TW: Jerusalem, Israel, and Time of the Gentiles

Jerusalem

The latest TW News & Prophecy from LCG has the following:

Continuing Conflict over Jerusalem

When the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, announced that the United Nations had upgraded the Palestinians to non-member observer status he asserted, “One day, a young Palestinian will raise the Palestinian flag over Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the state of Palestine” (israelnationalnews.com, December 2, 2012). However, within 24 hours of the U.N. decision, Israel announced it would begin construction of 3,000 new housing units in disputed areas around Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. From the Palestinian point of view, this announcement is seen as an “act of Israeli aggression” on the part of Israel. However, the Israelis counter that the announcement is just part of a “comprehensive settlement plan” and “according to Israel’s strategic interests” (israelnationalnews.com, November 30, 2012). Bible prophecies have long warned that conflict over the Holy Land will erupt in its final form just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth. In fact, Jesus Himself warned, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near… And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:7-24). We appear to be moving closer to that prophesied time.

As I reported a few days ago, related to part of this, a divided Jerusalem seems to be consistent with biblical prophecy (Palestinian Leader Says, ‘Jerusalem is Eternal Capital’). And as Jesus said, “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

As far as the time of the Gentiles goes, notice the following scriptures:

2 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:

“Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’
3 For the day is near,
Even the day of the Lord is near;
It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles. (Ezekiel 30:2-3)

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)

The goings on in Israel and the Middle East are certainly setting the stage for the final time of the Gentiles, which is the time of the Great Tribulation and the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). This could happen as early as 2017.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? 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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
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? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? What will happen to the nation of Israel and Jerusalem?