Amazing Grace of the Gospel

"The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."—Luke 16:16

Michael Brann

That God has an orderly and prearranged plan is beyond rational doubt. The Scriptures abound with words that this is true. Consider for instance Ephesians 1:9, 10 which states in the NIV: "And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."

Consider also Galatians 4:4 which says "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."

The matter is stated more precisely in Hebrews 11:3. However a better translation than the King James rendering is necessary. The King James reads "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." A more proper reading is "In faith, we perceive that the ages have been so thoroughly adjusted by God’s command." Thus we come to understand that God has precisely and purposefully calculated various time periods or ages to accomplish his will, and it is a matter of faith for us to perceive that eventually it will all come to pass as he has ordained it, even though we may not always understand every detail of the various stages or ages.

This latter verse brings to mind the way a house is "framed" or "thoroughly adjusted." Different rooms are planned or framed with the idea that each are to serve various needs and purposes. One room may be set aside for food preparation, one for resting, another for washing and cleaning, etc., yet all the rooms together make the complete house. So, in God’s unfolding divine plan of the ages, he has set aside various periods of time to effect various purposes and designs which shall eventually all be incorporated into his larger over-all plan for eternity.

The Scriptures declare that all of God’s works are good and show his handiwork, yet certain features may especially highlight one or another of his many wonderful attributes. In Genesis, chapters one and two, God took seven days to accomplish his purpose There may be many reasons why he used seven "days," some of which may yet remain to be discerned, but one reason that is apparent is his desire to show a plan of purpose, progression, and orderly development. Perhaps he intended students of the Scriptures to likewise obtain from this a clue to his eternal purposes and that the unfolding of them was intentionally purposeful, progressive, and orderly. It is up to those who are truly interested to search for what that purpose, progression, and order is and how it is to be fulfilled.

Labeling Time Periods

It is not inappropriate to classify or label these time periods to help our understanding. The Apostle Paul declared this as proper when he instructed Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

This advice we understand includes the idea of "dividing" or categorizing certain features of God’s plans and instructions into their proper time frame. For instance, the Israelites, according to Old Testament law, had many regulations for diet and hygiene which are not laws for the Christian. Neither do Jewish cleansing rites and animal sacrifices apply to Christians today.

Our focus will be upon a "rightly divided" section of time often referred to as the "Gospel age." Although the term "Gospel age" is not found in the Scriptures, it does serve to identify the main thrust or emphasis of this time period. The term Gospel age helps distinguish it from the age which precedes it (the Jewish age) and the age which follows it (the Millennial or Messianic age).

The Gospel Age Begins

Our Lord himself initiated this particular period of time and spent much effort explaining its purpose and characteristics. The Apostle described this as "a new and living way, which hehath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" (Heb. 10:20). Here, he carefully distinguishes it from the Jewish age.

The Jewish age is referred to in this manner since during that period of time in God’s plan he dealt specifically and exclusively with the nation of Israel, while all other nations and peoples played minor supporting roles (if any at all). By way of contrast, in the Millennial age the Lord will be dealing with a much broader group of people than either the Jewish or Gospel age. In that age the whole world of mankind, including all who have ever lived, will be the recipients of special attention from the Lord.

The Work of the Gospel

The Gospel age indicates a period of time when the chief work or focus will be centered around the message of the gospel and the spreading of it. The thrust of this period of time is directed mainly towards a select group of individuals. The word "gospel" means "good news" or "glad tidings." A variety of aspects of good news might be considered, but primarily they would include three main areas, each of which are very closely related and intertwined. These would be: 1) that Jesus was sent by his Father to redeem mankind from sin and death; 2) this was accomplished successfully and will mean a resurrection of all the human race from the prison-house of sin and death; and 3) that some amongst mankind are to be chosen and developed to be a suitable bride for Jesus and will serve as his associates in blessing all the families of the earth.

One interesting and significant declaration made long before the Gospel age was even inaugurated and which would incorporate these three elements is described in Galatians 3:8: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." Unfortunately, many who claim to preach the gospel have entirely overlooked the intentions indicated by the Lord that the gospel or good news included the "blessing of all the nations of the earth." This divine promise implies that a resurrection must take place before many of these peoples can be blessed. This hope is also part of the "gospel" or good news, in that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man." (See Heb 2:9.)

The gathering, selection and development of the bride of Christ has taken the entire age. Already this has taken nearly 2000 years to accomplish! Jesus referred to this select group of people as a "little flock," and yet looking over the course of the last two millennia there have been several hundreds of millions who have named the name of Christ. According to the time and numbers, it seems as though the "little flock" or bride of Christ would be completed by now. Why is the kingdom for which we have been taught to pray not yet here? Why has it taken so long to complete the church before the next age can begin?

Terms of Discipleship

Apparently, this preparation and development of the little flock, the bride adorned for her husband, is more than just a matter of profession. Jesus spoke of this matter saying in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." The terms of true discipleship go far beyond profession and desire.

God set the standard for those whom he will choose to be the associates of his Son to bless all the families of the earth when he said in Luke 9:23, 24, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

During this Gospel age, the disciples must be like their Master in many ways. The Apostle indicates a similar condition is required of those who are to be eventually found faithful to the Lord in 2 Timothy 2:11, 12: "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:" and that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).

Satan Still the God of this World

The Apostle Paul also tells us that Satan is the "god of this world" (Greek: aion, age or order). Thus during this Gospel age, Satan is permitted not only to rule and cause general chaos and confusion amongst the earthly creation in general, but he is also granted limited permission to persecute the saints, just as he did our Lord. It is by these buffetings, testings, trials, and temptations that the Lord is able to have us demonstrate our character as being truly one in harmony with him, his spirit, his plans, and his purposes. Because the special promise awaiting the faithful Christian is so high—life, honor and immortality, a share in the divine nature itself—the testing must be difficult before such a high and exalted position could be given with trust and confidence! (See Rom. 2:7 and 2 Peter 1:4.)

Throughout this Gospel age, we see how even those who profess to have been his followers have been instrumental in persecuting fellow Christians, Jews, and any others who may have appeared to get in their way. Wars, greed, political intrigue, power struggles, and fame and fortune have directed much of their course. How sad to think that these have identified themselves with the man who was the noblest who ever walked the face of the earth! How these mere professors of the Lord’s followers have been blinded by the god of this world!

Due to the high standards which the Lord seeks for those who will eventually be found faithful, and in contrast to the millions who have perverted the standard of true Christian conduct, we begin to see why it has taken nearly 2000 years to finish the remaining work of the Gospel age.

An Age Nearing Its End

The work is nearing completion. Just how many years we who have devoted our lives to the Lord may have yet remaining for us to develop a character pleasing to him is not known. It is certain we only have the rest of our lives to accomplish it. The next age will usher in a new work, a work designed to uplift the fallen human race. It is up to us now to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1), that we may share in that glorious work with our beloved Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

From eternity’s shore, we may one day look back at this "Gospel age" and describe it as a special time when God displayed his amazing grace. It is indeed amazing grace that we who are born in sin and shapen in iniquity were called to occupy a place in that most glorious of places, the eternal abode of God and Jesus Christ, heaven itself—to there live and dwell in the presence of the Lord forever! "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Psa. 27:4).