Unlike the interpretation of the Watchtower today, Pastor Russell believed (as do Bible Students today) that the ending of the Gentile Times had everything to do with the nation of Israel and nothing to do with theChurch itself.
20 ?When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for there will be great distress in the land Or the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles Or nations until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:20-24 - Holman BibleDoes this context really need to be interpreted any differently than it reads? This context seems self explanatory. It seems to reference Matthew 24 (first few verses) and what would happen to the nation of Israel. It would seem to suggest that the nation of Israel would be destroyed and ruled by Gentiles. "So when they had come together, they asked Him, ?Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel??" (Acts 1:6) Historically we know this happened so it is partially fufilled. The Gentiles would "trample" Jerusalem until the "Times of the Gentiles" are fulfilled. At that point one would expect the Gentiles to no longer rule the nation of Israel. This too we see as fulfilled. Israel is a nation again and they have their own homeland.RR