755. That the consummation of the age is the last time of the church, can be seen from those passages in the Word where it is spoken of, as in the following:
A consummation and decision I have heard from Jehovah upon the whole land (Isa. 28:22).
A consummation is determined, righteousness has overflowed, for the Lord Jehovah of Hosts is making a consummation and a decision in the whole land (Isa. 10:22, 23).
The whole land shall be devoured in the fire of Jehovah's jealousy for He shall make a speedy consummation of all them that dwell in the land (Zeph. 1:18).
In these passages "the land" signifies the church, because the land of Canaan is meant, where the church was. That "the land" signifies the church may be seen proven by many passages from the Word in the Apocalypse Revealed (n. 285, 902).
At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation, and even to the consummation and decision shall it drop upon the devastation (Dan. 9:27).
That these words were spoken by Daniel respecting the end of the present Christian church may be seen in Matt. 24:15:
The whole earth shall be a waste, yet will I not make a consummation (Jer. 4:27).
The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet consummated (Gen. 15:16).
Jehovah said, I will go down and see whether they have made a consummation according to the cry that is come unto Me (Gen. 18:21).
This was said of Sodom. The last period of the present Christian church is also meant by the Lord by the consummation of the age in the following passages:
The disciples asked Jesus, What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the consummation of the age? (Matt. 24:3).
In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, to burn them; but gather the wheat into My barn. So shall it be in the consummation of the age (Matt. 13:30, 39, 40).
In the consummation of the age the angels shall go forth and separate the wicked from the midst of the righteous (Matt. 13:49).
Jesus said to His disciples, lo, I am with you always, even unto the consummation of the age (Matt. 28:20).
It must be known that the meaning of "devastation," "desolation," and "decision" is similar to the meaning of "consummation;" but "desolation" signifies the consummation of truth, "devastation" the consummation of good, and "decision" the full consummation of both; also that "the fullness of time" in which the Lord came and is to come into the world means consummation.