What does "powers of the coming age" mean in Hebrews 6:5? Setting the Context Hebrews 6:4-5 describes people who “have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, and who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age.” Each phrase builds on the previous one, culminating in “the powers of the coming age.” Unpacking “The Coming Age” • Scripture divides history into “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) and the “age to come” (Luke 18:30). • “The coming age” refers to Christ’s millennial kingdom and the eternal state that follows—an era marked by righteousness, resurrection life, and the visible reign of Jesus (Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-4). Defining “Powers” • Greek: dunameis—supernatural acts, mighty works, manifestations of divine authority. • In the Gospels and Acts, dunameis most often describes miracles that confirm God’s message (Matthew 11:20-23; Acts 2:22). • Therefore, “powers of the coming age” are foretastes—real experiences in the present—of the miraculous authority that will characterize Christ’s future kingdom. How Believers Taste These Powers Hebrews says believers “tasted” (experienced firsthand) these powers. Key ways: 1. Miracles of healing and deliverance (Acts 3:6-8; 5:12-16). 2. Gifts of the Spirit distributed to the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). 3. Resurrection power already at work in believers (Ephesians 1:19-20). 4. Victory over sin’s dominion (Romans 6:4-14). These experiences are not the fullness of the kingdom, but genuine samples—like appetizers heralding the main feast. Scriptural Snapshots of These Powers • Matthew 12:28: “If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Present miracles reveal future kingdom authority. • Romans 8:11, 23: The Spirit who raised Jesus dwells in us now, and we have “the firstfruits of the Spirit,” awaiting full bodily redemption. • 1 Corinthians 15:20-23: Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits”; believers share in that power even while awaiting the final harvest. • Hebrews 2:4: “God testified to it by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Same word dunameis links chapter 2 to 6:5. Why This Matters for Us Today • Assurance: Present experiences of God’s power verify the reality of the coming kingdom. • Expectation: We live with confident hope, knowing far greater glory lies ahead (Romans 8:18). • Stewardship: Gifts and miracles are to be used humbly to edify the body and point others to Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11). • Sobriety: Hebrews 6 warns that rejecting what we have tasted brings severe consequences; therefore, we cling to Christ and persevere (Hebrews 6:7-12). |
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