When Jesus was condemned to death by those that were His it became the time of the Gentiles. His own (the original olive tree branches) rejected Him thus opening the door wide for any who believe to be saved through His death and resurrection (those grafted into the olive tree). We are in the time of the Gentiles still.
Luke 21:24
24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Revelation 11:1-2
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers.
2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
When all the saints have endured and all is completed through those grafted in, when the church unites with one mind and heart. As Jesus said, ” By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Then the times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled and original and wild branches will join as one body.
Before getting into what, exactly, Jesus predicted it should be understood what garments symbolize. Here are some scriptures about garments.
Genesis 3:21
21 And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.
Matthew 23:5
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries (boxes containing scripture worn on the head and arm, a.k.a. teffilin) wide and the tassels on their garments long;
Isaiah 64:6
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Matthew 22:11
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.
Zechariah 3:3-4
3 Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.
4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And to him he said, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel.
Mark 10: 49-52
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?”Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Isaiah 61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Revelation 19:8
8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Isaiah 59:6
6 Their webs cannot serve as clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands.
Revelation 16:15
15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Genesis 37:3
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.
Psalm 22:18
18 they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Matthew 27:35
35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
John 19:23
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
Deuteronomy 22:12
12 You shall make tassels on the four corners of the cloak with which you cover yourself.
Also relating to four corners:
Revelation 7:1
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.
So garments can represent ‘ways’ spiritually, like the blind man tossing aside his cloak ‘way’ to go to Jesus, be healed, and follow Jesus’ Way instead of his own. Or the sinner’s way being filthy rags and those walking Christ’s Way being the righteous deeds.
The four shares/corners are ‘all encompassing’, the whole of something. Like the leaders in Jesus’ time lengthening their tassels which are worn on the four corners of their garments, thus adding to the view of themselves-making themselves appear all around greater than they were. Like the whole of the earth or the whole of His, Jesus’, outer garments being parceled in pieces all across the earth.
Notice, right before it is mentioned that the guards cast lots and parted His garments, Jesus says “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. The guards were Roman, symbolic of Gentiles, parting Jesus’ garments.
Jesus is showing His awareness that there would be denominations within the Christian church which is now led predominantly by Gentiles. Parts of His Way then being disputed amongst the people which then divide to follow separate beliefs, no longer being united:
Revelation 11:2
2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
The outer court in the diagram of the temple is like outer garments on a body-the body representing God’s temple where His Spirit resides. John was told to measure the temple of God (the body) and it’s altar (God’s throne within the body) along with it’s worshippers (the spirits within the body).
He knew this would happen and wanted us to see His forgiveness for this. Hopefully we, like Him, can unite again without fighting over things that have caused division among His people.
May His One Truth be revealed in completeness to His church so there is no more dividing between His people. That we might stand as a united front in Him and for Him against the enemy-the spiritual principalities of darkness in the high places within the heavenly realms.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
The Heart of the Covenant 