By Steven J. Hogan
Compare Ages
This present Church Age and the future Kingdom Age are 2 distinct time periods. Ephesians 1:21 says: “… not only in this age but also in the one to come.” We live in the Church Age, but it won’t be long before Jesus Christ returns to rapture the Church and shortly thereafter establish His kingdom on Earth.
What will the Kingdom Age be like? One way to find out is to compare these 2 ages, and determine their similarities and differences. Let’s compare the present Church Age to the Future Kingdom Age.
Who is the Ruler?
The devil is the ruler of this present age (John 12:31; 1 John 5:10), but Jesus Christ will rule the world during the Kingdom Age (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15).
How Long Are the Ages?
No one knows precisely how long this Church Age will last (Matthew 24:36), but we do know that the Kingdom Age will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-7).
What Are the Life Expectancies?
People will live far longer during the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom Age than during this age. On average, people now live about 80 years (Psalm 90:10), but during the next age, a person who lives only 100 years “will be thought accursed” (Isaiah 65:20).
The Kings vs. the King
During this Church Age, Jesus Christ is in Heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, while kings on Earth are taking their stand against Him, counseling together, and contending with Him (Psalm 2). But during the Kingdom Age, these kings will be powerless, for Christ will be the only true King, sitting on His throne in Jerusalem, and ruling over the earth (Zechariah 14:9; Matthew 26:64).
An Evil Age, A Good Age
This present age is evil, a major reason being that the devil is the ruler of the world (Galatians 1:4). The Kingdom Age will be good, for Jesus Christ will be perfectly ruling the world (Psalm 72:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:25-26; Revelation 21:4). However, this age won’t be a perfect age because sin and death will still exist.
Injustice and Justice
During this present age, injustice and unrighteousness are prevalent. In the Kingdom Age, Christ will rule with a rod of iron, bringing justice, mercy, and peace to this world (Psalm 2:9, 37, 72; Philippians 2:10-11).
Satan’s influence
Satan continually tempts people to sin during this age. However, he will be imprisoned and incapacitated during the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-3), and therefore, unable to tempt anyone. His only evil influence will come at the very end of the Kingdom Age, when he will be let loose for a short time, and gather unbelievers to fight against God (Revelation 20:7-10).
Judging Sinners
God will deal decisively with unbelievers at the end of this present age, and at the end of the age to come. He will punish unbelievers (except those Jewish people chosen to be saved) at the end of this Church Age during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 8-9, 16). At the end of the Millennial Kingdom Age, Jesus Christ, sitting on His great white throne, will judge all unbelievers, all the ungodly, and then cast them into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
The Earth’s Physical Condition
During this Church Age, the earth is in a corrupted state, but it will be renovated at the start of the Millennial Kingdom (Romans 8:18-24). Only after the Kingdom Age, during the Eternal Kingdom Age, will the earth be completely brand new, perfectly holy in every way, and entirely and forever free from sin, death, and the devil (Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-4).
God’s Kingdom is Growing
The Kingdom of God will continue to grow during the Church Age and the Millennial Kingdom Age, for people will be getting saved during both time periods. Numerically, God’s Kingdom will reach its capacity at the end of the Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 13:30-33).
A True Blessing!
What a blessing to be living for Jesus Christ during this Church Age! Now is our time to use our gifts and talents to serve Him. However, I am really looking forward to Christ’s return and the rapture of the Church, and shortly after that, being with Him on Earth during the Millennial Kingdom Age.
What an incredible time that will be, for we will be fully saved, glorified and perfect, and fully able to love our Savior and King, and live for Him like never before! Steven J. Hogan has been a pastor-teacher for the past 25 years-plus and at Hope Bible Church of Tampa since 2003.
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