“Aeonian times” are successive periods of aeons. In the Bible, these periods are distinguished because God fulfills His “purpose of the aeons” in them (Eph. 3:11). In other words, God works out His plan of salvation in the aeons.
Different aeons
There have already been several aeons (Eccl. 1:10). The aeon in which we now live is referred to as the present evil aeon (Gal. 1:4). This will be followed by the future aeon (Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30). The last aeon spoken of in Scripture is the aeon of the aeons (Eph. 3:21). This is the most exalted and glorious of all the aeons and therefore bears this superlative designation, comparable to expressions such as “the King of kings” and “the Holy of Holies.”
Two future aeons
Following the present aeon, two more aeons will follow. The Book of Revelation speaks specifically about these eras. Because they surpass the preceding aeons in glory and significance, they are collectively referred to as the aeons of the aeons. This expression appears no fewer than twelve times in Revelation (1:6, 18; 4:9, 10; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5).
However, this expression is not found in current Bible translations. It has been consistently “translated out.” Because the events in Revelation extend into the future aeons—the ages in which Christ reigns—these aeons are not only mentioned but also sung about in praise. It is precisely this character that is largely lost through translations.
Revelation 1 KJV
6 (…) To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever (unto the aeons of the aeons). Amen.
Revelation 5 KJV
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, heard I saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the dominion forever and ever (unto the aeons of the aeons).
distorted
In both verses, the original text contains the same expression: unto the aeons of the aeons. The Statenvertaling (State Translation) has twice changed the plural to the singular and also added the word “all”: for all eternity. The NBG translation uses two plurals, one plural, adds “all,” and translates as: “until all eternities.” However, this remains a curious formulation for the attentive reader, because how can there be multiple “eternities” if “eternal” meant infinite?
Plan of Salvation
Scripture teaches that God created the aeons (Heb. 1:2) and that He has a purpose spanning aeons (Eph. 3:11). This means that God works out His plan within successive eras. The Book of Revelation describes the most important aeons:
- the future aeon, in which Satan is bound (Rev. 20:1–3) and Christ establishes His Kingdom worldwide (Rev. 11:15)
- followed by the aeon of the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 20–21).
By omitting these aeons from the translation, the view of God’s purpose for the aeons is lost.