The Jews distinguished between the present and a coming age (see Matthew 12:32; Matthew 13:39–40, Matthew 13:49; Matthew 24:3; Matthew 28:20; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Luke 20:35). The present age refers to life after the fall—a time in which there is sin and suffering, life subject to the sway of a wicked spiritual being (see Ephesians 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3). The coming age will be a time of righteousness and regeneration. The distinction between the two ages is formally stated in Ephesians 1:21.1 The rescue from the present world will be complete when the last trumpet is sounded and Christ returns in glory.2
4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,