This Age is the present world order that stands under the influence of sin, death, and the powers of darkness until the return of Christ.
It is characterized by human rebellion, the suffering of God’s people, and the temporary reign of forces opposed to God.
Scripture consistently contrasts this age with the age to come, calling believers to live as those who have been delivered from the present evil age.
Though this age is temporary and doomed to pass away, it is the arena in which the gospel is proclaimed and the church is refined.
Jesus and the apostles spoke of two ages: this age and the age to come. This age is the time in which the sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, in which the wisdom of this age and its rulers operate, and in which the cares and riches and pleasures of life can choke the word. It is the present evil age from which Christ gave Himself to deliver us. The god of this age blinds the minds of unbelievers, and the rulers of this age are doomed to pass away. Yet this age is also the time of God’s patience, the season in which the gospel goes to the nations, and the period in which believers are called to live godly lives while waiting for the appearing of Christ. The end of this age will come with the return of the Son of Man, the harvest of the earth, and the full establishment of the age to come. Until then the church lives as a people who belong to the age to come while still walking through the realities of this age.
- This age is the present, temporary world order marked by sin and opposition to God.
- It stands in clear contrast to the age to come, which is characterized by resurrection and the full reign of God.
- Christ gave Himself to deliver His people from the present evil age.
- The wisdom, rulers, and values of this age are passing away.
- Believers are called to live in this age without being conformed to it.
- This age is the time of gospel proclamation and patient endurance.
- The end of this age will arrive with the return of Christ and the final judgment.
- Present Evil Age – Marked by rebellion, suffering, and the activity of the powers of darkness.
- Temporary – Doomed to pass away at the coming of Christ and the establishment of the age to come.
- Domain of Blindness – The god of this age blinds the minds of unbelievers to the gospel.
- Arena of Testing – The place where faith is refined and the church learns endurance.
- Season of Mission – The time in which the gospel is preached to all nations as a testimony.
- Call to Non-Conformity – Believers must not be conformed to this age but transformed by the renewal of the mind.
- Ending at Christ’s Return – This age closes with the harvest, the judgment, and the arrival of the age to come.
- Galatians 1:4 – “…who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father…”
- Luke 20:34-35 – “And Jesus said to them, ‘The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage…’”
- Matthew 12:32 – “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
- Matthew 13:22 – “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”
- Matthew 13:39-40 – “The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 – “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 – “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:18 – “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
- Ephesians 1:21 – Christ is seated “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
- Ephesians 2:2 – “…in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…”
- Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”
- 1 Timothy 6:17 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
- Mark 10:30 – “…who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
- Luke 16:8 – “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”
- Matthew 28:20 – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Hebrews 9:26 – “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
This age is temporary. It is the present evil age from which Christ gave Himself to deliver us. Its wisdom is foolishness with God, its rulers are doomed to pass away, and its god blinds the minds of unbelievers. Yet this age is also the time of the gospel’s advance and the refining of the church. Believers are called to live in it without being conformed to it, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions while waiting for the blessed hope. The end of this age is certain. When the Son of Man comes, the harvest will be gathered and the age to come will fully arrive. Therefore do not set your hope on the things of this age. Live as a citizen of the age to come. The One who delivered you from the present evil age will bring you safely into the age that never ends.
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