Verse 1

The work of managing mankind is

divided into three stages;

this means the work of man’s salvation is

also in three stages.

These three stages don’t include the work

of creating the world;

they’re the three stages of work of the Ages of Law,

of Kingdom and of Grace.

Verse 2

The work of creating the world was the work

of mankind’s creation,

not the work of saving man,

completely unrelated,

for when God created the world,

man hadn’t been corrupted by Satan.

So there was no requirement to carry out

the work of man’s salvation.

Chorus

The three stages of work are the inside story

of God’s management of man;

it’s the advent of the gospel for people of the entire universe,

it’s the greatest mystery to be found in the history of man,

it’s the foundation of the gospel being spread on earth.

Verse 3

God’s management of man began

from the work He did to save man.

The work of creation was not the beginning

of His management.

Only when mankind acquired

a corrupt disposition

did the work of management of mankind

come into existence.

Bridge

And so the work of management of man includes three parts.

It’s not four stages, it’s not four ages.

This is the only way to correctly refer to God’s management.

When the final age draws to a close,

the work of managing mankind will have come to its final end.

This means the work of saving mankind will be completely over,

and this phase for mankind will have been concluded.

Verse 4

As God’s creatures, you should clearly recognize

that it is by God’s hand, mankind’s created.

You should also recognize how man’s corrupted,

and how he is saved.

If you only focus on the simple truths about your own life,

missing this greatest mystery,

isn’t your life like a shoddy thing,

good for nothing but being seen?

Chorus

The three stages of work are the inside story

of God’s management of man;

it’s the advent of the gospel for people of the entire universe,

it’s the greatest mystery to be found in the history of man,

it’s the foundation of the gospel being spread on earth.

Adapted from “Knowing the Three Stages of God’s Work Is the Path to Knowing God” in The Word Appears in the Flesh