Obadiah 1:16

Edom had her "day" on the Lord’s holy mountain, Jerusalem, when she failed to help her brother, Israel. Likewise, all the nations would have their "day" dominating Jerusalem and the Jews, during "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). We live in "the times of the Gentiles." This period of history began when Nebuchadnezzar removed Israel’s sovereignty in 586 B.C. and will end when Jesus Christ returns to the earth and restores Israel’s sovereignty. During "the times of the Gentiles" Israel is being "trodden down by the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). Obadiah described Israel’s enemies as drinking there in celebration of their dominion over the Israelites (cf. Exodus 32:6; 1 Samuel 30:16). Though they would celebrate to the point of delirium, God would destroy them, and they would become as though they had never existed. They would drink the cup of His wrath (cf. Psalms 60:3; Psalms 75:8; Isaiah 51:17-23; Jeremiah 25:17-26; Jeremiah 25:28-29; Jeremiah 49:12-13; Habakkuk 2:15-16).

"The verse apparently precludes any trace of the nations remaining . . ., yet there will be a remnant of various nations in the Millennium (Isaiah 2:2-4; Amos 9:12; Micah 4:1-3; Zechariah 14:16-19). How are these two ideas to be reconciled? The answer perhaps lies in the difference between the concept of nations before and during the Millennium. Before the golden age of Messiah’s rule on earth the nations consider themselves sovereign and fight to maintain their individual rights. When Christ returns, however, only those from the nations who have called on the Lord’s name will enter. Also, they will be under one King and no longer a threat to Israel’s existence. Therefore, the nations as we presently know them will exist no more once the Millennium begins. In any case, Obadiah dwells only on the destruction of the old order as far as the nations are concerned." [Note: Finley, p. 372.]