Ephesians 2:7 packs a punch often overlooked—“That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” There it is: a hint at something so vast and so future-facing that it boggles the mind. But what exactly are these “ages to come,” and how do they fit into God’s grand scheme, especially when you hold tightly to grace and rightly dividing the Word?
Let’s unpack this without getting tangled in mysticism or frenzy. Grace believers understand that history as we know it is punctuated by distinct dispensations where God reveals different aspects of His plan. The phrase “ages to come” alerts us to the eternal horizon beyond this present age—not a vague, spiritualized eternity but a concrete set of eras where God’s grace will be amplified, demonstrated, and glorified.
Grace and the Timeline of Redemption
First off, it’s important to remember that Scripture speaks of time not just linearly but dispensationally. Paul isn’t referencing some ethereal, one-big-eternity; he’s pointing us toward a sequence of “ages”—periods marked by how God interacts with mankind.
Right now, we’re living under grace through Jesus Christ. After the stirring of the church, after the times of the Gentiles wind down (as captured earlier in Ephesians), what comes next? Well, “the ages to come” reveal a future where God’s kindness and grace aren’t just experienced but are magnified beyond human comprehension.
So, why does Paul throw this phrase into his letter to the Ephesians? Because to a grace believer, the Church Age is this breathtaking parenthesis in God’s plan. And “the ages to come” remind us that God’s grace is eternal and multi-layered. It’s like a divine encore that keeps revealing new depths and riches.
Forget What You Thought About Eternity
We often think of eternity as this endless stretch of time with no change, just an infinite loop of heaven’s bliss. But the ages to come suggest more than just “eternity.” Here, “ages” (aionas in Greek) implies distinct, identifiable epochs.
It’s why dispensationalists rightly say that history will proceed through several divine eras—each with its own character. The “ages to come” are the periods after this current Church Age. Think of it as God’s masterpiece in several acts rather than one long act.
Does it feel complicated? It can be. But it points to the reality that God has unfolding plans where everything—good, bad, redemption, and judgment—plays its role. And grace? Grace binds these acts into a harmonious story.
The Exceeding Riches of Grace on Full Display
“So that in the ages to come might show the exceeding riches of His grace.” This isn’t just a hopeful phrase. It’s a profound revelation that God’s kindness will be shown in ways we can’t yet fathom.
When you embrace grace theology, you realize that grace is unmerited favor—the kind we clearly understand as freely given through Christ. But there’s more: grace also signifies the power of God at work, transforming, sustaining, and glorifying.
Imagine this: what we experience now is merely the prologue. Through all the drama of the Church Age, the resurrection, and glorification, God’s kindness has already been poured out mightily. Still, “the ages to come” promise something beyond our present grasp—a future exhibition of divine generosity that overwhelms our sense of worth or achievement.
What Does This Mean for Us Now?
If the ages to come are about God displaying grace’s “exceeding riches,” what does that mean for you and me on this side of history?
Here’s the kicker: it means the grace we know today, received by faith, is just the beginning. God’s kindness carries a promise that transcends our current spiritual walk. The fact that Paul specifically says “in Christ Jesus” directs our focus on the pivot point of history.
We stand in the grace dispensationally positioned between what Christ achieved on the cross and what God is yet to reveal—both in future ages and throughout eternity.
So, when the hard times come, or when we feel unworthy or tossed by doubt, remember that God’s grace isn’t shallow; it’s deep and eternal. The “ages to come” remind us that God’s favor toward His children transcends our present condition.
If you want to dig a little deeper into such promises, this site offers daily insights that keep grace and truth front and center.
Dispensational Clarity: Why It Matters
Adopting a grace believer’s perspective shaped by right division changes everything when tackling passages like this. Some might erroneously spiritualize “ages to come” into a non-specific eternal hope, glossing over the timeline and purpose signaled by the text.
Understanding that “ages” are distinct epochs defined by God helps keep Scripture coherent. It stops you from mashing the Church, Israel, and eternity all into one confusing lump. The Church Age is a parenthesis; Israel’s promises have not been revoked; and after the Church departs, new ages—new revelations of grace—unfold on God’s timeline.
Isn’t it beautiful when you realize God’s plan isn’t static or a one-time event? Instead, it’s a dynamic unfolding of grace through “the ages to come,” proving His kindness remains active and spectacular.
Don’t Miss the Kindness in His Grace
“Kindness toward us” is a phrase Paul tucks within that ocean of grace. Grace isn’t cold or transactional—it’s warm, tender, and deeply kind. God’s kindness in grace is precisely what draws us, refines us, and sustains hope.
In our walk today, it’s tempting to forget that God’s kindness transcends mere mercy or justice—it’s about His desire for relationship and restoration. The ages to come will forever showcase this, through redeemed humanity and the glorification of all creation.
So if you grapple with feeling insignificant or wonder how God could love someone like you—lean into this promise. The “exceeding riches of His grace” are personal, abundant, and everlasting.
People often ask, “Where do I stand in all this?” Remember, you’re on the frontline of grace, an invited guest at the feast of the ages to come.
Something to Chew On
Understanding “the ages to come” shifts how you live now. No more thinking that grace is a one-time event or some spiritual system boxed into your Sunday service. Grace is God’s ongoing gift stretching far beyond what we see.
Next time you find your faith lagging, recall Paul’s words: God’s grace will be “shown in the ages to come.” That’s a promise that empowers hope. A reminder that God’s kindness isn’t just for now but is an eternal showcase of His love.
You want to stay sharp? Check out daily encouragement like this devotional message that emphasizes the richness of God’s grace. Dive in. Let the promise of “ages to come” breathe new life into you.
Grace isn’t holding out on you. It’s alive, growing, and about to outdo anything you’ve experienced—across every age that God has prepared.
Final thoughts? The “ages to come” aren’t some distant, dusty future. They are the illuminated chapters ahead—each a testament to the inexhaustible, extravagant grace of our King. Keep pressing into that truth. Let it challenge your assumptions and fuel your faith today, tomorrow, and forever.