Nations or Gentiles

The four words, Gentiles, heathen, nations, and people, found some 760 times in the AV, represent only one OT Hebrew word and one NT Greek word in the original. They are distinguished from the Jews and the church, 1 Cor. 10:32. A political era called “the times of the Gentiles” began when God gave them world rulership, Dan. 2:38; Jer. 27:6, 7. These times are to be fulfilled as their end draws near, Luke 21:24. Their end will come when Christ sets up His kingdom, Dan. 2:44; Rev. 11:15.

Five principles determine the destiny of the nations: their relationship to God, Psa. 33:12; to the law, Prov. 14:34; to Satan, Isa. 14:12, 16; to God’s present program, Acts 15:14; to the people of Israel, Gen. 12:3.

Sixty passages speak of all nations in the time of the end. For example, iniquity, distress, and perplexity will come to them, Matt. 24:12; Luke 21:25. Multitudes of Gentiles will be saved during the great tribulation, Rev. 7:9, 14. War, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes will threaten the existence of the entire human race, Matt. 24:7, 22. A beast ruler will be given satanic power to rule all nations, Rev. 13:7. After all nations gather at Armageddon, Zech. 14:2; Rev. 16:13-16, Christ will return in judgment, Rev. 19:11-21. Righteous Gentiles will enter His kingdom, Matt. 25:31-34, and serve Him, Dan. 7:14. They will continue into eternity, Rev. 21:24-26.

William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 307.

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