The Book of Daniel

The book of Daniel has to do with the period in world history called "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). This term refers to the time when God's dominion of the world would no longer be governed from His seat in Jerusalem, as it had been (1 Chronicles 29:32), but when it would be placed into the hands of the Gentiles.

As to how and why God ordered this transfer of dominion to the Gentiles, Deuteronomy 32:8-9 and Ezekiel 5:5 tell us that when the Most High originally divided the nations, He had in mind that the children of Israel, His chosen people, would be the center of the nations, and that Jerusalem would be His seat of rule. However, on account of Israel's failure to represent God properly before the world, and after much longsuffering patience, God ceased to govern the earth from Zion. To continue in status quo would give a wrong message to the world.

It will be seen in Daniel's prophecies that the Gentiles have completely broken down in their responsability to govern the earth. Thus, when Christ appears at His second coming, He will bring an end to the times of the Gentiles by judging those Gentile powers and will restore the remnant of Israel to Himself. At that time, Christ will establish His millenial kingdom, and once again He wil govern the world from Zion, as Jeremiah says: "At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the lOrd; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 3:17).