All time as we know it is divided by God into five Eons or Aion in the Greek. An Eon is a period of time, of indefinite length, but having a definite beginning and a definite end. It cannot under any stretch of the imagination mean eternity. In fact Eternity is only mentioned twice in the whole of the New Testament and a separate word entirely (Aidion) is used in the Greek.
Here is a simple chart showing on the left the period before the Eons began. It references 1 Cor 8:6 which speaks of one God out of whom all is and one Lord jesus Christ through whom all is. The first Eon is implied in Genesis 1 where it says And the earth became a void: Also referred to as the Katabole or down casting of the earth. We know no more from scripture and we dare not speculate.The second one ended with the worldwide destruction of the flood.The present eon, called this wicked Eon in Galations, stretches from the flood to Christ's return to set up his 1000 year kingdom and there are two future Eons as pictured below.
The Five Eons
The scriptures reveal a beginning, with all out of God a continuation with God over all, and a consumption with God all in all.The truth about the Eons revolutionises our conception of God.It throws much light on the meaning and purpose of this trouble filled life. it makes a new book of that bible you study.
Before The Eons
There was a time before the eons began: Jesus spoke of it in John 17:5 "Glorify thou me now with the glory which I had before the world is" We know from 1 Cor 8: 6 that "there is one God out of whom all is and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom all is" The Eons were made by God.
Hebrews 1:2-3 informs us that God made the Eons through Jesus ( they didn't exist before that!)
1 Cor 2: 7 speaks of a wisdom hidden before the Eons: It's secret and concealed and designed for our glory. 2 Tim 1:9 is beautiful and very interesting: "Who saves us and calls us with a holy calling, not in accord with our acts, but in accord with His own purpose and the grace which is given to us in Christ Jesus before Eonian times." We were chosen and planned for before time or sin existed!
That is the limit of what we are told of pre eonian times: Suffice to say that the term
"before eonian times" makes it abundantly clear, even to a babe or minor, that Eon can in no way mean eternal despite the efforts of Vine and Strong to imply otherwise.
There is a separate word "aidion" which is used only twice in the scriptures, meaning unperceived or maybe eternal: It is found in Romans 1: 20 (invisible) referring to God's attributes and Jude 6 in reference to the bonds holding those fallen angels.
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First Eon
God made the first Eon (and all of them)
through Jesus Christ (Heb 1:2) This is referred to in Job 38:4-7
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?"
We know it was a time of great rejoicing as it continues: "while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?"
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?"
We know it was a time of great rejoicing as it continues: "while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?"
(There is also a reference to this in Job 26:7)
Now this first eon ended in calamity as Genesis 1 tells us "The earth became a void"
How long did this eon last? Thousands or millions of years? I don't know. (He doesn't say)
Were they technologically advanced? I don't know: God does not reveal that: However God gives a hint of something in using the word "Replenish" in Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:1
If the earth had to be re-populated then it was populated previously: There is a further co-relation between Gen 1:28 and Genesis 9:1 as the earth in both cases was flooded with water -- most probably as a result of judgement in both cases. Eph 1:4 speaks of a casting down of the earth (Kataballo in greek) Interesting!
