Ages

Ephesians 3:9; Ephesians 1:10; Matthew 12:32; Galatians 1:4; 1 Timothy 6:18‑19; Matthew 13:39‑40,49  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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Ages are sometimes confused with dispensations, but they are different. An age is an epoch or period of time that has run, or is running, or will run, its course on earth. Such periods are called “the ages of time” (2 Tim. 1:99Who 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, (2 Timothy 1:9); Titus 1:22In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)). A dispensation, as we have already noted, is a public ordering of God in the administration of His ways pertaining to certain moral and spiritual requirements of those in His house. These administrations may change during an age, but they are not an age. Some have homogenized ages and dispensations and made them into the same thing. For instance, Unger’s Bible Dictionary says, “A dispensation is an era of time during which man is tested.” C. I. Scofield's scheme of “Seven Dispensations” is another example of this mixture. However, Scripture distinguishes these two things, as we have noted.
The Lord Spoke of Two Ages
The Lord spoke of two ages in particular in His ministry:
Some have thought that the present calling of God by the gospel has put the Mosaic age in abeyance, and it will not begin again until some future day. But this is not true; the Mosaic age is still running its course on earth today. The coming of the Holy Spirit and the introduction of Christianity did not bring it to an end. Nor did it begin a new age; the age that was in progress when the Lord was here is still in progress now. However, while the Mosaic age is not suspended, God’s connection with Israel as a nation is in abeyance. Those who believe the gospel are called out of the Jews and the Gentiles to be part of the Church; they are delivered “out of this present evil age,” and are no longer part of it, as far as their position is concerned (Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4)). The Church, therefore, has no connection with the earth and the periods of time. Hence, to speak of this present period as “the Church age” is not doctrinally accurate.
The Church is on earth at this present time as a sojourner on its way to its heavenly home; its calling, character, and destiny are all heavenly (2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1); Eph. 1:3; 2:6; 6:123Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12); Phil. 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20); Col. 1:55For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (Colossians 1:5); Heb. 3:1; 11:16; 12:22; 13:141Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16)
22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22)
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14); 1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4)). Since the Church is still on earth and passing through “this age” which is marked by evil, the exhortations of the Apostle are to keep ourselves separate from its character and ways. We are to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, is this present age” (Titus 2:1212Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:12)). Believers are to reject the wisdom of this age, because “God has made foolish the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor. 1:2020Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20)). Also, Christians who are “rich in the present age” materially are warned to not “trust in uncertain riches” (1 Tim. 6:1717Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (1 Timothy 6:17)). They are to distribute their possessions, and thereby lay “up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come” (1 Tim. 6:18-1918That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:18‑19)). Sad to report, some Christians today are turning from their steadfastness, and are loving “this present age,” and are settling down in the world as a result. Demas is an example (2 Tim. 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)).
We know from the prophetic Scriptures that this present age has at least 7 more years remaining to it, which will run their course after the Church is called to heaven. These years will be fulfilled in the seventieth week of Daniel (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)). This age is presently under the control of Satan who is its god and prince (2 Cor. 4:44In 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. (2 Corinthians 4:4); Eph. 2:22Wherein 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: (Ephesians 2:2)), and it is going on to judgment. It will close at the Appearing of Christ in what is called, “the completion of the age” (Matt. 13:39-40, 49; 24:3; 28:2039The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (Matthew 13:39‑40)
49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, (Matthew 13:49)
3And 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? (Matthew 24:3)
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)). At that time, the Lord will bring in “the age to come,” which is the Millennium (Matt. 12:3232And 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 12:32); Mark 10:3030But 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. (Mark 10:30); Eph. 1:2121Far 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: (Ephesians 1:21); Heb. 2:5; 6:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5)
5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (Hebrews 6:5)). When the Millennium has run its course of 1000 years, the Eternal State will be ushered in. Scripture calls this, “The ages of ages” (Gal. 1:55To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:5); Eph. 2:7; 3:217That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21); 1 Tim. 1:1717Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17); 1 Peter 5:1111To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:11); Rev. 5:13; 22:513And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)
5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)). Properly speaking, it is not really an age, because ages have to do with time, and there is no time in eternity.
Summary of an Age
In summary, an “age” is a period of time, and a “dispensation” is a moral and spiritual ordering of God during a period of time in relation to some specific revelation of truth He has given to His house. In accord with this, J. N. Darby spoke of being “in” an age, but “under” a dispensation (Collected Writings, vol. 10, p. 12).
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