The Ages

MoJo · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:27 am Post subject: The Ages

This seemed like the most suitable forum, so I have placed it here.

Apoc, I have not done an extensive study on this, but have formed certain impressions from other reading. One of those, is that there are 3 distinct periods with the 4th being eternal peace.

In order to tell you why I believe that, I have to give you some background which will no doubt draw some controversy because of the connotations.

The best way I know how to describe my thoughts is to say that I believe the OT to be like a play. We have real life and we have life taking place on a stage. The world is the stage and mankind the actors and God the director. What takes place on this stage reflects what is real. (the spiritual world) The scenes are literal to the actors who don't know they are in a play, but these scenes are symbolic reflections of what is real.

One of the most obvious and apparent is the story of Abraham and Isaac. The father sacrificing the son and the son going willingly. It's a no-brainer. However, there are many scenes.

In regards to the topic of the ages, I believe the story of Jacob speaks to this. Part of his story deals with time; 7 + 7 + 6. I believe this symbolizes 7 thousand years, + 7 thousand years + 6 thousand years equalling "3 ages" if you will.

This will raise many objections, because the connotation is that by God directing these scenes, we don't have free will.
Very Happy

Javan · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

Mojo,

I am not certain about the length of ages and such, but I will let you know that I do believe that humanity (the overall human race) is destined to live through many "ages" and vast changes.

I agree with your analogy - this life is nothing but an act. However, I would like to add that this is merely ACT 1...

The Bible is the prologue (from Genesis to Revelation) - the real story begins when this world comes to an end and we are forevermore with Him.

apocatastasis · King of the Jungle Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1827

Mojo,

MoJo · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:53 pm Post subject:

sorry i haven't answered you, but been busy with other subjects on two boards. I'll get back to this. Very Happy

Smilin' Jacks · Pit Bull Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 354

Forgive me if I am speaking out of turn...

Van · Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

As You Like It ... All the world is a stage...

But Not As It Is

An Age is a complete period of time

Or a period with beginning and no end

Or a period with no beginning but an end

Or the period with no beginning and no end

such as the complete period of the existence of God.

Within creation, governed by time we have complete periods,

such as our individual life times.

And the complete period of all the periods is all time,

plus the periods before time and after time

A complete period called eternity

such as the period of the existence of God.

apocatastasis · King of the Jungle Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1827

Van · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:53 pm Post subject:

Yes, they make no sense to you because they are inconsistent with your doctrine.

Possibility one, you are correct and the online lexicons are wrong.

Possiblity two, you have been taken in by a cult that features ends-driven exigesis.

Evidence for possibility 2 would be the existence of a specially concocted Bible where all the loose ends have been stitched up using selective and inconsistent translation rules.

apocatastasis · King of the Jungle Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1827

Smilin' Jacks · Pit Bull Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 354

admin · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:41 am Post subject:

ends-driven exigesis - that's a mouthful!

Reaper · Hamster Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 86

“I have not done an extensive study on this, but have formed certain impressions from other reading. One of those, is that there are 3 distinct periods with the 4th being eternal peace.” Mojo

“I am not certain about the length of ages and such, but I will let you know that I do believe that humanity (the overall human race) is destined to live through many "ages" and vast changes.” Javan

“I do think that there must be at least five ages outlined in Scripture, for the Bible speaks of ages past, the present age, and ages to come. All of these ages come to an end, and there will be a conclusion of all the ages. Therefore, I don't see any warrant for proposing that an age can be eternal.” Apocatastasis

From the forgone quotes it is apparent that many are still relatively confused as to exactly how the various epochs (worlds) are divided and likewise how these are subsequently subdivided into their perspective ages.

Actually God’s plan for man’s recovery is divided into three great periods known as epochs, the last two of these are divided further into specific ages. 2 Peter 3:5-13 teaches us that each of these three worlds has its own “heavens” (powers of spiritual control) and “earth” (human society).

These three great epochs or dispensations called “worlds” in the Common Version, in the Greek, kosmos, meaning “arrangement” Strong’s 3622, represent three distinct manifestations of divine providence.

The first, from creation to the flood, was under the ministration of angels, and is called by Peter "THE WORLD THAT WAS." 2 Pet. 3:6

The second great epoch, from the flood to the establishment of the kingdom of God, is under the limited control of Satan, "the prince of this world," and is therefore called "THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD." Gal. 1:4; 2 Pet. 3:7

The third is to be a "world without end" (Isa. 45:17) under divine administration, the kingdom of God, and is called "THE WORLD TO COME--wherein dwells righteousness." Heb. 2:5; 2 Pet. 3:13

Thus Mojo was correct when he stated that there were three distinct periods, however it is the third, which shall bring in eternal peace. Now Apocatastasis is also somewhat correct in his assertion that the scriptures denote several ages, four to be precise.

This “present evil age” is divided into three distinct periods of time, the first being the “Patriarchal Age” or dispensation, because during that period God’s dealings and favors were with a few individuals only, the remainder of mankind being almost ignored. Such favored ones were the patriarchs Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and etc.

At Jacob’s death, his descendants were first called ‘the twelve tribes of Israel,’ and were together recognized of God as his ‘peculiar people;’ and through typical sacrifices they were typically ‘a holy nation,’ separated from other nations for a particular purpose, and therefore to enjoy certain special favors. "You only have I known (recognized with favor) of all the families of the earth." (Amos 3:2) The time allotted to this feature of the divine plan, beginning here and ending at the death of Christ, we designate the “Jewish Age”, or “Age of the Prophets”, it is also known as the “Law dispensation.” These, AS A NATION, were typical of the Christian Church, the "holy nation, the peculiar people." The promises made to them were typical of the "better promises" made to us.

That this national favor ended with their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus is shown by Jesus’ words when, five days before his crucifixion, he declared, ‘Your house is left unto you desolate.’ — Matt 23:38. There, at Jesus death a new age began — the Christian Age or Gospel Dispensation, wherein should be heralded good tidings of justification, not to the Jew only, but to all nations; for Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man.”

This last period of time, the time in which we live now, the “Gospel Age” is the period during which the body of Christ is called out of the world, and shown by faith the crown of life, and the exceeding great and precious promises whereby (by obedience to the call and its requirements) they may become partakers of the divine nature. (2 Pet 1:4) Evil is still permitted to reign over or rule the world, in order that by contact with it these may be thoroughly tried (1 Pet 1:7-9).

The third epoch, “the world to come” is likewise divided into specific ages, Millennium, signifying a thousand years, is by common consent used as the name for the period mentioned in Rev 20:4 --the thousand years of Christ's reign, the first age in the "world to come." During the Millennial age, the Lord has promised that there will be a restitution of all things lost by the fall of Adam (Acts 3:19-21), and before its close all tears shall have been wiped away. Beyond its boundary, in the ages of blessedness to follow, there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain. The former things will have passed away. (Rev 21:4)

The scriptures do not mention specifically what will be the nature of the work in the ages which will follow the Millennial age, but we can be assured that whatever it is, it will be glorious, for he has promised, “that in the ages to come he [will] show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7)

Thus Javan is correct when he states that it is his belief that, “humanity (the overall human race) is destined to live through many "ages" and vast changes.”

MoJo · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:07 am Post subject:

In regards to its relationship with the story of Jacob, the Millenial age would be the last six years Jacob served Laban at the end of which time he seperated the sheep permanently. Very Happy