Bible Terms and Definitions

The following terms are defined:

Ages

An age is a time period during which the purpose of God unfolds. Ages emphasize ancient times and the variety of God’s program. Three major ages are

1. The Age of the Father – The Old Testament period.
2. The Age of the Son – The period covered by the Gospels.
3. The Age of the Holy Spirit – The period from the Day of Pentecost to the Second Coming of Jesus.

Other ages named by Bible scholars include

1. The Age of Conscience – Genesis 3:7-8:22.
2. The Age of Human Government – Genesis 9:6.
3. The Age of Promise – Genesis 12:1-Exocus 19:4.
4. The Great Tribulation – Matthew 24:21.
5. The Future Kingdom Age – Matthew 25:34.
6. The Age of Innocence – Romans 5:12.
7. The Age of Law – Romans 5:20.
8. The Age of Grace – Romans 5:21.
9. Ages to Come – Ephesians 2:7; 3:5.

The Greek word for age is translated world 29 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Some examples of this are found in Matthew 13:39; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 9:26.

Antichrist

There are two meanings of the word antichrist. They are a literal meaning and a general meaning.

The literal meaning of antichrist is the man of sin or the son of perdition. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) This is a man who will

1. Declare himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
2. Set up worship of himself in the Jewish Temple located in Jerusalem. (Matthew 24:15)
3. Make a covenant with Israel that he will break. (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:8)
4. Be defeated at the Second Coming of Jesus and be cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. (Revelation 19:20; 20:10)

These events will begin during the Great Tribulation. They culminate before the Great White Throne Judgement.

The general meaning of the word antichrist is the spirit of antichrist. This is the spirit of error. (1 John 4:3,6) It

1. Denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
2. Does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. (1 John 4:3)
3. Will not hear the word of God. (1 John 4:6)

The spirit of antichrist speaks of the world and the world hears it. (John 3:31; 1 John 4:5)

Apostasy

The word apostasy means a falling away from. Persons who are apostates have fallen away from revealed truth after it has been received. Apostates are like the stony ground in the Parable of the Sower. (Mark 4:16,17; Luke 8:13)

Examples of apostasy from the scripture are persons who

1. Claim to know God, but deny Him by their actions. (Titus 1:16)
2. Do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. (2 John 9)
3. Depart from the faith. (1 Timothy 4:1)
4. Are unwilling to endure sound doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:3)
5. Forsake the right way. (2 Peter 2:15)
6. Turn from the holy commandment. (2 Peter 2:21)

Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord refers to the last one thousand years leading up to the Great White Throne Judgment. (2 Peter 3:8) This is the last day. (John 6:39,40,44)

The Day of the Lord is characterized by

1. The Catching Away of the Church.
2. The Great Tribulation.
3. The Second Coming of Christ.
4. The Judgment of the Wicked.

William Evans¹ distinguishes the Day of the Lord from the Day of Christ. He states the Day of Christ is characterized by

1. The Catching Away of the Church.
2. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

However, the Day of Christ is the same as the Day of the Lord. This is because the Day of the Lord begins with the Catching Away of the Church.