The Bible was written in the Greek. It was the language Jesus used, and the Apostles also used it to record Scripture. There are two Greek words used to reference time or a period or periods of time. The first is AIŌN (G165 Strong’s) = “What age/era?”

Aiōn concerns the character or identity of a period.

AION, when we see it think about it as:

→ time as an age/era

→ a defined period with a particular character or order

→ “which age?” or “what era?”

When we see

CHRONOS (G5550 Strong’s) = “How much time?”

Chronos concerns the duration or succession of time.

G5550 — χρόνος (chronos)

→ time as duration

→ succession of time

→ an interval

→ “how long?”

These are the characteristics being expressed with the word usage.  So let’s examine a passage where AION is used:

1 Corinthians 2:6  Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this (Aion age) nor of the rulers of this (Aion age), who are passing away;

1 Corinthians 2:7  but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden [wisdom] which God predestined before the (Aion ages) to our glory; (NASB1995)

The KJV in each of these appearances above of the word AION, have translated it to mean “world”.   The word AION occurs 128 times; and KJV only translates it ”age” 2 times, and 0 times does it translate it ages plural.  So what is happening in translation?

First, let me say that we can understand what Paul is saying with either translation.  But, why the change?  Does it really help us understand better, The Holy Spirit’s meaning?  And we must say that, yes it could.  The Greek does have grammatical rules. The plural usage in verse 7 is correctly translated ages in the NSAB.  IT tells us that there were ages involved between God’s predetermining His salvation plan for us before the creation of the world and the time of Christ’s accomplishing of that predetermined plan.  Just what those ages might be is not made clear.  One reason is that we don’t know if The Holy Spirit considered there to be ages involved before the creation itself?  

So, there is some speculation needed using God’s wisdom.  Paul speaks of man’s wisdom. If we consider verse 6 above; then we see mankind of this age who are without God and without His wisdom and who are and will pass away from His and our presence .  Scripture overall teaches us that message. This present world is to pass away.  Men without God’s wisdom will pass away from Gods presence.  So this wording does allow for ages to possibly mean something other than being for fallen mankind. It seems that his time is already established: or for those who will never obey God’s way of salvation his age is set.  

So it is likely that dispensations have been interjected to state the different ways that God has dealt with those who are becoming His own people through the provision of salvation.   One thing seems sure: that believing God and acting on that belief is the evidence of God’s people throughout man’s history. Man needs to believe what God tells him in order to be in His family. God’s revelation to mankind is progressive. Man’s response to what He reveals is a constant. It takes belief in what path He outlines. 

So when Paul tells us that it was Abraham’s faith that put Him in our Father’s good standing; it was his faith proven by his actions that God honored. Adam’s sin was revealed in what he did and did not do at the outset of creation.  Adams actions revealed mans unfaithfulness, and it was reckoned to all mankind as sin. But God was not unjust to declair us all sinners, because in fact we are.  Without Him we are nothing. Only through His righteousness imputed to us are we worthy to enter into His presence.  

So, even should we conclude that there are past ages , those ages represent God’s progressive revelation to mankind leading to His salvation.  His final revelation to us took place as He took our sin to Calvary and then rose again from the dead.  He will do nothing more for mankind’s salvation beyond that.   There remains nothing more to be done other than to save those who will turn to Him for a new heart. Once all have come to Him from both the Jews and the Gentiles, those who will receive His payment for their sin; then He will return during Armageddon to save Israel those, who remain from that nations purge having had it occur during what is yet a future prophesied Tribulation period.  These will call out for Him before He will deliver them (Hosea 5:15. ).

Then following that Tribulation He will gather His bride, who has now made herself ready (Mark 13 & Rev. 19).  He will return with us (2 Thes. 1:7) and His Angels to judge every man for what each has done (Matt 25:31 & Rev. 22:12).  Following He will set up His promised Millennial Kingdom.  But even Christ’s kingdom rule though a great and long expected age, still it is not the final age. There is an eternity awaiting the redeemed, and with it untold ages to come. But you oh man must know that today is the day of salvation, and what you do with the Christ is determinative for you eternal future. There is no other way to life except by Him and through Him. He loves you, receive His love. His love is like pure Honey.  It will more than satisfy your soul.