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(1 Cor. 15:25) extend far beyond the limits of the thousand years, if it is
to extend to the end of a thousand generations. One or two other terms
should be examined while we have this question before us. What is meant by
the words of Ephesians 3:21:
Eis
pasas tas
geneas
tou
aionos
ton
aionon.
Unto
all the
generations
of the
age
of the
ages.
To what period of time, and to which part of the Divine purpose does Peter
refer in 2 Peter 3:18, eis hemeran aionos, 'unto (the) day (of the) age'?
For one thing, we know that this reaches out to the extreme limits of the
time period mentioned in 2 Peter 3:
(1)
The
Day of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:10), that ends in dissolution,
(2)
The
Day of God (2 Pet. 3:12), for which the believer is to look,
(3)
The
Day of the Age (2 Pet. 3:18) which appears to be the goal of
all
time.
In Isaiah 44:7 Israel are called 'the ancient people' which however is
translated by some, including The Companion Bible, 'the everlasting nation'.
The Companion Bible note reads, 'The nation of Israel is everlasting, like
the covenant. The nations which oppressed Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon,
Rome) have passed away; but Israel remains, and when restored, will remain
for ever. Note and compare the nine everlasting things in Isaiah:
(1)
Covenant (55:3; 61:8; cf. note on Genesis 9:16);
(2)
kindness (54:8);
(3)
salvation (45:17);
(4)
excellency (60:15);
(5)
joy (51:11);
(6)
name (56:5);
(7)
light (60:19,20);
(8)
sign (55:13); and
(9)
as the pledge of all,
'the everlasting God' (40:28; 63:12)'.
Providing that we realize that the Hebrew word olam and the Greek aion,
means literally an age of undefined extent and not necessarily that which is
eternal in the fullest sense, the repetition of this term as indicated in the
quotation given above demands something more than a millennium of a thousand
years to justify or exhaust. There are evident correspondencies between the
earthly and the heavenly Jerusalem, which, while necessary to keep distinct,
throw light upon several features.
The promise of Ezekiel 37:26 -28 is echoed in Revelation 21:3:
'Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an
everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply
them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My
tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they
shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do
sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for
evermore'.
The other blessed reference to the wiping away of all tears, is an echo
of a prophecy of Isaiah: