by George Sidney Hurd
The following is an excerpt from the book The Triumph of Mercy.
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever (“into the age of the ages” tou aionos ton aionon)! Amen.” (Eph 3:21)
The Greek phrase traditionally rendered “forever and ever” is in reality “into the ages of the ages” (eis tous aiónas ton aiónon). However, in one instance the Greek construction is very distinct. In Ephesians 3:21 it is not “the ages of the ages” but rather “the Age of the ages.” The verse should be translated as we find in the literal translations:
“to Him be the glory in the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus for all the generations of the eon of the eons! Amen!” (Concordant Literal Version)
Although traditional translations make no distinction between “the ages of the ages” and “the age of the ages,” we know that it was intentional and not just an orthographic error made by Paul, and there is a great difference between “the ages of the ages” and “the Age of the ages.” When we use the singular followed by the same word in plural in this manner, we are expressing the idea that that which is in singular form has preeminence over that which appears in plural. In every instance where we find this construction in the Bible, we understand that the first, which appears in singular form, is singular in importance, significance or eminence, compared to the rest which follow in the plural form. When we say, “King of kings,” or “Lord of lords,” we understand that it is saying that that particular King is preeminent over all other kings. The expression “Song of songs” means the most outstanding Song of all songs. The same is true with the “Holy of holies” which is usually translated “the Most Holy”:
“…The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (tou hagiou ton hagion).” (Ex 26:33)
“…and the veil hath made a separation for you between the holy and the Holy of holies.” (Ex 26:33 Young’s Literal Translation)
The tabernacle was divided by the veil separating “the holy” from the “Holy of holies” which is usually rendered “most holy.” We all understand this distinction, and it is surprising that the translators who were consistent in translating “King of kings,” “Lord of lords” “Song of songs” and “Holy of holies” or “most holy,” failed to distinguish between “the ages of the ages” and “the Age of the ages.” When we understand that the Age of the ages is the age which is preeminent among all others - the culmination of all ages, then the full import of the passage in which it is employed, is revealed:
“to Him be the glory in the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus for all the generations of the eon of the eons! Amen!” (Concordant Literal Version)
Or expressing the full sense of the word “generations” (genos) one could say:
“to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all descendants of all generations, into the age of the ages, Amen!”
The conjunction “and” (kai) is included in most translations, based upon the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, which further clarifies that both the Church and Christ Jesus will be revealing the glory of God to coming generations. Also, a more precise translation reveals who will be seeing the Glory of God revealed in Christ and in His Church. It will not just be the angels. The phrase “throughout all generations” indicates that it will be revealed in the Church and in Christ Jesus “to all descendants of all generations up to and including those of the final Age of ages.” The word “generations” refers to descendants or generations – not so much as to a period of time as to those born or generated. Angels do not generate and therefore do not have generations. Therefore, it is saying that in the Age of ages all will see the glory of God as displayed in Christ and His Bride, the Church. The prophecies of Scripture speak of a time coming when all people of all generations will see the Glory of the Lord and here we see that it will be revealed in Christ and in His Church, the Bride:
“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isa 40:5)
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab 2:14)
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isa 60:1-3)
Many mistakenly think that the last age before entering eternity is the millennium, which they consider as being the full extent of Christ’s reign. Afterwards, according to them, all will be judged and go to their eternal destiny, whether it be heaven or hell. Nevertheless, we see reference to several future ages and not just one:
“that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7)
Each time we see “forever and ever” in traditional translations it must be kept in mind that it is literally “into the ages of the ages,” referring to future ages and not “forever.” Eternity is not divided up into time units such as days, years, centuries and ages, but rather is a reality which always is and exists independently from time. It is a misconception to think of eternity as an infinite succession of ages. We do not know how many ages there will be before the final Age of ages comes to a close, but the Scriptures would not speak of the “end of the ages” (Heb 9:26 lit. sunteleia ton aionon) if everlasting meant a succession of ages without end.
Although we do not know how many future ages are included in God’s plan for the ages, we know that there is more than one future age, and that in the final age – the Age of ages, His glory will have been seen by all flesh - by all generations through the Church and through Jesus Christ (Eph 3:21), and all will have been made subject to Him, bowing the knee and confessing Him as Lord, before the final Age of the ages comes to an end, because it says:
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power… 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Cor 15:24,28, cf. Phil 2:10-11)
What is it that Christ will be doing together with His Bride in the coming ages? Tradition tells us that the kingdom of Christ ends after the millennial age. In Ephesians 2:6-7 we see that we are already seated with Him and that we will be reigning with Him, not only in the coming age but in the coming ages:
“and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:6-7)
The word “show” has the idea of “exhibiting or displaying.” To whom are we going to demonstrate or exhibit the abundant grace of God if not to those who are in outer darkness, in need of His grace? The nations will walk in her light (Rev 21:24; Is 60:1-3). The Father will then be glorified in the Church and in Jesus Christ to all the descendants of all generations (Eph 3:21). We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to manifest His abundant grace, producing in others the praise of the glory of His grace:
“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved… 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth — in Him.” (Eph 1:4,6, 9,10)
What is the mystery of the ages? That He chose us in Christ from before the foundation of the world, that we might manifest the abundant riches of His grace to all generations, and that in the dispensation of the fullness of time – the Age of ages, all shall be gathered together in Christ, both those who are in heaven and those who are on the earth. The mystery of the ages is His plan for the ultimate restoration of all, with all finally being brought together in Him and subjected to Him. Then comes the end when Christ Himself will subject Himself to the Father and God will be all in all (1Cor 15:28; Phil 2:10-11).
The ages of the ages
The expression “the ages of the ages” refers to ages which are preeminent over all past ages. Even as the Age of the ages focuses on one particular age, and we show its particularity by capitalizing the singular “Age,” “the ages of the ages” refers to a plurality of ages which are more significant than any prior ages, and for that reason, are called “the ages of the ages.” They are more significant because they commence with the Millennial reign of Christ and culminate with the greatest and final Age of the ages when, having subdued all to Himself at the end of time, He delivers up the kingdom to the Father. It is significant that in the Old Testament the expression “the ages of the ages” does not appear. It isn’t until we enter into the New Covenant that this phrase is used expressing that all future ages will stand out above all prior ages. Christ will not reign forever and ever, as some mistranslations would have us think, but rather “for the ages of the ages,” or until His enemies have been made His footstool.
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever (into the ages of the ages)!” (Rev 11:15)
“Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?” (Heb 1:13)
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Cor 15:25-28)
Revelation 11:15 is not a contradiction of Hebrews 1:13 and 1Corinthians 15:25-28. “Forever and ever,” as we have seen, is only for “the ages of the ages” and ends at the end of the ages when all enter into God in eternity. However, the “ages of the ages” are the greatest ages of all ages, “the times of all times” because Christ will be reigning with His Bride, the Church, and all the earth will be covered with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. Then we enter into eternity where God is all in all and there will no longer be need of hierarchies.
The end does not come with some in heaven and the majority in an eternal hell, but with the restoration of all, resulting in God being all in all. What a glorious end of the ages! Until God becomes all in all, the ages will continue. There will not be an eternal dualism with some in God and others eternally in opposition to Him, but rather He shall truly be all in all. Glory to His name!
The following is an excerpt from the book The Triumph of Mercy.
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever (“into the age of the ages” tou aionos ton aionon)! Amen.” (Eph 3:21)
The Greek phrase traditionally rendered “forever and ever” is in reality “into the ages of the ages” (eis tous aiónas ton aiónon). However, in one instance the Greek construction is very distinct. In Ephesians 3:21 it is not “the ages of the ages” but rather “the Age of the ages.” The verse should be translated as we find in the literal translations:
“to Him be the glory in the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus for all the generations of the eon of the eons! Amen!” (Concordant Literal Version)
Although traditional translations make no distinction between “the ages of the ages” and “the age of the ages,” we know that it was intentional and not just an orthographic error made by Paul, and there is a great difference between “the ages of the ages” and “the Age of the ages.” When we use the singular followed by the same word in plural in this manner, we are expressing the idea that that which is in singular form has preeminence over that which appears in plural. In every instance where we find this construction in the Bible, we understand that the first, which appears in singular form, is singular in importance, significance or eminence, compared to the rest which follow in the plural form. When we say, “King of kings,” or “Lord of lords,” we understand that it is saying that that particular King is preeminent over all other kings. The expression “Song of songs” means the most outstanding Song of all songs. The same is true with the “Holy of holies” which is usually translated “the Most Holy”:
“…The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (tou hagiou ton hagion).” (Ex 26:33)
“…and the veil hath made a separation for you between the holy and the Holy of holies.” (Ex 26:33 Young’s Literal Translation)
The tabernacle was divided by the veil separating “the holy” from the “Holy of holies” which is usually rendered “most holy.” We all understand this distinction, and it is surprising that the translators who were consistent in translating “King of kings,” “Lord of lords” “Song of songs” and “Holy of holies” or “most holy,” failed to distinguish between “the ages of the ages” and “the Age of the ages.” When we understand that the Age of the ages is the age which is preeminent among all others - the culmination of all ages, then the full import of the passage in which it is employed, is revealed:
“to Him be the glory in the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus for all the generations of the eon of the eons! Amen!” (Concordant Literal Version)
Or expressing the full sense of the word “generations” (genos) one could say:
“to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all descendants of all generations, into the age of the ages, Amen!”
The conjunction “and” (kai) is included in most translations, based upon the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, which further clarifies that both the Church and Christ Jesus will be revealing the glory of God to coming generations. Also, a more precise translation reveals who will be seeing the Glory of God revealed in Christ and in His Church. It will not just be the angels. The phrase “throughout all generations” indicates that it will be revealed in the Church and in Christ Jesus “to all descendants of all generations up to and including those of the final Age of ages.” The word “generations” refers to descendants or generations – not so much as to a period of time as to those born or generated. Angels do not generate and therefore do not have generations. Therefore, it is saying that in the Age of ages all will see the glory of God as displayed in Christ and His Bride, the Church. The prophecies of Scripture speak of a time coming when all people of all generations will see the Glory of the Lord and here we see that it will be revealed in Christ and in His Church, the Bride:
“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isa 40:5)
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab 2:14)
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isa 60:1-3)
Many mistakenly think that the last age before entering eternity is the millennium, which they consider as being the full extent of Christ’s reign. Afterwards, according to them, all will be judged and go to their eternal destiny, whether it be heaven or hell. Nevertheless, we see reference to several future ages and not just one:
“that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7)
Each time we see “forever and ever” in traditional translations it must be kept in mind that it is literally “into the ages of the ages,” referring to future ages and not “forever.” Eternity is not divided up into time units such as days, years, centuries and ages, but rather is a reality which always is and exists independently from time. It is a misconception to think of eternity as an infinite succession of ages. We do not know how many ages there will be before the final Age of ages comes to a close, but the Scriptures would not speak of the “end of the ages” (Heb 9:26 lit. sunteleia ton aionon) if everlasting meant a succession of ages without end.
Although we do not know how many future ages are included in God’s plan for the ages, we know that there is more than one future age, and that in the final age – the Age of ages, His glory will have been seen by all flesh - by all generations through the Church and through Jesus Christ (Eph 3:21), and all will have been made subject to Him, bowing the knee and confessing Him as Lord, before the final Age of the ages comes to an end, because it says:
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power… 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Cor 15:24,28, cf. Phil 2:10-11)
What is it that Christ will be doing together with His Bride in the coming ages? Tradition tells us that the kingdom of Christ ends after the millennial age. In Ephesians 2:6-7 we see that we are already seated with Him and that we will be reigning with Him, not only in the coming age but in the coming ages:
“and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:6-7)
The word “show” has the idea of “exhibiting or displaying.” To whom are we going to demonstrate or exhibit the abundant grace of God if not to those who are in outer darkness, in need of His grace? The nations will walk in her light (Rev 21:24; Is 60:1-3). The Father will then be glorified in the Church and in Jesus Christ to all the descendants of all generations (Eph 3:21). We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to manifest His abundant grace, producing in others the praise of the glory of His grace:
“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved… 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth — in Him.” (Eph 1:4,6, 9,10)
What is the mystery of the ages? That He chose us in Christ from before the foundation of the world, that we might manifest the abundant riches of His grace to all generations, and that in the dispensation of the fullness of time – the Age of ages, all shall be gathered together in Christ, both those who are in heaven and those who are on the earth. The mystery of the ages is His plan for the ultimate restoration of all, with all finally being brought together in Him and subjected to Him. Then comes the end when Christ Himself will subject Himself to the Father and God will be all in all (1Cor 15:28; Phil 2:10-11).
The ages of the ages
The expression “the ages of the ages” refers to ages which are preeminent over all past ages. Even as the Age of the ages focuses on one particular age, and we show its particularity by capitalizing the singular “Age,” “the ages of the ages” refers to a plurality of ages which are more significant than any prior ages, and for that reason, are called “the ages of the ages.” They are more significant because they commence with the Millennial reign of Christ and culminate with the greatest and final Age of the ages when, having subdued all to Himself at the end of time, He delivers up the kingdom to the Father. It is significant that in the Old Testament the expression “the ages of the ages” does not appear. It isn’t until we enter into the New Covenant that this phrase is used expressing that all future ages will stand out above all prior ages. Christ will not reign forever and ever, as some mistranslations would have us think, but rather “for the ages of the ages,” or until His enemies have been made His footstool.
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever (into the ages of the ages)!” (Rev 11:15)
“Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?” (Heb 1:13)
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Cor 15:25-28)
Revelation 11:15 is not a contradiction of Hebrews 1:13 and 1Corinthians 15:25-28. “Forever and ever,” as we have seen, is only for “the ages of the ages” and ends at the end of the ages when all enter into God in eternity. However, the “ages of the ages” are the greatest ages of all ages, “the times of all times” because Christ will be reigning with His Bride, the Church, and all the earth will be covered with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. Then we enter into eternity where God is all in all and there will no longer be need of hierarchies.
The end does not come with some in heaven and the majority in an eternal hell, but with the restoration of all, resulting in God being all in all. What a glorious end of the ages! Until God becomes all in all, the ages will continue. There will not be an eternal dualism with some in God and others eternally in opposition to Him, but rather He shall truly be all in all. Glory to His name!
