Final answer:
The timing of God clearing away the nations as described in biblical prophecies is not specifically determined, and eschatological events are believed to occur at God's discretion. The Bible recounts various divine judgments through means like the Flood, plagues, and wars as seen in the books of Ezekiel, Numbers, and Genesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding the time when God will clear away the nations pertains to eschatological beliefs found in religious texts, specifically in the context of prophecies from the Bible. Eschatology is a part of theology concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the Last Judgment. The passages quoted from the book of Ezekiel (EZ) and Numbers (NU) in the Bible depict various instances where God enacts judgment upon nations and peoples through different means such as sword, famine, plague, and natural disasters. These texts reflect the belief that divine judgment can occur at any time as decreed by God, and it's not specified to a particular period.
In theological discussions and interpretations of scripture, it is understood that the exact timing of such divine interventions is typically unknown and subject to various interpretations. The idea that God will clear away nations as a punishment for sin is a concept found throughout the Bible. For instance, the Flood narrative in Genesis (GE) describes a time when God decided to cleanse the earth of wickedness by flooding it, sparing only Noah and his family. In another example, Numbers (NU) details God causing the earth to consume rebellious men and sending plagues as punishment.
In historical terms, many events of mass destruction throughout history have been attributed to divine wrath by various groups, such as in the case of the Jews during disasters where they were blamed and persecuted by other nations. The distribution of God's judgment, as seen in these passages, serves as a powerful narrative to instill moral conduct and reverence for divine authority within the religious communities.