nebuchadnezzar’s degradation essential to the foregoing argument? Page 97, par. 3

(59) What is the refreshing prospect brought to view at the close of Gentile Times? Page 98, par. 1, 2

(60) Are there any present indications of reason returning to mankind? What final experience will be necessary before they come to a full recognition of Jehovah and His rightful sovereignty over all? Page 98, par. 3

(61) What agencies for the undermining of earthly empires have been rapidly developing during the past few years? Page 98, par. 4

(62) In view of the Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, what may be considered an established truth? Page 99, par. 1

(63) At what time was the Kingdom of God set up, as recorded in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? And how does this correspond with the history of the setting up of the beastly governments? Page 99, par. 2

(64) What will be the immediate cause of the great time of trouble and the breaking to pieces of present kingdoms? Page 100, par. 1

(65) Since we have noted a great difference in character between the Kingdom of God and the Gentile kingdoms, what difference should we expect in their modes of warfare? Should we look for a peaceable transfer of dominion? Page 100, par. 2

(66) Briefly, at what time is the Kingdom of God due to begin the exercise of power? And when will the “battle of the great day of God Almighty” end? Page 101, par. 1

(67) What is the character of the events due to take place (luring the “Day of the Lord”? And what is the “sword that is wounding the heads over many nations”? Page 101, par. 2, 3

(68) Why and how will all finally accept the Kingdom of God as the “desire of all nations”? Page 102