Where does the Church Age fit into biblical history? What is the Church Age?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Ages, or eras, are defined by historians based on specific events or ways of looking at past and future events, such as the Middle Ages in a survey of Western Civilization. Though the Bible is broadly divided into the Old and New Testaments, representing the age of Law and the age of grace, dispensational theologians have further divided history into seven dispensations. The Church Age, which corresponds with the dispensation of grace, is what we live in today. It is also known, in prophetic history, as the time between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24–27; Romans 11). The Church was established after Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension, when the Holy Spirit came and, for the first time, lived with people permanently (Acts 2; John 14:16), and it will continue until the rapture. After this, all believers will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9) and will celebrate Jesus coming for His Church. Until then, the Church is called to make disciples and to reflect Christ to the world.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Church age is known in prophetic history as being between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24–27; see also Romans 11).
• The Holy Spirit has always been at work and is identified several times in the Old Testament as dwelling with or coming upon people temporarily, as in 1 Samuel 16:13–14, but the Church Age began after Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension, when the Holy Spirit filled believers permanently.
• Although God established Israel as His chosen people, they were always meant to reveal Him to the world (Genesis 12:3). God still isn't finished with Israel, as some of His promises are yet to be fulfilled (Ezekiel 34; 37; 45; Jeremiah 30; 33).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and we believe it will last until people who believe in Jesus Christ are raptured out of the world and taken to be with the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51–57).
• Jesus identified the Church Age when He declared He would build the Church (Matthew 16:18). The Church is made up of all people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord (John 1:12; Acts 9:31), not only specific groups of Christians, churches, or denominations. The Greek word used in the New Testament to identify the Church is ekklesia, which means "a called out assembly." Today, we talk of this assembly as the "universal Church," which gathers mostly in local churches.
• The Church began after Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension, when the Holy Spirit came and indwelt people permanently (Acts 2; John 14:16).
• In the Old Testament, God identified His people as the nation of Israel, but in the Church Age, He identifies His people as those who have faith in Jesus Christ, some of whom are believing Jews (1 Corinthians 10:32).
• God not being finished with Israel is also seen in the New Testament (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 19). The Church has not replaced Israel.
• The Church Age will end at the rapture. Sometime thereafter will be the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9), the celebration of Jesus coming for His Church, which is also called the bride of Christ.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While we live in the Church Age, the Church has purpose and assignments. The Church is called to make disciples and reflect Christ’s character to the world. The Church is entrusted with the mission of spreading the gospel and making followers of Christ, living out the Great Commission wherever they go (Matthew 28:19–20). This isn’t just a task we are given; it’s an opportunity to reflect God’s love and grace to a broken world (Galatians 6:10). Believers are called to steward their gifts and resources, not just for personal growth but to advance God’s kingdom (1 Peter 4:10–11).

The Church age is also marked by an eschatological hope, as the Church anticipates Christ’s return. The work of the Church is more than just outreach and service; it’s about participating in God’s redemptive plan, ensuring that every action and every disciple made has lasting significance (Titus 2:13). The Church’s mission is to reflect Christ to the world through loving relationships, serving others, and nurturing spiritual growth, embodying the heart of the gospel and demonstrating the transforming power of Christ to a watching world. "Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

UNDERSTAND

• The Church Age is the era in which we are living.
• The Church Age fits in between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel, before the final week of Tribulation in God’s redemptive plan.
• The Church Age calls the Church to make disciples and reflect God to the world.

REFLECT

• How do you understand your role in the Church Age, and how are you living out that purpose in your daily life?
• What specific gifts or resources has God given you, and how are you using them to reflect Christ to the world and advance His kingdom?
• How can you deepen your commitment to discipleship and evangelism in light of the eschatological hope of Christ’s return?

ENGAGE

• What are the key characteristics of the Church Age, and how do they influence the Church’s mission today?
• How does understanding that we are living between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel change our perspective on the urgency of making disciples and spreading the gospel?
• What does it mean practically to reflect Christ to the world, and how can churches live on mission?