Forever’s a long time, but it’s not a catch-all phrase.
Modern English dictionaries define this word as an adverb used to describe time in perpetuity, or something that will never end. So, whenever we see it in our English translations of the Greek New Testament, we naturally apply that meaning to the context.
But the Biblical authors didn’t expect much of anything to last forever, except for their Creator.
That’s why they envisioned the distant future as something being in the next age rather than a continuation of this one. Hence, the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, meaning “in,” or “into the age,” was an effective way of communicating what was yet to come. There are at least 38 uses of this expression present in the texts of the over 5600 Greek manuscripts existing today:
Rev. 20:10; Rev. 22:5; Rev. 4:10; Rev. 10:6; Rev. 14:11; Rev. 15:7; Rev. 19:3; Rev. 4:9; Rev. 1:6; Jude 1:25; Jude 1:13; 2Jn. 1:2; 1Jn. 2:17; 1Pet. 5:11; 1Pet. 1:25; Heb. 7:21; Heb. 7:17; Heb. 6:20; Heb. 5:6; Heb. 1:8; 2Tim. 4:18; 1Tim 1:17; Phil. 4:20; Eph. 3:21; 2Cor. 11:31; 2Cor. 9:8; Rom. 16:27; Rom. 11:36; Rom. 9:5; Rom. 1:25; Jn. 14:16; Jn.12:34; Jn. 8:35; Jn. 11:26; Jn. 6:58; Jn. 6:51; Lk. 1:55; Lk. 1:33
So what’s the point?
In some of the passages noted above, the intended meaning of being given life [or living] again in the next age has been misconstrued to imply that even those who are faithful to Christ’s commands have no reason to experience a future resurrection but rather should expect to live forever!
In other words, the phrase which meant “in/into the age,” has been translated as “forever” in most cases. But, in doing so, Bible translators have corrupted the meaning of a concept that’s crucial for me to understand if I hope to live and reign with Jesus Christ in the next age.
Because I have to be raised back from the dead for that to happen.
At least that’s what Jesus said anyway. [see: Jn. 6:39-40]
I often use Jn. 11:23-26 as an example. When Jesus told Martha that her brother Lazarus would rise again, she confirmed a well-understood principle that she had no doubt been taught regarding the Jewish Scriptures—that is, that he would indeed be raised back to life “on the last day.”
Speaking about the “last day” was another way of talking about the first day in the next age. [see: Dan. 12:2; Ezek. 37:1-23]
Jesus was surely demonstrating His authority to raise the dead in the future by bringing Lazarus back to life at that particular time. However, by doing that, He also reaffirmed that no human life shall exist in perpetuity, but that it must be given back by the Only One who could give it in the first place.
That’s right. The hope of the Christian life is a resurrection, not a disembodied bliss in the clouds with Jesus.
[So where did this lie come from? see: Lyin’ ’bout dyin’]
Compare your translation of how Jesus responded to Martha with how the Greek New Testament actually reads:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who is believing in Me shall live even though he [eventually] dies. And every [one] who is living and believing in Me shall never, ever die in the age. Do you believe this?” [vss. 25-26] [my emphasis]
In this particular example taken from the 38 given above, the words “in/into the age” are merely omitted from the text in most translations. But, by doing so, this passage is made inconsistent with the doctrine of a future resurrection.
Not only that, it simply doesn’t make sense.
See for yourself. Does Jesus actually contradict Himself in your translated version? Does He really tell Martha that death is inevitable, but then, in the next sentence, say that it isn’t?
I’m not suggesting that Biblical translating teams are deceitful by any means. I do, however, believe that deeply engrained religious convictions appear to sometimes influence the process of conveying the Word of God accurately.
The solution?
Learn Biblical Greek, or get to know someone who has.
Perhaps purchasing the NASB with Strong’s Bible Text translation [Lockman Edition] which is available with the free Olive Tree App would be the next best thing.
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Posted: November 17, 2021 by cjournalme
Let’s Engage the Coming Age!
Forever’s a long time, but it’s not a catch-all phrase.
Modern English dictionaries define this word as an adverb used to describe time in perpetuity, or something that will never end. So, whenever we see it in our English translations of the Greek New Testament, we naturally apply that meaning to the context.
But the Biblical authors didn’t expect much of anything to last forever, except for their Creator.
That’s why they envisioned the distant future as something being in the next age rather than a continuation of this one. Hence, the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, meaning “in,” or “into the age,” was an effective way of communicating what was yet to come. There are at least 38 uses of this expression present in the texts of the over 5600 Greek manuscripts existing today:
Rev. 20:10; Rev. 22:5; Rev. 4:10; Rev. 10:6; Rev. 14:11; Rev. 15:7; Rev. 19:3; Rev. 4:9; Rev. 1:6; Jude 1:25; Jude 1:13; 2Jn. 1:2; 1Jn. 2:17; 1Pet. 5:11; 1Pet. 1:25; Heb. 7:21; Heb. 7:17; Heb. 6:20; Heb. 5:6; Heb. 1:8; 2Tim. 4:18; 1Tim 1:17; Phil. 4:20; Eph. 3:21; 2Cor. 11:31; 2Cor. 9:8; Rom. 16:27; Rom. 11:36; Rom. 9:5; Rom. 1:25; Jn. 14:16; Jn.12:34; Jn. 8:35; Jn. 11:26; Jn. 6:58; Jn. 6:51; Lk. 1:55; Lk. 1:33
So what’s the point?
In some of the passages noted above, the intended meaning of being given life [or living] again in the next age has been misconstrued to imply that even those who are faithful to Christ’s commands have no reason to experience a future resurrection but rather should expect to live forever!
In other words, the phrase which meant “in/into the age,” has been translated as “forever” in most cases. But, in doing so, Bible translators have corrupted the meaning of a concept that’s crucial for me to understand if I hope to live and reign with Jesus Christ in the next age.
Because I have to be raised back from the dead for that to happen.
At least that’s what Jesus said anyway. [see: Jn. 6:39-40]
I often use Jn. 11:23-26 as an example. When Jesus told Martha that her brother Lazarus would rise again, she confirmed a well-understood principle that she had no doubt been taught regarding the Jewish Scriptures—that is, that he would indeed be raised back to life “on the last day.”
Speaking about the “last day” was another way of talking about the first day in the next age. [see: Dan. 12:2; Ezek. 37:1-23]
Jesus was surely demonstrating His authority to raise the dead in the future by bringing Lazarus back to life at that particular time. However, by doing that, He also reaffirmed that no human life shall exist in perpetuity, but that it must be given back by the Only One who could give it in the first place.
That’s right. The hope of the Christian life is a resurrection, not a disembodied bliss in the clouds with Jesus.
[So where did this lie come from? see: Lyin’ ’bout dyin’]
Compare your translation of how Jesus responded to Martha with how the Greek New Testament actually reads:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who is believing in Me shall live even though he [eventually] dies. And every [one] who is living and believing in Me shall never, ever die in the age. Do you believe this?” [vss. 25-26] [my emphasis]
In this particular example taken from the 38 given above, the words “in/into the age” are merely omitted from the text in most translations. But, by doing so, this passage is made inconsistent with the doctrine of a future resurrection.
Not only that, it simply doesn’t make sense.
See for yourself. Does Jesus actually contradict Himself in your translated version? Does He really tell Martha that death is inevitable, but then, in the next sentence, say that it isn’t?
I’m not suggesting that Biblical translating teams are deceitful by any means. I do, however, believe that deeply engrained religious convictions appear to sometimes influence the process of conveying the Word of God accurately.
The solution?
Learn Biblical Greek, or get to know someone who has.
Perhaps purchasing the NASB with Strong’s Bible Text translation [Lockman Edition] which is available with the free Olive Tree App would be the next best thing.
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