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To: topcat54
That is a different issue, and I agree that there were past “ages” (plural) and a future “age to come” (singular). The “ages” are past and we are presently in the “age to come”.

But Paul writes in Ephesians 2:7: "...that in the ages to come ..." --- that's plural, He was writing in the "age to come" about still more "ages" yet to come.

However, you were the one denying that Heb. 9:26 was referring to the "end of the ages" (plural) wrt Christ's coming to put away sin for His redeemed.

No I wasn't. Reread my responses to you. I questioned your implication that the "ages" ended there in the 1st century --- which you now admit they didn't.

Furthermore you have now taken a bold leap toward the dispensational position by finally realizing that there were "ages" [aeons] charted out by the Scriptures, and what the Scripture calls "ages [aeons]", others often refer to as "dispensations". Sshhhhh ---- I won't tell anybody if you don't.

163 posted on 08/14/2007 11:07:20 AM PDT by Uncle Chip (TRUTH : Ignore it. Deride it. Allegorize it. Interpret it. But you can't ESCAPE it.)
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To: Uncle Chip
But Paul writes in Ephesians 2:7: "...that in the ages to come ..." --- that's plural, He was writing in the "age to come" about still more "ages" yet to come.

Let’s read it in context:

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
When has or will God show the “riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”? Well, the context makes it pretty clear that Paul is talking about the present condition of God’s people. He has “made us alive together with Christ”. That sounds pretty gracious. He has also “and raised us up together” and “made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. Granted, there is a future physical resurrection of God’s people yet to be enjoyed. But Paul does not diminish our present condition of being spiritually alive with Christ and seated in heaven, rather he exalts in it. God continues to work out His salvation program for His people in this age to come.

and what the Scripture calls "ages [aeons]", others often refer to as "dispensations".

Hardly, but it’s a nice diversion tactic.

164 posted on 08/14/2007 11:31:06 AM PDT by topcat54 ("... knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:3))
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