Luke 21:24

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive unto all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

a. ASV: And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

b. YLT: and they shall fall by the mouth of the sword, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

c. Classic Amplified: They will fall by [f]the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).

1. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive unto all nations…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. [they shall] fall [Strong: 4098 píptō, pip'-to; probably akin to G4072 through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):—fail, fall (down), light on.]

c. [by the] edge [Strong: 4750 stóma, stom'-a; probably strengthened from a presumed derivative of the base of G5114; the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or edge (of a weapon):—edge, face, mouth.]

d. [of the] sword [Strong: 3162 máchaira, makh'-ahee-rah; probably feminine of a presumed derivative of G3163; a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment:—sword.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. [shall be] led away captive [Strong: 163  aichmalōtízō, aheekh-mal-o-tid'-zo; from G164; to make captive:—lead away captive, bring into captivity.]

g. into [Strong: 1519 eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:—(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, +continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, +perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.]

h. all [Strong: 3956 pâs, pas; including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

i. nations [Strong: 1484 éthnos, eth'-nos; probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):—Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]

1).  In 70A.D. Jerusalem was destroyed along with the Temple by the Romans and Jews were scattered all over the world.

2. “…and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the the Gentiles…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. Jerusalem [Strong: 2419 Hierousalḗm, hee-er-oo-sal-ame'; of Hebrew origin (H3389); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine:—Jerusalem.]

c. shall be [Strong: 2071 ésomai, es'-om-ahee; future of G1510; will be:—shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), × may have, × fall, what would follow, × live long, ×sojourn.]

d. trodden down [Strong: 3961 patéō, pat-eh'-o; from a derivative probably of G3817 (meaning a "path"); to trample (literally or figuratively):—tread (down, under foot).]

e. of [Strong: 5259 hypó, hoop-o'; a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):—among, by, from, in, of, under, with.]

f. [the] Gentiles [Strong: 1484 éthnos, eth'-nos; probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):—Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]

1). Gentile nations have been in control of Israel and Jerusalem for all that time. During the times of the Gentiles, Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles. As the Greek definition declares, the Gentiles will have Jerusalem under subjection. They will not be aware or understand the spiritual significance of that city. Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

a). Psalm 48:1, 2 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

2). It is the city that God has chosen for Himself.

a). 2 Chronicles 6:6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

3). The fact that Israel is now a nation and has national sovereignty is a strong indicator that the times of the Gentiles are about over. During the times of the Gentiles, the individual Gentile nations have national sovereignty, they have supreme independent authority to govern themselves. In the United States, no other nation dictates to us what we can or cannot do within our borders. Our laws come forth from at least four spheres of jurisdiction. On the Federal level Washington D. C. On the state level our laws come forth from the individual state capitals. There are also County ordinances and City ordinances. Likewise in other nations, depending on what form of government they have, they govern themselves. The laws governing France come from the governing body in Paris. The laws governing England, come from the governing body in London.

3. “...until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

a. until [Strong: 891 áchri, akh'-ree; akin to G206 (through the idea of a terminus); (of time) until or (of place) up to:—as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while.] 

b. [the] times [Strong: 2540 kairós, kahee-ros'; of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:—X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.] 

c. [of the] Gentiles [Strong: 1484 éthnos, eth'-nos; probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):—Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]

d. [be] fulfilled [Strong: 4137 plēróō, play-ro'-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—accomplish, × after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.]

1). In 1948 Israel became a nation again by decree of the United Nations (But fulfilling the word of God). They once again began to control some of the land God had given them. In 1967 they regained control of all of Jerusalem in the Six Day War. This is an indication that the Time of the Gentiles are drawing to a close.

2). In Luke 21:24 Jesus is contrasting the “times of the Gentiles” with something else. The Bible speaks about different times or seasons when things that God has ordained happen according to His calendar. A good example is in the Book of Acts when Jesus spoke of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.

a). Acts 1:6, 7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

3). The restoration of the kingdom to Israel will occur after the return of Christ to this earth, which the Apostle Paul referred to as “his times” The times of Jesus Christ.

a). I Timothy 6:14, 15 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

4). During the times of Jesus Christ, Jesus will be the be the Supreme ruler over all the earth.

a). Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.

5). The absolute independent sovereignty of the nations will be taken from their respective capitals and given to Jesus, the Supreme ruler over all the earth. The first directive I see coming forth from Jerusalem to the nations is to disband their militaries. and the worship of Jesus the Great King in Jerusalem.  

a). Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2:2 And it shall came to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.

2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

b). Micah 4:1-3 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

c). Isaiah 42:1-4 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

6). Hallelujah, Jesus will set judgment in the earth, and the isles, all nations will wait for his law and it will come forth out of Jerusalem as Isaiah and Micah declare. Another directive or “law” is that all nations will come up to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles

a). Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.”

7). It appears that the whole earth will be under a Jewish calendar.

a). Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.