… not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Summary: Looking into the details of God’s Word is always interesting. Mediating on how Paul came to know things about Jesus is also interesting.
It is easy to blast through this stuff when I am doing my daily Bible reading. I just bounce along from one word to the next like I was reading the ingredients on a pizza box or something. The problem with this approach is that I often miss important details. The thing is, that since God himself is the Author of this book we are discussing, we can be sure that every word is replete with meanings. Today’s passage is a good example.
In this passage, Paul is talking about Jesus. He likes doing that because he knows Jesus personally. Not like the disciples did, but in a way that Jesus saw fit for Paul. He taught him by direct revelation. It is hard for me to imagine what that would be like.
I remember an episode of Star Trek where Spock’s brain was stolen by aliens.* At the end of the episode, Dr. McCoy had to put it back in. To do that, he had to expose his brain to an alien teaching device that could impart knowledge that was significantly above the ability of normal humans. I suppose that, in some ways, getting a revelation from God is like that. In the TV show, the catch was that the new knowledge only lasted for a couple of hours and then disappeared. In the Bible, Paul writes it down and sends it off to everyone he knows.
Paul often makes casual references to stuff he knows. This is what makes him a good teacher. He knows a lot of interesting stuff. Some of what he knows comes from his early studies as a student of Gamaliel. Other things were revealed directly by Jesus. Which is which? We don’t always know. In many cases, it could be both.
In today’s text, Paul references two “ages.” “Age” in this context is not a reference to how old someone is, but instead, is a reference to a period of history. But what is “history?” From our perspective, “history” is in the past. From God’s perspective, history includes the past, present, and future because God exists outside of time (Psalm 90:4).
In this light, the “present age” Paul mentions is very likely all of human history. The “one to come” is likely the time Isaiah refers to when God says through him, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17) John also writes about this in his vision about the future, “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” (Revelation 21:1)
Application: Don’t stress if this “age” is not working out like you hoped it would. There’s a new age a’comin’.
Food for Thought: What is the purpose of the “age to come?”
*Season 3, Episode 1, “Spock’s Brain” (Link to abbreviated version – https://youtu.be/2zKDQfVbWqc)
One purpose relates to Jesus’ inheritance, which seems to be a good focal point based on the context. Jesus has an inheritance of people who are His from every nation, people, tribe and language (Revelations 7: 9 – 10). Jesus is the rightful ruler and He will rule with people worshipping Him (Psalm 2: 7 – 8; Daniel 2: 44 – 45; Daniel 7: 13 – 14).
We also receive an inheritance in which we reign with the King (He is an unselfish, loving King – 1 Peter 1: 3 – 5; Revelation 2: 25 – 27). He died for us and He bought us at a great price (1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20). Thankfully, belonging to Him has all sorts of benefits, some of which were covered earlier in the book of Ephesians (1: 3 – 14). But ultimately our great inheritance is an unhindered relationship with our Creator when the curse is fully reversed – which is a key purpose to the age to come (Revelation chapters 21 – 22).
Wow, Rich! Thank you!!
I appreciate your “deep dive” into the “age to come!”
(I put a link to all the verses you referenced here.)
03-19-2023, What is the purpose of the “age to come?”
The present age
This time, the present age of this world, covers the period from creation to the second coming of Jesus Christ. This period of time is filled with disobedience , it is evil , it knows suffering and death , its philosophy is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
Ephesians 2:2, Galatians 1:4, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 20:34-40,1 Corinthians 1:20, James 3:15.
Satan, is restrained, bound yet continues to influence this fallen and wicked age, which will continue until the return of Christ when He brings with Him, His Kingdom, the age to come.
2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 John 5:19.
The age to come
The age to come, begins at the second coming of Christ and lasts for all eternity. An eternal, with all rule, authority and power that opposes the purposes of Christ, destroyed. The bodies of those who are in Christ are completely redeemed , and all creation reaches its fullness as originally created by God.
2 Corinthians 4:18,1 Corinthians 15:24-26, Romans 8:21-23
Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and sulfur and the Kingdom of God will be consummated in Christ at the end of time
Revelation 20:10; 22:1.
Thank you, Ron!
Very well researched! I especially like the plain speaking in Mark 10: 30 —
“…and in the age to come eternal life.”
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