4.1 Developments in the world
Both Jesus and the Apostles used the concept of ages of
time for the steps of history, each of which have their purpose to
fulfill.
The exact number of ages, however, is of secondary importance. The
main thing is that the division gives the presentation the necessary
structure. For example, the transitions between the various ages
comprise periods of judgment with great similarities. Sometimes the
ages overlap each other by up to 40 years.
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According to this perspective, we live today at the end of the sixth
age. All the evils which characterized the world's lifestyle in the earlier ages such as egoism, lawlessness, sexual promiscuity, spiritual blindness and empty religion are now allowed to fester and grow like a boil until its wickedness bursts forth.
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- Wickedness will reach its worst point during the "Antichrist's" time
on earth. Since the Antichrist derives his power and cunning from the
Devil, he will ultimately become the absolute opposite of Christ.
- God's judgement means that the dominion of the Antichrist will be
left to destroy itself, since God will have removed his protection over
humanity. Those who have chosen evil will then without restraint
annihilate one another.
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