Great Tribulation: Time of the Gentiles

Dr. Douglas Winnail

The Great Tribulation coincides with the final time of the Gentiles.

When it starts it will not be a good time for the USA or its Anglo-Allies (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy) as the final “time of the Gentiles” means that the time of the dominance of the Anglo-Israel descended nations ends.

Notice what happens during the “great tribulation” according to Jesus:

22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together (Matthew 24:22-28).

The Great Tribulation will initially mainly be directed to those who are descended from Jacob/Israel:

6 Ask now, and see,
Whether a man is ever in labor with child?
So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins
Like a woman in labor,
And all faces turned pale?
7 Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:6-7)

25… Gentiles, who do not know You…they have eaten up Jacob, Devoured him and consumed him,
And made his dwelling place desolate. (Jeremiah 10:25)

23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:23-24)

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

Notice that Jeremiah, Jesus (whose words are recorded in Luke), and John (who penned Revelation) are talking about the same time. Also notice that “it is the time of Jacob’s trouble” and that the “Gentiles” are dominating. This means those that are descended from Israel or have the name of Jacob (cf. Genesis 48:14-16) will be mainly be trampled. One of the peoples that God says He will use to punish the descendants of Israel, Assyria (Isaiah 10:5-11), are a Gentile people–they will normally lead during the time of the Gentiles. The time of Gentile domination is prophesied (Ezekiel 30:1-3; Jeremiah 10:25; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2).

LCG’s Dr. D. Winnail wrote the following:

The Bible makes several references to the “times of the Gentiles” that reveal specific details about this period. Jesus said that just before His return, armies would surround Jerusalem and that the city would be “trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20–24). Jesus did not pull this idea out of thin air. He was referring to a prophecy made 600 years earlier by Ezekiel, who wrote that “the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds [a foreboding period], the time of the Gentiles” (Ezekiel 30:1–4). Ezekiel links the time of the Gentiles with key events at the end of the age—a time when God dramatically intervenes in world history. The prophet Joel uses the same ominous language to describe severe drought, famine and war associated with the “day of the Lord” at the end of the age (Joel 2–3). In the Bible, the “times of the Gentiles” are clearly associated with the period just before the return of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John states that Gentile powers will gain control of the city of Jerusalem, including the precincts around the temple, for 42 months (three-and-a-half years) just before Christ’s return (Revelation 11:2). Zechariah is even more specific with his prediction: “Behold the day of the Lord is coming… I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken… Half of the city shall go into captivity” (Zechariah 14:1–4). This prophecy implies that when the Gentiles gain control of Jerusalem, the Jewish half of the population will be taken into captivity. This is to occur during the time of the Gentiles—just before Christ’s return.

Jesus mentions another specific event that will occur during this time. He warned that, “when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15–16). According to Daniel, an evil end-time Gentile ruler (the king of the north) will make an agreement with Jews of Jerusalem to allow sacrifices to begin, but after three-and-a-half years he will break that agreement (Daniel 9:27). He will then set up an image that will defile the holy place (Daniel 11:31; 12:11). This will be a specific sign that Christ’s return is imminent. It will occur during the “time of the Gentiles”—when Gentiles gain control of Jerusalem…

But what will this coming “time of the Gentiles” be like, and how will it affect the world? Jesus said that the end of the age will be an increasingly violent, calamitous and chaotic time (Matthew 24:1–8). The Apostle Paul states that “in the last days perilous times will come” characterized by selfishness, greed, self-gratification and brutality (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Modern secular scholars are voicing the same concerns! Huntington comments on the emerging Gentile-dominated world, noting that “a world without U.S. primacy will be a world with more violence and disorder and less democracy and economic growth” (The Grand Chessboard, Brzezinski, p. 31). Regarding the global breakdown of law and order, increasing violence, anarchy and precipitous decline in morals, Huntington states, “On a worldwide basis Civilization seems… to be yielding to barbarism, generating the image of an unprecedented phenomenon, a global Dark Ages, possibly descending on humanity” (The Clash of Civilizations, p. 321). These are not the alarmist cries of a religious fanatic, but of a Harvard scholar and recognized authority on world affairs. His words echo Bible prophecies about “the times of the Gentiles”—that are a sign that Christ’s return is near. We need to watch, because these prophecies are coming alive today! (Winnail D. Times of the Gentiles. Tomorrow’s World, Jan-Feb 2005)

The Great Tribulation itself is further described in Revelation 6:9-11 (the fifth seal, that seems to occur because the faithful church has suffered martyrdom), Lamentations, Daniel, and other parts of the Bible.

LCG also published:

Be Prepared! We are living in an increasingly uncertain world today with unstable economies, job insecurity, dramatic weather changes, storms, floods, droughts, threats of earthquakes and terrorist activities. Because of our modern dependence on technology (electricity for cooking, heating and cooling, transportation and food delivery systems, community water supplies, etc.), all these events can bring serious disruptions to normal and necessary activities of daily life. The potential for disruption in the supply of basic necessities points to the need to plan ahead to meet unexpected emergencies. This is reflected in the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared! This same advice is found in the Scriptures. Solomon advised “Ponder the path of your feet”—think about where you are going and how you are going to get there (Proverbs 4:26). Solomon also observed “A prudent man foresees evil [danger] and hides himself [takes refuge], but the simple [naïve] pass on and are punished [face consequences]” (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12). God’s Church has long encouraged members to prepare for unexpected emergences—keep an extra supply of bottled water, a stock of non-perishable food items, extra vitamins, first aid supplies, extra batteries for flashlights and a battery-powered radio, some matches and candles, and a camp cooking stove or heating device—things that may be needed if normal public services are disrupted. While God’s people will look to God for their ultimate protection, we also need to do our part to be prepared!

The Bible is clear that Christians should take steps to be prepared both physically and spiritually. The Great Tribulation is coming and the recent moves by Russia, China, India, Brazil, and Europe suggest that the final time of the Gentiles is close to being at hand.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.