Ephesians 1:20-21 (HCSB)
He [God] demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens — far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

There are two ages:

1) “this age,” the age that we are in, and
2) “the one to come.”

Regardless of which age is in view, God has placed the Messiah… “at His right hand in the heavens.”

What does that mean?

It means that Jesus Christ is, “far above every other ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,” whether we are talking about the current age that we are in or talking about the next age to come.

But, why two ages? What is the difference between the two ages?

The biggest difference between the two ages, I believe, is expressed in the final book of Scripture…

Revelation 21:4 (HCSB)
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist;
grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,
because the previous things have passed away.

In the age to come, not only will God, “wipe away every tear,” but, “grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer.” As wonderful as it might be that those things will no longer exist, the most striking thing about the age to come (at least in my mind anyway) is that, “Death will no longer exist…” In other words, the current age, “the previous things,” along with everything contained therein, “have passed away,” when the next age arrives.

Paul put it this way, when he encouraged the church in Corinth by quoting the Old Testament. It’s bolded below…

1 Corinthians 15:54b-58 (HCSB)
…the saying that is written will take place:

Death has been swallowed up in victory,
Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?

Now the sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

May we (Christians) always recognize that death will no longer exist in the age to come…

Godspeed, to the brethren!

Check out my NEW book! (click here)