The Three Ages

by Dale Grissom

From The Reminder, August 29, 2010

It is made plain in the New Testament that the Law of Moses has been fulfilled.  It seems strange that so many people believe that this law is still in effect today.  Colossians 2:14-17 tells us that it was nailed to the cross with Christ.  The books of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews give scripture after scripture showing that the Law of Moses is no longer in force and that the law of the gospel of Christ - the New Testament -- is in effect today.  We are told in Galatians 5:4, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law: ye are fallen from grace.”

There are many religious organizations which try to hold on to parts of the old law in order to justify some practice in their churches - things such as instrumental music, special holy days, forbidding to marry, etc.  We must be careful when we study the Bible to realize that the Bible is divided into three separate ages.  The first is the Patriarchal Age.  In this age, God talked to the heads of families, such as Abraham.  This age lasted about 2500 years until the giving of the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai.  The Mosaic Law was given exclusively to the Israelites and lasted about 1500 years and included the birth, life, and death of Jesus.  The third period is the Christian Age, which began with the establishment of the church of the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ and will last until the end of time.  We now live under this law.

Unless one understands these three periods of time, and the three laws that were given, and to whom these laws were given, it is very hard to get much understanding of the Bible.