THE TWO AGES OF REDEMPTIVE HISTORY

Though I have begun research on a commentary on Matthew 21–25 (Olivet in Context; see below), I have had to pause it for an important reason. There has been much discussion and confusion on the meaning of the disciples’ question to Jesus in Matthew 24:3. I believe they are confused and asking Jesus about the end of history (not the end of the old covenant) when they line his prophecy of the temple’s destruction to “the end of the age.”

In that this greatly impacts one’s understanding of the structure of Jesus’ answer (i.e., whether he has a transition from AD 70 to the Final Judgment at the end of history in Matt. 24:34–36), I have decided to write a short book introducing and defending the Two-Age structure of redemptive history.

This book will explain and defend the argument that Jesus and Paul mention two ages (“this age” and “the age to come”) in referring to the flow of universal history. “This age” is the current, fallen, present evil age (Gal. 1:4), whereas “the age to come” is the perfect, future consummation age that will be established at Christ’s Second Coming.

However, since the resurrection of Christ we are living in an overlap of the two ages. Thus, we partially and spiritually experience now what we will fully and physically experience in the eternal order when Christ returns. This means that we are now spiritually resurrected (Eph. 2:6) and are spiritual new creations (2 Cor. 5:17) in anticipation and expectation of the eternal order. We now are tasting “the age to come” (Heb. 6:4).

OLIVET IN CONTEXT
I have begun advance research for a commentary on Matthew 21–25, which gives the full introductory context to Matthew’s version of the Olivet Discourse. I have not dealt with this material in previous writing and am finding much helpful material for an orthodox preterist approach to the Lord’s famous and controversial Discourse. Due to the necessity of clarifying the disciples’ question that sparked the Discourse, I have temporarily paused this research engage the Two-Age study mentioned above.

OLIVET DISCOURSE MADE EASY
I am also part way through a revision and slight expansion of my Olivet Discourse Made Easy book. Whereas the current edition focuses on the destruction of the temple in Matthew 24:4–33, this expansion will provide a brief analysis of Matthew 24:34–25:45, which presents the Final Judgment at the end of history.

GOODBIRTH MINISTRIES

Too much to do! So little time! Especially when I have to engage smaller contracts along the way. However, if you would like to financially support these projects, either through a one-time gift or by monthly giving, you may do so by going to my ministry website at http://www.GoodBirthMinistries.com. Your support helps me speed up the work, by allowing me to lay aside some smaller paying projects so that I can focus on these larger ones. Thank you!