"I will raise up for David a righteous Heir, and he shall reign over the kingdom."-Jeremiah 23:5 (Lamsa Translation)

King Saul of Israel did not remain faithful to the LORD and, as a result, his kingdom was given to David. King David was beloved of the LORD who promised him that the great Millennial king, the Messiah, would be one of his descendants.

For several centuries all of Israel's kings were of David's family. Some of the kings were good, many were bad. The last king of the Davidic line was Zedekiah. He was so evil that the LORD God said of him: "You … impious (without reverence) and wicked prince of Israel, your fate has come upon you in the hour of final punishment. … Ruin! Ruin! I will bring about such ruin as never was before, until the rightful sovereign (ruler) comes. Then I will give him (Messiah) all" (Ezekiel 21:25-27 New English Bible).

When God took his kingdom from Zedekiah he told him that he would be taken a prisoner to Babylon and that he would never see Babylon! Both of these prophecies came true. When Zedekiah was taken prisoner, his eyes were put out and he entered Babylon a blind man.

Now God allowed the Gentiles (non-Jews) to have dominion (rulership) over the nations. The lease of power would last for 2,520 years-from 606 B.C. (when Zedekiah lost his throne) to 1914 A.D.

In Bible symbolism each day represents a year. The Jewish year had twelve months of thirty days each. Thus, each year represented three hundred and sixty years. There would be a complete overthrow of Israel's government for a period of "seven times" (Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24).

By multiplying 7 times 360 we can see that the period of time that the kingdom would be "ruined" (though not completely destroyed) would be 2,520 years. In August of 1914 World War I began. This marked the end of the Gentile times (the 2,520 years). World War I caused tremendous changes in all the governments of the world. They have been in a state of change ever since, with very few monarchs still reigning-and those who are have very little power.

Yes, the throne was taken from God's chosen people and the land lay desolate. But they were left with one hope: "until he come whose right it is, and I will give it him" (Ezekiel 21:27).

Most of the kings of Judah were wicked, as was Zedekiah, their last king!

Gentile governments were to rule Israel for 2,520 years!

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