This expression refers to the period of time (presently running its course) when the seat of God’s government in the earth—which was once with the house of David in Israel (1 Chron. 29:23)—has been transferred to the Gentiles on account of Israel’s failure. It began when Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh-necho in 606 B.C. whereupon the Babylonians became the undisputed rulers of the habitable world (2 Kings 24:1-4; Jer. 46:2; Dan. 2:37; 5:18-19). The supremacy of the Gentiles has continued through the reigns of the Medes and Persians, the Grecian Empire, and the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:31-45; 7:1-27). The Lord said that Jerusalem would be “trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). This does not mean that Jerusalem would be literally leveled to rubble until “the times of the Gentiles” closes, but that it would be subjugated beneath the foot of the Gentiles until that time.
What brings “the times of the Gentiles” to a close is Christ’s coming as the Son of Man to judge the world—His Appearing (Luke 21:25-28; Dan. 2:35, 44). At that time, the Lord will judge the Gentile nations and will deliver Israel from that yoke. When the nation of Israel is restored, “the throne of the LORD” will be transferred back to the house of David in Jerusalem (Jer. 3:17) and Israel will rule over the Gentile nations according to God’s original purpose for them (Deut. 28:13; Psa. 47:2-3; Jer. 51:19-20; Micah 5:7-9).