Bridging the Gap between "Already" and "Not Yet"

by Jeff Hubing

For years I have used a diagram like the one above to help students and Christian leaders understand the complexity of the era in which we exist. It’s a visual illustration of how we experience the Kingdom of God as “already” present among us, but “not yet” fully manifest. When understood rightly, it explains both the hope and the frustration of living in the current age. And, ultimately, it captures the very real tension we experience between fulfilled promises and promises awaiting fulfillment. Thanks to Jim Simantirakis for this particular drawing, by the way!

The two horizontal lines represent two ages. The bottom line is the present age, which began at creation and continues to the present time. It is marked by the corruption that comes through sin, satanic scheming and human selfishness. Paul calls it “this present evil age” in Galatians 1:4. The horizontal line across the top represents the “age to come” – our future, joyful existence in God’s new creation. In our minds, it seems logical that the end of the first age should exactly mark beginning of the second age. Ancient Jews thought this way as well.

Jesus and the apostles taught something different from this, however. What they taught has to do with the two vertical lines in the diagram, which both represent key moments of divine intervention that re-shape the human story. The vertical line to the left represents the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. This complex of events, along with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, are responsible for inaugurating a new age even before the “present evil age” has fully run its course! The author to the Hebrews says that by the Spirit we have already “tasted…the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:5). Elsewhere, Paul writes that if anyone is in Christ, “new creation” has already taken place (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The vertical line to the right refers to the future, second coming of the Lord Jesus. Upon his return, the present evil age finally comes to an end, and we get to enter into God’s refashioned world – free from sin, death and corruption – to enjoy unending life in His presence. It represents the consummation of the Kingdom vision that is announced in the gospel.

The diagram ends up “framing” our existence in this “box” that is marked by the influence of both the corrupt, broken world system AND the powerful, life-giving reign of Jesus Christ. It provides a visual aid to explain why we experience such tension in our everyday lives – the ugliness, pain and grief caused by sin and the enemy, combined with the freedom, power and beauty of a redeemed life in the Kingdom.

It also provides a reason for mission. Mission exists because the “not yet” of the Kingdom vision will ultimately become reality. Mission exists because there is more Kingdom work to do in the “present evil age” before the Victorious Son rises from His throne and returns to earth. Mission exists because the consummation of the Kingdom depends on the fulfillment of God’s agenda in the present age. Only then will we inherit his “promise” of “new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

May we truly find ourselves “Here” and live for the “not yet” by the power of the “already”!