THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 5 of 17

EXPANDING OUR HORIZON

Believers must stretch themselves into the future. The kingdom of God is moving forward. "The world to come" must dominate your vision if you are to be advantaged by it. How often this realm is brought to our attention! Jesus spoke of a sin that could not be forgiven in "the world to come" (Matt 12:32). He also spoke of those who would inherit eternal life then (Mark 10:30). The Spirit devotes Himself to a consideration of that world in the book of Hebrews (Heb 2:5). he even affirms that we taste of "the powers of the world to come" in this life (Heb 6:5).

The Greek word "aion" is translated "world" in the KJV, and "age" in contemporary versions. This word is a significant one in Scripture. We must not limit ourselves to the rudiments of academia in understanding the Scriptural use of it. This is also the word translated "forever" in Matt 6:13, 21:19, Mark 11:14, and Luke 1:33,55. In this use, it is a vivid depiction of the "ages to come." The environment, as well as the personalities that inhabit it, are in view.

The same word (aion) is used to describe the entire realm of time, i.e., "since the world began" (Lk 1:70, Acts 3:21; 15:18), "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4), and "the course of this world" (Eph 2:2). "This world" is the temporal realm, in which "the things that are seen" are found (2 Cor 4:18). It not only consists of "time," but "things," and the "lust" that associates mankind with it (1 John 2:17). As ordinarily conceived, the word "age" is not adequate to portray the concepts intended. The "world" is a word depicting an entire order of things, including duration, substance, and personalities.

Those who seek the "world to come" must extend their vision beyond this one, else they cannot be saved. The present order is a temporal one. Its temporality is the result of human transgression, as affirmed in Romans 8:20-23.

In regeneration, and consequent union with the Lord, we are being oriented for "the world to come," or "the ages to come," that are characterized by eternality. Because of this, every person who is born again experiences a waning interest in this world, and an increasing interest in the one to come.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to become separate from this world, and united with the one to come.

-- TOMORROW: A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT --