Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

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))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies ]


To: topcat54

So then, putting together all the scriptures that we have quoted, how many ages have there been and will there be??? My estimate is eight. What is yours???


165 posted on 08/14/2007 12:13:30 PM PDT by Uncle Chip (TRUTH : Ignore it. Deride it. Allegorize it. Interpret it. But you can't ESCAPE it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 164 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson