What is the Church Age and how does it relate to God's plan for history?

The Church Age is a unique dispensation in God's plan for history, revealed to Paul alone by the Holy Spirit. It is the period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ, during which the kingdom of God is entered by faith. The Church Age was not foreseen in the Old Testament prophecies, but rather it is a mystery that was hidden until its full revelation through Paul. This dispensation is characterized by the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer and the completed Word of God, which empowers the Church for its mission of evangelism and edification. The Church Age began at Pentecost and will continue until the Rapture, after which comes the seven-year Tribulation period known as the Day of the Lord. Finally, the kingdom restored to Israel will be established when Jesus returns to earth. This understanding of the Church Age is essential for grasping God's plan for history and our place in it.