I know you are sincere when you say my beliefs are unbiblical, so I won't take personal offence.
Paul mentions in Ephesions there are two or more ages ahead. Let's see if we first agree on that, and I'll try to fill in a timeline that answers all three of your verses. I promised you in the past, and kept my word. I'm not avoiding your verses, just trying to lay some groundwork so we can see who's timeline is 'biblical' or not. Okay?
So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:7And are you willing to play a game with me? Can I try to walk you down my logic path to see if you can knock me off it? It'll be fun.
And if you are willing, do agree Paul wrote there are "ages (plural) to come"?
I'm fine with you showing me your chain of logic.
Let me give you a heads up why I asked you about the ages. I'll tip my hand. I'm not afraid.
In your model of the world, there are two ages:The Current AgeAnd you interpret the three passages from that perspective. I will humbly submit that you are the one who doesn't have a biblical model. The Bible specifically references coming ages (plural). I submit the biblical model is:
The Eternal Age
The Age of Decision (The Current Age)There, I have shown you my cards. But before we can determine who has the correct biblical interpretation of your verses, we must first determine who has the correct biblical model, or not.
The Age of Separation (The New Heaven and New Earth)
The Age of Reconciliation (When God is all in all)
Let us examine your Age of Reconciliation. Paul says in 1 Cor 15: 24-28
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he "has put everything under his feet."Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Notice here that God (The Father) is made all in all when Christ submits to the Father, which happens after the last enemy, death, is destroyed. This we see taking place in Revelation 20:14. Notice also that when John saw the new heaven and the new earth he said he saw no more sea. Some believe this was a symbol representing the end of separation. God will dwell among us. There will be no separation. The "ages" (aion) Paul is talking about is the time of eternity. During those ceaseless ages will we ever be learning from the Master about what Christ has done for us.
Upvote
0