It means that the administration of this age is a complete unit, just as Tent worship was, and just as the Temple worship was that succeeded it. It also means that the current administration (at least as it stands) is temporary, awaiting further glorification — when God shall be all in all. Each administration was ‘absorbed’ by something more glorious. Even the 1000 years of Temple worship was split into two by the captivity, with Ezekiel’s Temple being more glorious than Solomon’s (it was made of flesh, ie. people).

We now know this current age is not a historical thousand years, so the number is a symbol. It denotes the beginning and the end of the church as a ‘new’ priesthood to the nations, referring to this practice of God in the Old Testament.

Hope that answers your question. If not, let me know. On the rule of the saints see:

http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/2009/09/24/big-government/

Cheers,
Mike

If you might be so kind as to answer the question you posed at the end of the post, I would be very much indebted to you (I still don’t get it…).

“So, based on these beginnings and endings, what does this number mean for the gospel age, governed from heaven by the Son of God and His ascended saints?”

Thanks.