Originally posted by rollinTHUNDER
Many people lived in both ages. Those that rejected Messiah also rejected the age of grace, therefore, they chose to stay under the law. Those that received Him were no longer under the law, but forgiven by God's grace through faith in Christ.
The "Age of Grace" did not begin until after Christ defeated sin and death at the resurrection. We are not saved because we believe that Jesus was born. He came to die for our sins.
But Jesus came into this world in the age of law, but He started teaching His disciples about the age of grace while they were still under the law. So Jesus was born under the law, but when He died He ended the law for all who would believe. They went two days under no age. Jesus said that He would rise on the third day, and if He didn't, then we would still be under the law. But since His words proved to be true, we are now under "Grace". Death was swallowed up in victory. I really don't see the importance of when it began, this thread is not about that. In fact, you started this thread called "The NATURE of the second coming, Heavens and Earth passing, etc.", but I don't see where you are explaining your beliefs. It seems like we just keep beating around the bush.
Ok TUNDER, I understand your view perfectly now, thanks for taking the time to clear it up. I do believe this is on topic because determining when one age began and the other ended, is paramount to the "nature" of the 2 ages.
I of course understand that scripture indicates the apostles, and their contemporaries were living in the "Last Days", or "End Times" of the the Jewish age. An age which could not end as long as the temple still stood. In fact the apostles themselves still sacrificed in the temple, and admonished 1st century believers to do the same, long after Jesus' once for all sacrifice on the cross, indicating their understanding that as long as the temple was standing, they were bound to practice every Jot and tittle of the Law.
Therefore, the age of the law, the Mosaic eonomy, "Operational biblical Judiasm", was the "present evil age" spoken of in scripture.
Conversley, The Christian age, age of grace, Church age, eternal new covenant age, is the "age to come" spoken of in scripture. An age the apostles were promised was "at hand", and within
their generation. They in turn promised the same to their contemporaries. Although it was most certainly bought and paid for on the cross, it didn't come in it's fullness until 40 years later (a biblical generation) when Jesus, on time, as promised, rode the cloud of Judgement into aopstate Israel, destroying Old Covenant temple Judiasm forever, taking the kingdom from them and giving it to a nation (the church) who would bear the fruits thereof.
This "40 year" typology of Redemption -> Deliverance can be found in the Exodous.
Israels freedom/redemption from Egyptian Slavery began when they left Egypt, but was not made fully manifest until 40 years later when they entered the promised land. In fact that Exodous "generation" remained in slavery to Egypt up until the day the promised land was delivered to them, even though their freedom was paid for 40 years earlier.
Likweise, The Church, while initially purchased out of the slavery of the Law by Christ's finished work on the cross, remained slaves to the Law up until the Temple was destroyed, 40 years later, finally making manifest the way to the Holiest of all. (Hebrews 9:8)
Peace in Christ,
P70