God began “time” as we know it when He first created the “angels” and the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-15). The concept of “time” will cease to be when God destroys all that now exists throughout creation along with all trace of sin and rebellion that occurred against Him (2 Pet. 3:10-12). This will happen after the "Great White Throne Judgment" of all those people who opposed the will of God in whatever “age” they lived (Rev. 20:11-15). Then God will create new heavens and a new earth and “time” as we now know it will forever cease to be (Isa. 64:4; 65:17; 66:22; 1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-5, 9-22:5).
An "age" is a definite period of time during which those people who live are tested by God as to their obedience to some specific revelation of His will. In other words, an “age” is a distinguishable time period in the outworking of God's purpose (Mt. 24:3; Heb. 9:26)! These periods of time are also known as “economies” or “dispensations.” The English word “age” is translated from the Greek noun "aion" which has various connota-tions, e.g. "a period of time, an age, perpetuity of time, eternity or forever." The word "dispensation" comes from the Greek word "oikonomia," which comes from a verb meaning "to administer" or "to manage"(Lk.16:1-2).
In the Holy Bible there are five "ages" that are distinguishable and can be easily recognized. They each have a clear and definite beginning and a clear and explicit ending. No matter the "age" lived in, every human being is wholly and naturally responsible to God for what they think, say and do. Though salvation is always by God's grace, through faith alone, the purpose of each “age” is to place man under a specific rule of conduct for that particular period of time. The response, by mankind, to the revelation of God’s will is revealed by what is done in obedience or what is not done in disobedience.
The title of each "age" refers to man's state of existence during that particular time period. The biblical account of the five "ages," as to when they begin, when they end, and the duration of each are as follows:
1. The “Age of Innocence” began with the creation of Adam (Gen. 2:7) and ended when he ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6). Its duration was probably 40 years and 40 days.
2. The “Age of Beginnings” began immediately after Adam ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6) and ended when the Israelites agreed to keep the “Mosaic Covenant” [the Law] (Ex. 19:5-8; 20:1-31:18; Dt. 5:27-28; 29:1-15). Its duration was about 2,500 years.
3. “The Age of Law” began when the Israelites agreed to keep the “Mosaic Covenant” [the Law] (Ex. 19:5-8; 20:1-31:18; Dt. 5:27-28; 29:1-15) and ended when the Lord Jesus fulfilled the “Law” and gave up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary (Mt. 5:17-18; Jn. 19:30; Heb. 9:11-28). Its duration was about 1,500 years.
4. The “Age of Grace” began when the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the “Mosaic Covenant” [the Law] and gave up His spirit, while on the cross at Calvary (Mt. 5:17-18; Jn. 19:30; Heb. 9:11-28). This “age” will end with His “2nd Advent” (Zech. 12:8-14:21; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21). Its duration will be 1,987 years.
5. The “Age of Messiah's Kingdom,” or the “Age of the Kingdom,” will begin with the “2nd Advent” of the Lord Jesus Christ (Zech. 12:8-14:21; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21). Those who live through the seven years [2520 days] of tribulation preceding His “2nd Advent” will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ and His saints during the first 75 days of the “Age of the Kingdom” to determine who will enter into it and who will not (Ezek. 20:33-44; Dan. 7:22; 12:11-12; Mal. 3:2-5; 4:1-2; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:4). Its duration will be for 1,000 years! After the “Age of the Kingdom” ends, Satan will be released from the abyss where he had been bound (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-9).
The “Church Age” is an “age” within the “Age of Grace” just as Israel was a “nation” within the nation of Egypt while living there (Ex. 12:40-41; Num. 14:12; Dt. 9:14; 2 Sam. 7:23; 1 Chr. 17:21; Ps. 33:12; Lk. 7:1-5; Jn. 11:48-52). The “Church Age” began on the “Feast of Weeks” or “Pentecost” which was 53 days after the start of the “Age of Grace” and 50 days after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on the “Feast of First Fruits” (Ex. 12:1-2; Lev. 23:4-11, 15-16; Mt. 28:5-10; Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1, 7; Jn. 20:1, 19; Acts 2; 1 Cor. 12:12-14, 20). The “Church Age” will end on the “Feast of Trumpets” with the “Rapture” (Lev. 23:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23, 51-53; 1 Th. 4:13-18; 2 Th. 2:1). However, the “Age of Grace” will not end until the “2nd Advent” of the Lord Jesus Christ on the “Feast of a Day of Atonement” (Lev. 16; 23:26-32; Num. 29:7-11; Zech. 12:10; 13:1-14:7, 9; Rom. 11:26-27). Since the birth of the “Church,” or the “Church Age,” many people have been deceived by false gospels (Mt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1-3; 1 Jn. 4:1). A false gospel is one that teaches “something” must be done in addition to believing in the sufficiency of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ [Messiah], for salvation (Jn. 19:30; Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:21; Heb. 9:28). The "something" to do might have been a necessary act of obedience for those living in a prior "age" but would be considered a "work" in our present "Age of Grace," if done to ensure salvation.
It is important to understand what was required in the "Age of Law," in contrast to the “Age of Grace,” to avoid confusion and discern doctrine. In order to approach God in the “Age of Law” it was necessary to first “repent” [meaning to have a change of mind or to have a change of ways]. This is why John, the herald for the Messiah, told his Jewish audience to “repent” for the remission of sins (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3), and then to “repent” because the kingdom of heaven was at hand, in the person of the Messiah (Mt. 3:1-2). Y’shua of Nazareth, who was the promised Messiah, repeated what John said when He told His Jewish audience to “repent” since the kingdom of heaven was at hand, in reference to Himself (Mt. 4:17; 9:13; 11:20-21; 12:41; 21:29; Mk. 1:15; Lk. 5:32; 10:13; 11:32). He also said to “repent” for the remission of sins (Lk. 13:3; 15:7, 10). Those who heard John and the Lord Jesus say these things were Jewish people living in the "Age of Law" prior to the crucifixion. The audience to whom Peter spoke on the “Feast of Weeks” [Pentecost] consisted of Jewish people who were still living under the “Law” even though the “Age of Grace” had begun fifty-three days earlier. His answer to their question of, “what shall we do” was for them to “have a change of mind” [repent] and be “identified” [baptized] in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins [salvation] (Acts 2:14-40). His answer was applicable since they were still living under the “Law.”
In contrast to the “Synoptic” [a historical or blended view] Gospels, of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the word “repent” is NEVER used or recorded in the Gospel of John. The reason for this is that after the Lord Jesus gave up His spirit, while on the cross at Calvary, the "Age of Law" ended and the "Age of Grace" began. This was signified by the tearing of the veil in the temple, that separated the “holy place” and the “holy of holies.” Until this time only the high priest could enter into these areas once each year (Mt. 27:50-51; Mk. 15:37-38). It is no longer necessary to have any man intercede as a priest for our sins since we have the Lord Jesus Christ as our great high priest in Heaven (Heb. 9:1-15; 10:19-22). Those who live in the "Age of Grace" must first trust [believe] in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, by faith alone and nothing else for their salvation (Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9). The same as the thief who was hanging on a cross at Calvary next to the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 23:39-43). The “belief” on the part of this thief was the sole “cause” of his salvation. Thus, “repentance” is always to be an “effect” in the “Age of Grace” that is “caused” by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, for the forgiveness of all sin. The thief on the cross next to the Lord Jesus Christ was also guilty of sedition towards the Romans and being a murderer. He was the first man “saved” in the “Age of Grace!”
As further evidence, that “repentance” is to be an EFFECT of “belief” in the “Age of Grace,” the apostle John wrote, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (Jn. 20:30-31). If it were necessary for one to "repent" or to do anything else before or in addition to trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, then the apostle John would have been remiss for not including it in giving his reason for writing his gospel! John is consistent in this regard considering he used the word “believe” [trust] sixty times in his gospel, while omitting the word “repent.” John also never used the word “repent” in any of his three personal letters to the “Church” at large.
There is cause for concern during our present day for those who have made “repentance,” “baptism,” making Jesus “Lord of their life,” “speaking in tongues,” “joining a church” or something they have done, are doing or hope to do, as being part of the “cause” for their salvation. These acts should always be an “effect” of trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior and never as part of the “cause.” The reason for this is because anyone who is trusting in any kind of "work" to insure their salvation, is not “saved.” Works are to be considered as a form of “religion” in this present “Age of Grace.” “Religion” is always at odds with God!
Cain was the first “religious” man. He refused to comply with the will of God. Thus, his refusal to obey God and offer the sacrifice he had been instructed to give, the same as his brother Abel had done. The offering of Cain was in disobedience to God’s will (Gen. 4:1-7; Gal. 6:7). It is the same with all “religious” people today who choose to offer to God what their “religion” might dictate and not what God has said is required. Those engaged in any form of “religion” are not doing the will of God (Mt. 7:21-23). Thus, they remain “unsaved” or “lost.” The sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus with the offering of His shed blood (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22, 28; 10:4) is the only sacrifice that God the Father will now accept from anyone during this current “Age of Grace.”
To appreciate the “Good News” of the New Testament one must first acknowledge the “Bad News” of the Old Testament. The “bad news” is that each and every human being descending from Adam is a sinner who cannot do anything to save themselves from the penalty of sin against a Holy God (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 4:5). The “good news” is that the penalty for all sins, whether past, present or future, has been paid in full by the willing sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ who did not descend from Adam (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Lk. 1:26-35; Heb. 9:15, 26). The will of the Father (Mt. 7:21), for us in this present "Age of Grace," is to simply believe [trust], by faith alone, that what the Lord Jesus has done, is enough to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sins, and to trust in nothing else. The Word of God, the Holy Bible, guarantees the salvation of believing Christians! If what the Lord Jesus did, while on the cross of Calvary, is not enough to save us from the penalty we deserve for our sins against a holy God, then there is no hope of being forgiven or of having salvation itself. The reason for this is because there is nothing that any of us can do, in addition to what He did, to insure our salvation (Isa. 64:6-7; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Jn. 5:13).
The Biblical Road to Salvation
Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:8 - “But God commendeth his love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Romans 4:5 - “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Romans 10:13 - “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
An Invitation to Believe
Dear Lord Jesus. I believe that you are God the Son, the Messiah, the anointed one, the Son of God. I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I hereby accept your sacrifice made on the cross at Calvary for me and my sins. I believe that you will now forgive me and give me eternal life with you. Thank you for saving me. I believe in you with all of my heart. . . in your name I pray. Amen!
