From a biblical perspective, we are living in the Church Age. Some will protest that the term “Church Age” does not appear in the Bible. But the word “Bible” does not appear in the Bible either. The Church Age merely describes the period of time from the founding of the Church (classically understood as Pentecost following Christ’s ascension) to the moment when the Church is taken out of the world at the Rapture.
Jesus said that He would build His Church on the foundation—the rock—of revelation that Peter testified to at Caesarea Philippi. That “rock” was the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16), not the passionate, impulsive man Jesus renamed Peter, as Roman Catholicism has asserted. The Lord has been doing that ever since, reforming and calling His beloved Church (and the individual sheep it contains) to repent—turn back—as necessary throughout the centuries.
Jesus’ renaming of Simon to Peter is seen as an affirmation of the solidity of his faith. But Peter’s three-time denial after Christ’s crucifixion undermines that understanding—as was his impulsive rebuke of Jesus just a few verses later that compelled Jesus to turn to Peter and say, “Get behind Me, Satan!” I am convinced instead that Peter’s new name reflects Jesus’ loving sense of humor, given Peter’s notoriously hard head.
Scripture alludes that this will be known in hindsight as the “Time of the Gentiles”—revealing prophetically that the Church will take on a predominately Gentile consistency. Clearly, soon after the Jewish Diaspora began in AD 70, the Church began to expand dramatically in Gentile nations. Even as the Jewish people suffered the punishment described by Moses for their rebellion against God and their widespread rejection of His Messiah, the new Gentile branch grew and flourished.
The Lord is not done nourishing that branch. The Church continues to add souls (Gentile and Jewish) to the Kingdom. But the growth has transitioned to previously pagan parts of the world, while the light is fading in formerly Christian nations. Meanwhile, the return of the Jews and their reacquisition of Jerusalem signals that the Time of the Gentiles is coming to an end. God’s Spirit has drawn the House of Israel to begin streaming back home, setting the stage for the prophesied culmination of human history.
Added to that, a Jewish pastor in Israel recently told me that while the growth rate of the Gentile Church is slowing or reversing, Messianic Jewish followers of Christ are multiplying at an accelerating rate. Those Jewish believers are part of the contemporary body of Christ we refer to as the Church, but that trend alone indicates that we are on the brink of a major transition.
What’s Coming Next
While we may see other prophesied events take place if Jesus tarries, the next major event on the timeline of End Times events is the Rapture itself. That glorious gathering of all the Church Age saints is something that the Apostles anticipated even in their day. Because they knew that Jesus’ return would be imminent—and could be “soon” from an eternal perspective—they were highly motivated to endure any hardship and share the Gospel.
As Jesus tarried, scoffers began to doubt the validity of Jesus’ promises or redefine them with fanciful spiritualized interpretations. Those same scoffers now dismiss those who eagerly await the Lord’s return with cynical accusations, charging them as:
- Too heavenly minded to be any earthly good
- Having their heads in the clouds
- Unconcerned with growing violence and wickedness
- Unengaged with the world as they retreat to a mountaintop to await the Lord
- Consumed with date-setting
To the contrary, Christians who fully appreciate the nearness of Jesus’ coming are committed to urgent evangelism, holy living, and keeping our eyes on Jesus Christ—in the here and now and in anticipation of His imminent return.
Prophecy Chart
The January/February 2026 edition of our Lamplighter magazine [download free] focuses on the first of the series of events our new Prophecy Chart summarizes: the Church Age. Subsequent editions over the next 12 months will successively touch on the rest of the chart. In addition to the print material contained within the Lamplighter, we have created a series of video-based teachings tied to our new Prophecy Chart.
Whether reading, watching, or studying—individually or in small groups—we pray that this chart will be a blessing to you and all who receive a copy.
As we live out the Church Age, we have the great blessing of seeing the prophetic Word “made more sure” and even being fulfilled before our eyes. Heeding Peter, we certainly should “pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star arises in [our] hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Let’s purpose to do so together in the coming months!
Are You Ready?
Lamb & Lion Ministries has been proclaiming Jesus’ soon return for over 45 years. That message grows more timely by the day. He may burst from the heavens before this edition of the Lamplighter reaches you electronically or by mail. But here is the other truth: some who receive this magazine may be called home before the next edition is even written.
Similarly, people all around you—and in your own family and friend circle—are standing on the brink of eternity. In that instant when an unbeliever passes from this life, the years that seemed to pass so gradually will come to an end all too suddenly.
For their sake—and for God’s sake, because our Heavenly Father does not wish for any to perish—it is imperative that we seize every opportunity to urge them to flee from the wrath to come. For your love of God (and His great love for us), make sure everyone you know is ready before it is too late!
