The End of the Age is the climactic close of the present world order that will be brought about by the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory.
It marks the termination of “this age” with its sin, suffering, and opposition to God, and the full inauguration of the age to come.
Jesus spoke of the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse and in His parables of the kingdom, linking it to the final harvest, the separation of the righteous and the wicked, and the consummation of all things.
Believers live between the ages — already tasting the powers of the age to come while still awaiting the final end of this present evil age.
Scripture divides history into “this age” and “the age to come.” This age is characterized by the reign of sin and death, the opposition of the powers of darkness, and the suffering of God’s people. The age to come is the realm of resurrection life, the full kingdom of God, and the eternal dwelling of God with His people. The end of the age is the decisive transition between the two. Jesus taught that the harvest is the end of the age, when the Son of Man will send His angels to gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and the righteous will shine like the sun. In the Olivet Discourse the disciples asked for the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. Jesus described the birth pains, the tribulation, the cosmic signs, and His visible return as the events that bring this age to its close. The present age is already invaded by the kingdom through the first coming of Christ; the end of the age will bring that kingdom to its open and final manifestation.
- The end of the age is the divinely appointed close of the present world order at the return of Christ.
- It is the time of the final harvest, the separation of the righteous and the wicked, and the full establishment of the kingdom.
- Jesus links the end of the age with His own coming in glory and the gathering of the elect.
- Believers already experience the powers of the age to come while still living in this present age.
- The end of the age is not the end of existence but the end of the present order of sin and death.
- Scripture calls for watchfulness and faithfulness in light of the coming end.
- The hope of the end of the age sustains the church in suffering and fuels the mission to the nations.
- Final Harvest – The Son of Man sends His angels to gather the wheat into the barn and bind the weeds for burning.
- Return of Christ – The end is brought about by the visible, glorious appearing of the Son of Man.
- Separation – The righteous and the wicked are finally and eternally divided.
- Judgment – The end of the age includes the judgment of the nations and the vindication of the saints.
- Cosmic Upheaval – Heavenly signs and the shaking of the created order accompany the transition.
- Consummation of the Kingdom – The present partial experience of the kingdom gives way to its full and open reign.
- New Beginning – The end of this age is the doorway into the age to come and the new heaven and new earth.
- Matthew 13:39-43 – “The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
- Matthew 13:49-50 – “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- Matthew 24:3 – “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”
- Matthew 28:20 – “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 24:29-31 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened… Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man… and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds…”
- Mark 13:24-27 – Parallel description of the cosmic signs and the gathering of the elect.
- Luke 21:25-28 – “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars… And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
- Galatians 1:4 – “…who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father…”
- Ephesians 1:21 – Christ is seated “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
- Hebrews 6:5 – Believers “have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come…”
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 – “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”
- 1 Peter 1:20 – Christ “was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you…”
- Hebrews 9:26 – “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
- Matthew 25:31-46 – The final judgment of the nations at the coming of the Son of Man in His glory.
- Revelation 21:1-4 – The new heaven and new earth; the former things have passed away; death, mourning, crying, and pain are no more.
- Daniel 12:1-3, 13 – A time of trouble such as never has been; many of those who sleep in the dust will awake; those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky.
- Titus 2:12-13 – “…training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”
- Olivet Discourse
- Second Coming
- This Age / The Age to Come
- Harvest
- Great Tribulation
- Gathering of the Elect
- Final Judgment
- Kingdom of God
- New Heaven and New Earth
- Already and Not Yet
- Watchfulness
- Blessed Hope
The end of the age is coming. This present evil age will not continue forever. The Son of Man will return in power and glory, the harvest will be gathered, the righteous and the wicked will be separated, and the kingdom will be openly established. Believers already taste the powers of the age to come, yet they still live in the midst of the birth pains of the present age. The same Jesus who promised to be with His people to the end of the age will bring that age to its close and usher in the age to come. Therefore live in readiness. Proclaim the gospel while there is time. Endure hardship as those who know the outcome. Straighten up and raise your heads — your redemption is drawing near. The end of the age is not the end of hope; it is the beginning of the everlasting kingdom.
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