Episode #225 — Foundation for Epochs, Ages, Eras

Signs of the Times Part 1

“What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” — Matthew 24:3

With that question, the disciples opened the door to one of the most discussed—and often disputed—subjects in Scripture.

Episode #225 of Way of the Bible, Foundation for Epochs, Ages, Eras, begins our new eight-episode mini-series, Signs of the Times Part 1. But before examining the signs Jesus gave concerning His coming and the end of the age, we’re stepping back to establish a biblical foundation.

The Bookends of Scripture

The Bible presents an extraordinary arc.

Genesis begins with God creating the heavens and the earth. Revelation concludes with a new heaven and a new earth.

Genesis contains the Garden of Eden; Revelation reveals the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people.

The Tree of Life appears in Genesis and reappears in Revelation. Sin introduces death and corruption; Revelation describes the removal of death, mourning, pain, and the curse. Humanity hides from God in Genesis; in Revelation, God’s servants see His face.

The beginning and ending are remarkably connected.

But what happens in between?

That’s where understanding biblical epochs, ages, and eras becomes important.

Preserving the Truth

The episode then considers the challenge the early Church faced as believers preserved and interpreted the apostolic writings while confronting competing teachings.

Scripture itself repeatedly anticipates this problem. Paul warns Timothy about deceiving spirits. Peter warns of false teachers introducing destructive heresies. Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”

Why does that matter when discussing prophecy?

Because our interpretation of the end depends upon the foundation from which we begin.

Old Treasures and New

Jesus spoke of new wine and new wineskins so that BOTH the old and new wine will be preserved, and He described a teacher of the law in the kingdom of heaven is to bring out new as well as old treasures from his storeroom.

That becomes particularly important when we reach Paul’s teaching about the Church and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul describes a mystery hidden for long ages past, yet now revealed. In Colossians he expresses its magnificent reality:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Understanding what was revealed before, what was later revealed, and how these truths fit together prepares us to approach Jesus’ words concerning the end of the age.

Before the Signs, Build the Foundation

Eventually, we’ll return directly to Matthew 24, Mark, and Luke and examine Jesus’ teaching concerning the temple, tribulation, His coming, and the end of the age.

But first, we’re laying the foundation.

As I say at the end of this episode, while the beginning and end of Scripture are relatively easy to reconcile, “the middle gets messed up without a firm foundation built on the Rock.”

That’s where our journey begins.

Simply Believe God and Follow Jesus.