Jesus made a promise to his disciples just prior to his ascension that he would be with them until the end of the age…. yet, he was about to depart from them.
(All scripture references in the NASB unless otherwise stated)
Mathew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This text, admittedly difficult at face value, goes much deeper than many might expect. In this article, we will answer three questions.
- What did Jesus mean by the “end of the age”?
- How and in what way did Jesus promise to be with his disciples?
- Why did Jesus promise to “be with them” until the end of the age?
Let’s begin.
For starters, the text above in the NASB is not the best translation of verse 20. The first reason being that the word “always” is a poor translation of the Greek word “pas”, and the second being that the Greek word “hemera” (translated as “day”) is completely omitted. Below is how the YLT renders verse 20, which is more accurate.
“…teaching them to observe all, whatever I did command you, and lo, I am with you all the days — till the full end of the age.” (Mathew 28:20 YLT)
An even better translation would be “… and lo, I am with you every (pas) day (hemera), until the end of the age.
Before we can answer the above questions, we must understand what Jesus was not saying. Jesus was not saying that his personal presence would remain with his disciples after he ascended. If we interpret Jesus’ words “I am with you” to refer to his personal presence continuing with the disciples, we are going to have problems with other texts. For example, Jesus plainly taught that he would be “going” to the Father, but that both himself and his Father would “come” (return) again to dwell with them on the earth.
John 14:3,23,28
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also…. Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him…. “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
The technical word that is used in the new testament to refer to the “second coming” of Jesus is “Parousia”, which literally means “presence”. Jesus was going to heaven but would send the Holy Spirit to be with them while his “presence” was absent.
The idea of the personal presence of Jesus remaining with His people in the first century after his ascension completely contradicts many new testament texts. In virtually every letter (book), we find the first century church eagerly anticipating the coming (presence) of the Lord to return to “be with them forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). His personal presence was most assuredly not “with them” post ascension and prior to AD70.
The other problem with making Jesus words refer to his personal presence is that whenever we place the “end of the age”, that’s when the presence of Jesus ceases to “be with us”. Many (like myself) place the end of the age in AD70, at the end of the old covenant age. Others place the end of the age at the end of time, meaning the end of the current Christian age. However, this interpretation of Jesus’ words prove undesirable for either position as demonstrated below.
Position #1
Jesus’ personal presence would be with them until the end of the age.
The end of the age was in AD70
Therefore, Jesus’ personal presence would be with them until AD70.
Position #2
Jesus’ personal presence would be with them until the end of the age.
The end of the age is the end of the Christian age.
Therefore, Jesus’ personal presence will be with them (us) until the end of the Christian age.
So once again, if Jesus meant that his personal presence would remain with them until the end of the age, then at the end of the age – either in AD70 or at the end of the Christian age – is when the presence of Jesus ceases to be “with them/us”. In this scenario, both views end up with the short end of the stick, they both end up without the presence of Jesus at some point. For this reason alone, this interpretation of Jesus’ words must be rejected.
Now that we have demonstrated what Jesus’ words “I am with you” don’t mean, we can begin to investigate what they do mean. And to get there, we must begin with the question, what did Jesus mean by the end of the age?
THE END OF THE AGE
And as is always the case, the answer can be found by allowing the scriptures to interpret themselves. As noted above, the author takes the position that when Jesus referred to the end of the age, he was referring to the end of the old covenant age which consummated in AD70 in the dissolution of the old covenant “world”. It was under that old covenant age that Jesus both lived and died.
The phrase “the end of the age” is only used in four texts outside of Mathew 28:20, and in each of those cases it refers to the end of the old covenant age and not to the end of what many call the “church age”. Those four texts are Mathew 13:39-40,49, Mathew 24:3, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 9:26.
For the sake of time we will briefly look at three of the four texts, leaving out Mathew 13. Let’s begin with the Mathew 24 text.
Mathew 24:3
“… Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?…. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
In response to his disciples’ question about when the end of the age would come, Jesus told them emphatically that the end of the age would take place within the lifetime of his own contemporary generation. It is because of these sure words of Jesus that the other new testament writers could pen the following.
1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
When comparing the people and the “wanderings” of the first-exodus generation with his own last-exodus generation, Paul states that the ends (the consummative goals) of all ages had come upon him and his generation.
Notice also how he compares “them” with “our”. The experiences which happened to Israel in the wilderness (them), happened as examples (literally, as “types”), and were recorded to instruct Paul’s (our) generation. It was Paul and his first century audience that were then living in the “ends of the ages”.
Hebrews 9:26
“…but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself”.
The writer to the Hebrews says that Jesus was “manifested to put away sin” at the “consummation (end) of the ages”. According to this text, the end of the age was present when Jesus was “manifested”. In other words, when Jesus appeared to Israel as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, he did so in the “end of the age”.
Since Jesus both lived and died under the old covenant age, this is irrefutable proof that the end of the age in this text refers to the end of the old covenant age. Here is the picture we have of the end of the age based on the above texts.
- The end of the age began prior to the cross, and was initiated through the ministry of Jesus, under the old covenant (Hebrews 9:26).
- The end of the age was present and ongoing after the cross and prior to AD70 throughout the covenantal transition period – the second exodus – (1 Corinthians 10:11).
- The end of the age was to (and did) culminate within the lifetime of Jesus’ own contemporary generation (Mathew 24:3,34) surrounding the events of Jerusalem’s destruction in AD70 which marked the end of the old covenant world.
Based on these three points we can see that the “end of the age” referred to the end (consummation) of the old covenant age which was initiated through the manifestation of Jesus, anticipated by the new testament writers throughout the transitional period, and was consummated at the coming of Christ through the destruction and dissolution of the old covenant world in AD70.
The end of the old covenant age is what the apostle John referred to when he said that the “world is passing away” (1 John 2:15-18). The old covenant “world” was coming to an end, it had served its purpose.
Armed with the truth that the end of the age meant the end of the old covenant age, we come to our next question. How and in what way did Jesus promise to be with his disciples?
SIGNS CONFIRMING THE WORD
The parallel text of Mathew 28:19-20 found in the gospel of Mark will be of much assistance.
Mark 16:15-20
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues. they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.
Notice that “Lord” (v.20) refers to the “Lord Jesus” (v.19), which is being contrasted with “God” (v.19). Mark says that Jesus “worked with them” (was a partner in their labors) by confirming the word through signs (attesting miracles).
By combining both Mathew and Mark’s accounts, we see that the way and how the Lord remained “with” his disciples, was through the miracles and wonders which confirmed the “word”. In other words, through the signs that confirmed their gospel message, the Lord would be working with his disciples every day, until the end of the age. (Also see Hebrews 2:1-4 for a similar text).
Notice that the preaching and teaching of the “word” (the gospel), is consistently connected to the “signs, wonders, and miracles”. This is demonstrated powerfully in what follows.
Preach the gospel…. signs will accompany
The word…. confirmed by signs following (Mark 16 – see text above)
Acts 2:42-43
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Apostles teaching…. wonders and signs through apostles (Acts 2)
Acts 4:16,29-30,33
saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it…. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus”. …. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Testimony to the resurrection…. signs, wonders, great power (Acts 4)
Acts 5:12-13,20
At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem…. Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.”
The whole message of Life…. many signs and wonders (Acts 5)
Acts 6:7-8
The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
The word spreading…. great wonders and signs (Acts 6)
Acts 8:4-6,12-15
Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing…. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Preaching the word…. signs performed
Preaching the good news of the kingdom…. signs and great miracles (Acts 8)
Acts 14:1-3
In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore, they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
Testifying to the word of His grace… signs and wonders granted (Acts 14)
Acts 15:7-8,12
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us…. All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
The word of the gospel…. giving of the Spirit, signs and wonders (Acts 15)
Acts 19:6-12
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men. And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
Persuading about the kingdom of God…. performing extraordinary miracles (Acts 19)
Romans 15:18-19
For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Preached the gospel of Christ…. signs and wonders (Romans 15)
2 Corinthians 11:7, 12:12
Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
Preached the gospel…. signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 11-12)
Hebrews 2:1-4
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty. How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
The word of salvation… confirmed and testified by signs, wonders, miracles (Hebrews 2)
The Gospel & Signs Following – Comparative Chart
As we have shown, it was through the signs that confirmed their gospel message, the Lord was working with his disciples every day, until the end of the age. After all, isn’t that what Jesus told his disciples…
“He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do… these signs will accompany those who have believed…. the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed”. (John 14:12, Mark 16:17,20).
THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM
We now come to our last question. Why did Jesus promise to “be with them” until the end of the age?
However, since we have already determined that the end of the age referred to the end of the old covenant age which ended in AD70. And, that the “way” which Jesus was “with them” was through “the signs” which confirmed the word….
We will reframe the question like this. Why did Jesus promise to confirm the word through signs, only until the end of the old covenant age, which ended in AD70?
The answer is found in the definition of “the word”. This word wasn’t just any message, it was a specific “word”. And, this “word” is directly connected to the “end of the (old covenant) age”.
Today’s popular “words” word such as the “grace message” or the “word of faith message” etc., fall very short of the message that Jesus came and proclaimed. This message was the gospel (good news) of the soon-coming-kingdom. Jesus also called his message, the “word of the kingdom”.
Mathew 4:23
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
Mathew 24:14
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
So, the gospel is in fact the gospel of the kingdom. But, Jesus also identifies that gospel-word as the “word of the kingdom”
Mathew 13:18-19
Hear then the parable of the sower. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it…”
And just to make sure we don’t miss it, Jesus uses “the word” and “the gospel” synonymously in the same context.
Mark 16:15,20
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…. the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.
Therefore, the “word” is the gospel (good news) of the kingdom. So, when Mark tells us that Jesus confirmed the “word” by signs that followed, he is telling us that the signs were confirming the gospel of the kingdom. But what was the gospel (good news) of the kingdom? In other words, why was the message of the kingdom “good news”?
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The good news (gospel) of the kingdom was that the kingdom was “at hand”.
Therefore, the “word” which Jesus (by the Spirit) was confirming through signs, miracles, and wonders was the good news (gospel) that Israel’s Messianic kingdom was near, the time for its establishment was at hand.
You see, the reason that Jesus said he would only “be with” his disciples to confirm the gospel message of the coming-kingdom until the end of the old covenant age in AD70, was because he had decreed by his own mouth that the kingdom would come (be established) within the lifetime of his disciples (his own generation), as the consummation of the old covenant age.
Mathew 16:27-28
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
And, once the kingdom had come, there would no longer be the need to confirm the message of the “coming kingdom”. Jesus would no longer need to work “with them” through signs.
THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM IN AD70
Up to this point we have established the following:
- The “end of the age” in Mathew 28:20 referred to the end (consummation) of the old covenant age, which ended in AD70.
- The “way” which Jesus remained “with” his disciples after his ascension was through the Spirit empowered “signs” which confirmed the word, that is, the gospel of the kingdom.
- The “gospel (good news) of the kingdom” was the message that Israel’s messianic kingdom was near, the appointed time for its establishment had arrived, and the end of the old covenant age was upon them.
- The reason that Jesus said he would “be with” his disciples through “signs” to confirm the gospel of the soon-coming-kingdom only until the end of the old covenant age in AD70, was because he had promised by his own mouth that the kingdom would come (be established) within his own generation (Mathew 16:27-28, Mathew 24:3,34).
The fact is this; since signs, wonders, and miracles have ceased as a confirmation of the soon-coming-kingdom, it is irrefutably true that the kingdom of God has come, bringing “the end” to the old covenant age – just as Jesus promised.
Although it would be exciting to see the miraculous gifts today through the body of Christ, we should always be content and confident that the wisdom of God knows best. The Father, in his omniscience selected a specific generation (the first-fruit-first-century generation), and divinely endowed them with miraculous gifts which served a specific purpose at a specific time, in order to consummate His redemptive plan.
The appointed time for Israel’s promised kingdom had come, and the good news (the gospel) which both John the Baptist and Jesus came proclaiming was that Israel’s kingdom was truly “at hand”. After the death of both Messiah and his forerunner (John), the Holy Spirit was sent to “confirm” the message of the imminent arrival of the kingdom by “signs” (attesting miracles). It was through these signs that Jesus was able to remain “working with” his people until the end of the age.
The “signs” also confirmed the true disciples (specifically the apostles) of the Lord as the inspired and authoritative ambassadors of Yahweh. They were entrusted with the task of establishing new testament doctrine, and fulfilling the great commission by preaching the gospel of Israel’s kingdom to all Israel who had been scattered throughout the entire known world of that time.
Mathew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
True to his words, the Master remained “with” his disciples every day until the end of the old covenant age. He, through the work of the Holy Spirit, confirmed their preaching of the gospel of the kingdom with signs, miracles, and wonders. When the kingdom arrived in glory, the new covenant world was established, the old was fulfilled and abolished, and the signs which “confirmed” it would happen were no longer necessary.
Dan Dery
Titus 1:9