Gentiles came first, then Jews, and then the Church in the historical order. Today God recognizes all three as being present on the earth. Much of what we have written and most of the articles in this monthly magazine are about the Church or the Jews (Israel). This month we will consider the Gentiles.
In Scripture, the name Gentile is used to denote any and every nation except Israel. Gen. 10:55By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. (Genesis 10:5) gives the first mention of them, "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations." This was two or three hundred years before the call of Abraham from whom Israel was born of Isaac.
With the children of Israel, God worked for fifteen hundred years to test Man under law and the result is announced in Rom. 3:19,19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19) "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
Christ announced the Church in Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) saying, "I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." This work Christ began by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and it is still going on. The Church is formed from Jews and Gentiles through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.
The times of the Gentiles began when God transferred the power of government to Nebuchadnezzar at Babylon (Dan. 2:37, 3837Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. (Daniel 2:37‑38).) Three other empires succeeded that of Babylon, and the times of the Gentiles still continue under various phases of government. They will continue until the last head of the last form of the imperial revived Roman Empire is cast alive into a lake of fire. (Rev. 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20).)
The fullness of the Gentiles is spoken of in connection with the olive tree. It is God's tree of promise and richness of blessing on the earth. According to Jer. 11:16,16The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. (Jeremiah 11:16) Israel was that tree. Because of unbelief some of the branches were broken off, and contrary to nature, some Gentiles were "grafted in among them." Rom. 11:1717And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (Romans 11:17).
Now we come to the warning to the Gentiles and this is the point we want to strongly press: "Boast not against the branches" is the first warning. Unbelief brought about the removal of the central place of blessing to the Jew. Now we seriously ask, have the Gentiles been any better in their record of believing God and His Word?
“Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee," is the next warning. This applies very much at this present time. God has had much patience with the Gentiles. This nearly two thousand years of the gospel of the grace of God offered to all, but especially to the Gentiles, fully proves His long-suffering.
Next we read in verse 22 of Rom. 11, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou [Gentiles] continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Is that time drawing near? Oh, that men would hear God's solemn warnings. He always warns before He judges.
Today Gentiles outnumber Jews about three hundred fifty to one. This confirms the fact that now is the times of the Gentiles. The goodness of God has indeed been poured out upon the Gentiles. In the millennial day, all twelve tribes of Israel will again be in the central place of blessing under Christ Jesus who will be owned as their Messiah. Around them will be the nations, that is, Gentiles. (Rev. 7:4-104And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Revelation 7:4‑10).) Ed.