Fourth Period.—The time of the Gentiles—the period in which we now live (Rom. 11:25; Luke 21:24).
Fifth Period.—Will begin with "the lifting of the veil" from the eyes of Israel (2 Cor. 3:15, 16). The close of this period will be a time of great blessing (Rom. 11:15).
The end will witness the final triumph of the religion of the Messiah over Jew and Gentile.
TIME.—About 400 B. C. to present time.
PLACES.—Palestine and Egypt; for the Third Period see later maps.
SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.—The New Testament marks the change from the old dispensation of priests as mediators, to the new, when "Jesus Christ became the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for those of the whole world!"
The New Testament Preview
103. Interval.—Between the close of the Old Testament Period and the opening of that of the New Testament there is an interval of four centuries of silence.
104. Prelude.—This is largely angelic in character. To Zacharias comes the message of the birth of the forerunner. Then follows the angelic annunciation to Mary herself. This in turn is followed by the angelic message to the shepherds and the heavenly chorus on Bethlehem's plain. Heaven stoops to earth to announce its glad tidings. A new creation is heralded, better and grander even than that of the opening chapters of Genesis. One or two events are then recorded in the early life of the Holy Child, and then there is silence for thirty years. It is as though the prelude should end all. But no, the story will not end with mere prelude. It will go on its course till the very last act.
105. First Period.—From John to Jesus. Suddenly John the Baptist breaks on our vision, for his short but decisive part. His message is twofold, and is comprised in the words "Repent," "Prepare." For six short months this fiery preacher calls the nation to prepare for what God has in store for it. Multitudes gather and hearken. Then comes Jesus from Nazareth, and John almost in one breath calls him "Son of God" and "Lamb of God." Two apparently irreconcilable titles, for the one means power and exaltation, and the other sacrifice and humiliation. How these two titles were to blend in one character will be seen in the following acts of the Divine dealing with men.