Prophecies and Course of the Present Age

This Present Age – Lesson I of 3 - God’s Plan For This Present Age

God’s plan through the Ages – When we refer to the Old Testament and the New Testament, we must realize that God has divided His program into time segments. The history of revelation demonstrates the progress of divine revelation through successive ages. In this series of lessons, we will focus on “this present age.”

I. We can see God’s sovereign purpose in His ordering of the sequence of the ages.- His program of the ages is shown:

A. Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Daniel 2:31-45; 7:1-28; 9:24-27; Hosea 3:4&5; Matthew 23:37- 25:46; Acts 15:13-18; Romans 11:13-29; II Thessalonians 3:1-12; Revelation 2:1 – 22:31

B. There are also well defined periods of time connected to God’s purpose

1. Paul writes of the time between Adam and Moses, making Adam a type

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

2. John writes of a law as given by Moses, but of grace and truth coming from Christ.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

3. Christ also speaks of the “Times of the Gentiles” – as opposed to Jewish “times and seasons”

Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Acts 1: 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

I Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

4. Christ also spoke of a before unannounced period between His two advents, and gave their characteristics.

Matthew 13:1-51

5. Christ predicted a yet future time of Great Tribulation and explained it.

Matthew 24:9-31

6. There are last days for Israel

Isaiah 2:1-5

7. As well as last days for the church

II Timothy 3:1-5

8. John speaks of a period of 1000 years and relates this to the reign of Christ, with His bride reigning with Him

Revelation 20: 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

9. The angel Gabriel declares that Christ will sit on the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever:

Luke 1: 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

10. There will be a new heaven and a new earth forever:

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. {come…: Heb. come upon the heart}

II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

11. There is a dividing line between times past when God spoke through prophets to the fathers, and these last days, when He is speaking to us by His Son.

Hebrews 1:1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

12. There are ages past

Ephesians 3: 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

13. There is the present age

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Galatians 1: 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

14. The age or ages to come

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {heaven: Gr. the heavens}

II. As we study the present age, we are really only studying one portion of God’s eternal plan

A. Christ is the very center of God’s program

1. The ages were ordered around Christ.

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

2. Christ is related to the program of the ages – King Eternal

I Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

I Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. Christ’s work on the cross is the center of the ages

Hebrews 9: 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

I Corinthians 10: 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. {ensamples: or, types}

4. Christ’s work on the cross was planned before the ages started

I Corinthians 2: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

II Timothy 1: 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 1: 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; {In: or, For}

5. What is now known in this age was a mystery in past ages

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

B. The word “age” (Often translated “world”) in the New Testament

1. The Greek words used

a. aion, “age” – (often translated “world”) means a “space of time”

1. Views the world by an aspect of time

2. Sometimes used synonymous with oikoumene – (referring to the inhabited earth) as Titus 2:12

3. Sometimes used synonymous with kosmos – (referring to the ordered universe) as II Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, & II Timothy 4:10 –

a. To refer to the domination of the world by satan

b. When used like this it is used in the same ethical sense of the ungodly, the world apart from God or evil. John 7:7; 14:17, 27; I Corinthians 1:21; James 1:27; I John 4:4

d. Sometimes used in the sense of all eternity – Matthew 6:13, Luke 1:33, 55, John 6:51, 58; 8:35; 12:34; Romans 9:5; 11:36; II Corinthians 9:9; Philippians 4:20; Hebrews 7:17, 21; I Peter 1:25; Revelation 15:7

e. Also used frequently as separate ages of God dealing with men

1. Can mean times past

2. The present age

3. Age to come

b. kosmos – (world) – refers to an ordered universe

c. oikoumene – (world) – refers to the inhabited earth.

2. When aion is used as an age when God deals with man in a special way:

a. Referring to Israel

1. Reference to a present age for Israel – Matthew 12:32, Mark 4:19

Matthew 12: 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

2. A future age for Israel – Matthew 12:32, 13:39-40; 24:3, Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; 20:35

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Luke 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

b. The Program for the church

1. This present age – I Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 1:4

2. The future age of the church – Ephesians 1:21

2. We have to keep in mind what is meant by the present age and future age because of when it is revealed, context, and speaker and person spoken to.

a. The present age for the church, by Paul, is not the same as the present age spoken by Christ for Israel

b. The expectation in the future for the church is not the same as for Israel

c. We must interpret the use of the word, we must keep in mind the:

1. Context of the verse

2. Time when the term is being used

3. To whom it is revealed

Or confusion will result

3. It is used in the New Testament, this present age, refers to the time which the speaker or writer then lived

a. To Israel

1. To Israel, in the Gospels, this present age, refers to a period of time that Israel was anticipating the Messiah’s coming to fulfill the Covenants

2. The coming age was the age started by the Messiah at His Advent

b. To the church

1. “This present age” refers to a time between the rejection of the Messiah by Israel to Israel’s receiving Him at His Second Advent

2. “The coming age” could be used about the church while on earth

a. To what the church will be related

Ephesians 1: 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

b. In eternity

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus

C. This present age has an evil designation in the New Testament

1. It is called an “evil age”

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

2. Satan is its god

II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

3. It is marked by spiritual darkness

I Corinthians 2: 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

I Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

4. It is marked by ungodliness and lust

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

5. We are to turn away

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

6. We used to walk along with this present world

Ephesians 2: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

D. This present age is distinct and different from all previous ages

1. In all previous ages Christ was anticipated, but in this present age,

a. He has not only come,

b. But has died

c. And has been resurrected

d. And is looked to at the right hand of the Father

2. The Holy Spirit manifests differently in this age

a. Before came to men temporarily for them to perform a specific mission

b. Now resides in men providing Comfort, Teaching, Power to witness, Prayer language, Gift of Tongues.

3. In previous ages, the good news was anticipated, in this present age, the good news demonstrates salvation through Christ’s blood

4. The revelation was incomplete – only in type, but now Christ came and revealed the Father, this age’s revelation is complete

5. This age is known by hostility to God and His anointed, it is known as an evil age not given to any age in the past

6. This age is uniquely under dominion of satan, its god

7. The nation of Israel has been set aside as the particular focus of God’s dealing with man and can not expect the fulfillment of the promises during this age

III. God’s Purpose in This Present Age

A. The Old Testament Age

1. Purpose of God for Israel is stated in the Covenants

2. God entered Himself in and bound Himself to those Covenants

3. The promises were not realized at the end of that age

B. After the death of Christ

1. God began a new divine program – not replacing Israel’s program

2. But it did interrupt Israel’s program

3. The new program was taught by Christ in John 13-16

4. The new program began at Pentecost at the Advent of the Holy Spirit

C. The Jerusalem Council stated that God visited the Gentiles to “take out of them a people”:

Acts 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

1. This “taking out of a people” makes up God’s program for this present age

a. This people constitutes the church, the body, of which He is the Head

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

b. It makes up the bride of which He is the Bridegroom

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

c. The branch of which He is the supporting Vine

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

d. The flock of which He is the Shepard

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

e. The temple of which He is the Cornerstone

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

I Peter 2: 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

f. The ministering priests of which He is the High Priest

I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. {are: or, be ye}

I Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, {precious: or, an honour}

I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: {peculiar: or, purchased} {praises: or, virtues}

g. The new creation of which He is the Head and the First-fruits

I Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

2. The Reason For This Calling Out:

Ephesians 2: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

IV. The Mystery of this Present Age

A. The time of this present age – The rejection of the Messiah by Israel until the coming acceptance of Him by Israel at His Second Advent.

B. That the Gentiles would be called out is clearly referred to as a “mystery”

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Colossians 1:25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; {to fulfil…: or, fully to preach the word}

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}

C. Mystery in the New Testament means something which before was not revealed, therefore unknown, but now is made known by God.

D. Other Scripture agrees:

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

I Corinthians 2: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

E. The Modern usage of “mystery” means something mysterious or unknown, the New Testament uses the word

1. The divine program or purpose of God

2. Known to Him from eternity

3. Could not or would not be known unless revealed by God

4. Unknown in other ages

5. Now made known by revelation

F. The New Testament usage of the “mystery”

1. 27 times used and means added revelation in this present age – (Except for

I Corinthians 2:7 where the modern meaning is best.)

2. They give added revelation concerning this present age that supplements the Old Testament revelation.

G. The New Testament Mysteries – Make up the major portion of God’s plan for this present age

1. God’s established plan for Israel was called a mystery

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

2. That Israel was to be blinded so that the Gentiles might be brought into relation to God was a mystery

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

3. The formation of the church, made up of Jews and Gentiles to form a body was called a mystery

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {afore…: or, a little before}

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}

Ephesians 1: 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

4. This whole program of God that results in salvation was called a mystery

I Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

5. The relation of Christ to men in redemption is called a mystery

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. {In whom: or, Wherein}

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

6. The accomplishment of the Incarnation itself was called a mystery

I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

7. The development of evil through the evil deeds of the man of sin is called a mystery:

II Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

8. The development of the great apostate religious system is called a mystery

Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {harlots: or, fornications}

Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

9. That there is resurrection to the presence of God other than by death is called a mystery

I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

I Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {grave: or, hell}

IV. This new age which only interrupts temporarily God’s plan for Israel is the strongest point of premillenialism

A. The amillennialist has to prove that the church is the consummation of God’s plan

B. The amillennialist has to prove that there is no new revealed plan of God in this present age