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It will be gathered from this extract that we see in Revelation 21 to
22:5 'the farthest point to which the book of the Revelation takes us in the
outworking of the purpose of the ages', and moreover we render Revelation
22:5, 'and they shall reign unto the ages of the ages'. Our suggestion to
the interested reader is that he should explore this subject further, and in
order to get what help there is available in The Berean Expositor, he should
make good use of the Comprehensive Index. For example, the translation,
'unto the ages of the ages', is suggestive of much. We open the 'Index of
Subjects', and under the heading, 'Ages of ages,' are directed to Vol. 15,
page 41, where we read:
'The expression "for the ages of the ages" (eis tous aionas ton aionon)
occurs in the Book of the Revelation 13 times, and is distributed as
follows:
'For the ages of the ages'
A
1:6.
The kingdom of priests ascribe
glory and dominion to Christ.
B
1:18. Christ
Living for the ages of the ages.
C
Worshippers of
a1
4:9. The Living Creatures.
God (fourfold)
b1 4:10. The twenty -four elders.
a1
5:13. Every creature.
b1 7:12. All the angels.
A
10:6. The mighty angel. The mystery
of God finished.
B1
11:15. He shall reign.
C
Worshippers of
a2
14:11. Smoke of torment.
Satan (fourfold)
b2
15:7. The seven angels.
a2
19:3. Smoke of torment.
b2
20:10. The Devil Beast and
False Prophet.
B2
22:5. They shall reign.
'The ages of the ages is the great converging point of all time. There
the smoke ceases to ascend, there every enemy is subjected, there the
reign of the saints reaches its goal, there in fact the Son Himself
shall vacate His mediatorial throne, and having accomplished the
purpose of the ages He shall: "Deliver up the kingdom to God, even the
Father ... that God may be all in all"' (1 Cor. 15:24 -28).
The reader will understand from the above, therefore, that any feature
of promise or prophecy that falls within the ages of the ages must be before
the great act of 1 Corinthians 15:24 -28, and that Revelation 20:10 and 22:5
fall within the limits of the ages.
We now turn up the 'Index of Scripture References' and note that
Revelation 20:4 -6 is dealt with in Vol. 14, page 56. Nothing is actually
listed in the Index concerning Revelation 20:1 -3, but it is a simple thing
to go back from page 56 to the preceding article. There on page 29 we read:
'The thousand years of Christ will not be the final and perfect
kingdom; it will be preparatory'.
In Vol. 14, page 56, we read