The Good News Gospel and The Eons of The Bible

The Good News Gospel

Consider carefully some facts stated about this gospel of Christ as revealed through the apostle Paul. “It is the gospel of God concerning His Son” (Rom. 1:1,2). It was made known to Paul through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:6-12). “In it the righteousness of God is revealed” (Rom. 1:17). “It is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). It is the power that saves the irreverent and unrighteous from the condemnation and wrath of God (Rom. 3:21 to Rom. 5:19), the power that saves true believers from the reign of Sin in their lives (Rom. 6:1-23). But specifically, what is this gospel, about which so many wonderful things are declared?

The word “gospel” means simply “good news.” Yet “what” good news is it concerning God’s Son which reveals the righteousness of God, which is also the power of God unto salvation?

In its simplest form this gospel is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-7 as follows: “Now I am making known to you, brethren, the gospel which I bring to you, which you accepted also, in which you stand also, through which you are saved, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been raised the third day and that He was seen by Cephas, thereupon by the Twelve, thereupon He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once.”

This gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was entombed, and has been raised from among the dead. This gospel is not one fact, but three. It is not only that Christ died for our sins; it is also that He was entombed, and that He has been raised. The resurrection is indispensable. Apart from His resurrection, His death would have no saving value. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain—you are still in your sins,” is the inspired statement found in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. His resurrection distinguishes Him from all other spiritual leaders. Others have lived, taught, performed miracles and died. Jesus Christ is the only One Who died for our sins, has been raised, and now lives as the Saviour of the world.

In its fullest sense, this gospel includes the meaning of the death, the meaning of the entombment, and the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This includes all that the Son of God accomplishes for the entire creation in His death, in His entombment, and in His resurrection life. To grasp the meaning of this gospel in its fullest sense, it is necessary that we understand the revelation God has given through the apostle Paul as set forth in the Sacred Scriptures.

The Gospel Reveals God’s Righteousness

First, the gospel is revealed in the way God dealt with Jesus Christ when He became sin for us. In the death of Christ on the cross, we see God dealing righteously with sin. What a dreadful thing sin is to call forth such a severe penalty! What great sinners we are that we should justly deserve all that Jesus Christ endured! He did not die because of any wrong He had done. “He knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21). He did not submit to death because He could not help Himself: “No one is taking my soul from me, but I am laying it down of Myself” (John 10:17,18). “Christ died for the sake of the irreverent” (Rom. 5:6-9). “He was given up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justifying” (Rom. 4:25).

Whatever the penalty of sin is, Jesus Christ endured it to the full in order to become our Saviour. If the penalty of sin is either annihilation or endless punishment, Jesus Christ could not be the Saviour of anyone, for He was neither annihilated nor endlessly tormented. Christ died for our sins! If it were not for the death, the resurrection, and the present life of Jesus Christ, the final end of every human being would be death.

Second, the gospel reveals the righteousness which God Himself provides for mankind. Man cannot attain to righteousness by his own efforts, because of the devitalizing power of the mortality, or death, which is operating in him. Note carefully the positive and clear statement of Scripture: “Through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all mankind, on which all sinned….Sin reigns in death” (Rom. 5:12-21). Because sin “reigns in death,” man is as helpless to cure himself of his sinfulness as he is to cure himself of the death that is working in him.

God’s cure for death and His remedy for unrighteousness, is the life and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “For if, by the offense of the one, death reigns through the one, much rather, those obtaining the superabundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall be reigning in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:16,17; 6:1-23). “A righteousness of God is manifest…through the faith of Jesus Christ, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously by His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus…toward the display of His righteousness in the present season, for Him to be just and a Justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus” (see Rom. 3:19-28). “Now to the worker, the wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as a debt. Yet to him who is not working, yet is believing on Him Who is justifying the irreverent, his faith is reckoned for righteousness” (Rom. 4:4,5). “Having been now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him. For if, being enemies, we were conciliated to God through the death of His Son, much more, being conciliated, we shall be saved in His life” (Rom. 5:9-11).

To those who believe in what Jesus Christ has accomplished on their behalf, the Scriptures declare: “Yet you, of God, are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, besides righteousness and holiness and deliverance, that, according as it is written, He who is boasting, let him be boasting in the Lord” (see 1 Cor. 1:18-31).

Third, the gospel reveals the righteous basis upon which God assures the ultimate salvation of all mankind. (see 1 Tim. 4:9-11 and 1 Tim. 2:3-7; Rom. 5.12-19; 1 Cor. 15:20-28, Phil. 2:5-11; Col.1:15-20).

Because of what Jesus Christ has done, and will yet do in behalf of all mankind, the righteousness of God assures the salvation of all in due time. The “sacrificial work” of the Son of God has been finished on the cross (John 19:28-30). The “saving work” of the risen Son of God has only just begun, and will continue until all have been delivered from sin and death. Note carefully the clear statements of Scripture: “Christ died for the sake of all, consequently all died…God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them” (2 Cor. 5:14-21). “Who gave Himself a Ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:1-7). “For even as in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:20.28). “For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted righteous” (see Rom. 5:18,19).

Those who believe the gospel in this life, are saved for the eons or ages. They are justified by God’s grace (Rom. 3:24). They are reconciled to God (Col. 1:21). They receive the Spirit of God, and are set free from the dominion of sin in their lives (Rom. 8:9-11 and 6:1.23). They will experience the deliverance of their bodies when Jesus Christ returns (1 Cor. 15:50-58). They will share the glory and the labor of their Saviour during the coming eons (Eph. 2:14 and Eph. 3:8-11). Those who do not believe in this life will be resurrected and judged at the time of the great white throne (Rev. 20:11.15). God will deal with them justly according to their deeds (Rom. 2:1-16). Then those whose names are not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, the second death (Rev. 20:15). This, however, is not their final end, for they will be made alive at the conclusion of the eons when Jesus Christ abolishes the last enemy which is death (1 Cor. 15:25,26). Then, they too will be justified (Rom. 5:18,19), reconciled to God (Col. 1:20), and be made immortal (1 Cor. 15:22; Rom. 8:18-23; 2 Tim. 1:9-11). Then, all will be subjected to God the Father and God will be All in all (1 Cor. 15:27,28).

Some believe and teach that Jesus Christ either cannot or will not save all. It is a source of sadness that so many who profess to know Him and to love Him should slander Him in this manner. Surely He does not lack the ability; He has already saved the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Neither does He lack the love; “He died for all.” What He has promised in His Word, He will certainly do. “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching” (1 Tim. 4:9-11).

The Eons of The Bible

with Concordance

The teaching of the Scriptures about the eons provides answers to frustrating questions concerning the meaning of human existence. God’s purpose in creating man, and God’s purpose of the eons are inseparably related. Many are unfamiliar with this important subject because the facts have been concealed by incorrect and misleading translations of the Bible from the original languages into English.

The eons are the longest periods of time referred to in the Scriptures. Time-wise, they are of indefinite duration, but event-wise, they are distinctly marked off by great cataclysms which affect the whole earth.

Facts Revealed Concerning the Eons

* Literal Translation-vs-KJV:

The Eons Have A Beginning

• Heb. 1:2: God made the eons-vs-God made the worlds
• 1 Cor. 2:7: before the eons -vs- before the world
• 2 Tim. 1:9: before times eonian -vs- before the world began

The Eons Eons End, Individually and Collectively

• Heb. 9:26: the end of the eons -vs-the end of the world
• 1 Cor. 10:11: the end of the eons -vs- the ends of the world
• Matt. 24:3: the end of the eon -vs- the end of the world

How Many Eons Are There?

• Col. 1:26: hid from the eons -vs- Past hid from ages (at least two ages have past)
• Luke 20:34: this eon -vs- this world (this present age)
• Eph. 2:7: eons to come -vs- ages to come (At least two more to come, thus–a minimum of five eons indicated)

The Purpose of The Eons

“…according to the eternal (eónian/aionian) purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:11)

“…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times (ages) He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:10-11). The above verses talk about the purpose of the eons (“eternal purpose,” AV). If the eons have a purpose, what it is? We believe the gospel makes it clear that the purpose of the eons is—CHRIST!

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col 1:19-20).

The words “eon” and “eonian” occur 199 times in the New Testament.

They are translated as follows in the King James Version:

The fact that the same word translated “for ever,” “everlasting,” and “eternal” is also translated “world,” is a shocking surprise to many believers. Had God meant “world” in these places, He would have used the Greek word kosmos which means world. In the best literal translations, the words aion/eón and aionios/eónios are consistently rendered “age” and”age-abiding” or transliterated “eon” and “eonian.” See Rotherham’s Emphasized Version; Young’s Literal Translation; or the Concordant Literal New Testament.

God made the eons (Heb. 1:2) and fitted them out (Heb. 11:3) for the accomplishing of His purpose (Eph. 3:8-11; 1:9-11). During the eonian times, sin, suffering and death enter God’s creation, serve their purpose and are abolished by Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 4:9-11; Col. 1:20; 1 Cor. 15:22-28; Rom. 5:18,19; Phil. 2:9-11; John 12:32,33; 1 John 3:8).

The existence of God is not confined to the eons. He made the eons; therefore, He existed before they began. At the conclusion of the eons Jesus Christ will do away with sin (Heb. 9:26) and will abolish death (1 Cor. 15:22-26). All will then be subjected to God and God will be All in all (1 Cor. 15:27,28). Therefore, God continues to exist after the eons have ended. The statement “from everlasting to everlasting thou art God” (Ps. 90:2, AV), is literally, “from age to age thou art God.” This does not limit God’s existence to the eons any more than the statement, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Exod. 3:6), excludes Him from being the God of others also.

The same is true of the reference to Him as “the eonian God” (Rom. 16:25,26). During the present wicked eon (Gal. 1:4), Sin reigns, Satan who is said to be “the god of this eon” (2 Cor. 4:4) blinds and deceives mankind, and death swallows up the race (1 Cor. 15:22). But notwithstanding, God is over all and is in supreme control. He is the eonian God.

Neither is it true that if the eons end, the life of believers in Christ must end. Believers do receive eonian life. But if this is all that God promised, there would be no assurance of life beyond the eons. However, at the end of the eons God abolishes death from His universe (1 Cor. 15:26). This is accomplished by imparting the resurrection life of Christ to all who have not previously received it. Eonian life assures one of life up to that point. Beyond that, death is impossible.

In the Greek Scriptures endlessness is never expressed in terms of eons or of that which is eonian. The Scriptures never speak of “the endless eons of eternity.” Endlessness is expressed by the use of negatives: “not,” “no not,” “un,” “less.” For example: “of His kingdom there shall be no end” (ouk estai telos; Luke 1:33); “endless life” (akatalutou; Heb. 7:16); “endless genealogies” (aperantois; 1 Tim. 1:4); “nevermore” (ou me eti; Rev. 18:21-23).

Complete Concordance

The Noun “Eón/Aion” and its Adjective “Eónios/Aionios” Translated, Eon and Eonian

Eon In The Singular

1. The present eon—Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 6:17; 2 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:12 (world).
2. This eon—Matt. 12:32; 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 16:8; 20:34; Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:20; 2:6,8; 3:18; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 1:21; 6:12 (world).
3. The eon of this world—Eph. 2:2 (course of this world).
4. From the eon—Matt. 21:19; Mark 11:14; Luke 1:55; John 6:51,58; 8:35; 12:34; 14:16; 2 Cor. 9:9; Heb. 5:6; 6:20; 7:17,21; 1 Pet. 1:23,25; 2 Pet. 2:17; 1 John 2:17; 2 John 2; Jude 1:13 (forever); Heb. 7:24 (ever); 7:28 (for evermore); 1 Cor. 8:13 (while the world standeth).
5. Not for the eon—Mark 3:29; John 4:14; 8:51,52; 10:28; 11:26; 13:8 (never).
6. Before all the eon—Jude 1:25a (AV omits) RV “before all time.”
7. From the eon—Luke 1:70; Acts 3:21 (since the world began); Acts 15;18 (from the beginning for the world; Out of the eon John 9:32 (since the world began).
8. The conclusion of the eon—Matt.13:39,40,49; 24:3; 28:20 (the end of the world).
9. The coming eon—Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Heb. 6:5, (world); that eon Luke 20:35 (that world).
10. For the day of the eon—2 Pet. 3:18 (for ever). Compare Deut. 32:7; Mic. 5:2; 7:14; Mal. 3:4.

Eon In The Plural

1. God made the eons—Heb. 1:2; equipped the eons Heb. 11:3 (worlds).
2. Purpose of the eons–Eph. 3:11; King of the eons 1 Tim. 1:17 (eternal).
3. Before the eons—1 Cor. 2:7 (before the world); From the eons Eph. 3:9 (from the beginning of the world); Col. 1:26 (from ages).
4. For the eons—Matt. 6;13; Luke 1:33; Rom. 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 16:27; Heb. 13:8 (for ever); 2 Cor. 11:32 (for evermore); for all the eons, Jude 1:25 (ever). “all” omitted in some MSS.
5. The on-coming eons—Eph. 2:7 (ages to come).
6. Conclusion of the eons—Heb. 9:26 (end of the world). R.V. “end of the ages.”
7. Ends of the eons—1 Cor.10:11 (ends of the world). R.V. “ends of the ages.”

Eon Twice In The Same Phrase

1. The eons of the eons—Gal. 1:5; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; Rev. 1:6; 4:9,10; 5:13,14; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 14:11; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5 (for ever and ever); Rev. 1:18 (for evermore). A comparison of Rev. 11:14,15 with 1 Cor. 15:27,28 makes it clear that the expression “the eons of the eons” does not mean an endless succession of eons. Christ reigns for “the eons of the eons,” after which He delivers up the kingdom to the Father and Himself becomes subject, that God may be All in all.
2. The eon of the eons—for all the generations of, Eph. 3:21 (throughout all ages, world without end). In the Authorized Version, the Greek word for “generations” is wrongly translated “ages” in this passage. The eon of the eons is the last and greatest eon of them all, which consummates in the realization of God’s purpose in the salvation of all.
3. The eon of the eon—Heb. 1:8 (for ever and ever). This is a reference to the last eon which issues out of the one which precedes it.

The Adjective Eonian

1. Before eonian times—2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2 (before the world began).
2. In eonian times—Rom. 16:25 (since the world began).
3. Eonian life—Matt. 19:29; Luke 18:30; John 3:15,16,36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:27,40,47; 12:50; Acts 13:46; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16 (everlasting); Matt. 19:16; 25:46; Mark 10:17, 30; Luke 10:25; 18:18; John 4:36; 5:39; 6:54,68; 10:28; 12:25; 17:2,3; Acts 13:48; Rom. 2:7; 5:21; 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:12; Titus 1:2; 3:7; 1 John 1:2; 2:25; 3:15; 5:11,13,20; Jude 1:21 (eternal).
4. Eonian redemption—Hebrews 9:12 (eternal).
5. Eonian salvation—Hebrews 5:9 (eternal).
6. Eonian glory—2 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 5:10 (eternal).
7. Eonian kingdom—2 Peter 1:11 (everlasting).
8. Eonian inheritance—Hebrews 9:15 (eternal).
9. Eonian “things not seen”—2 Corinthians 4:18 (eternal).
10. Eonian house—2 Corinthians 5:1 (eternal).
11. Eonian habitations—Luke 16:9 (everlasting).
12. Eonian consolation—2 Thessalonians 2:16 (everlasting).
13. Eonian covenant—Hebrews 13:20 (everlasting).
14. Eonian gospel—Revelation 14:6 (everlasting).
15. Eonian God—Romans 16:26 (everlasting).
16. Eonian Spirit—Hebrews 9:14 (eternal).
17. Eonian power—1 Timothy 6:16 (everlasting).
18. Eonian judgment—Hebrews 6:2 (eternal)
19. Eonian condemnation—Mark 3:29 (eternal damnation).
20. Eonian fire—Matthew 18:8; 25:41 (everlasting); Jude 1:7 (eternal fire).
21. Eonian chastening—Matthew 25:46 (everlasting).
22. Eonian extermination—2 Thessalonians 1:9 (everlasting).
23. Eonian—Philemon 15 (for ever).