When Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored by God, little did he realize that the “seven times” were to have a greater fulfillment of a year for each day of the seven prophetic years of 360 days each, a total of 2,520 (7 x 360) years. Little did he realize that it was a prophecy revealing that, from the overthrow of God’s representative kingdom when Jerusalem was desolated in 607 B.C.E., there would be no king of the line of David exercising ruling authority in the affairs of mankind for 2,520 years. During this time ‘Jerusalem would be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations should be fulfilled’​—that is, God would permit Gentile domination of the earth, with no king on the throne representing God. At the end of the 2,520-year period God’s due time would arrive to set his Messiah upon the throne in the heavens. According to Bible chronology and world conditions fulfilling prophecy, these “times of the Gentiles” expired in 1914 C.E.​—Luke 21:24, American Standard Version; Ezek. 21:27.

[Box on page 645]

When the Kingdom of the World Was Entrusted to Christ

Bible foretold God would give “the kingdom of the world” to Christ (Rev. 11:15)

When would this be? After seven symbolic “times” had passed (Dan. 4:10-17)

Immense tree representing kingdom power “cut down” when Jerusalem fell, 607 B.C.E. After “seven times” expired, “bands” would be removed; tree would grow

How long would the “seven times” prove to be? Far more than seven literal years

When on earth, Jesus indicated the symbolic “times” had not expired. (Luke 21:24) Revelation 12:6, 14 shows 1,260 days is equal to three and a half “times”

Each of the “times” must be 360 days (3 ¹⁄₂ × 360 = 1,260)

Each day of prophetic “times” stands for a year (Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6)

Thus “seven times” (7 × 360) is 2,520 years

When did the seven symbolic “times” (2,520 years) begin?

In autumn of 607 B.C.E. when the territory of the typical kingdom of God in Judah was left desolate

When did the seven symbolic “times” end?

2,520 years brings us to autumn of 1914 C.E. (606 ¹⁄₄ + 1913 ³⁄₄ = 2,520)

1914 C.E.​—the marked year when “the kingdom of the world” was entrusted to Christ