But we speak wisdom from God in a mystery, the hidden [mystery], which God marked off beforehand before the ages unto a proper opinion of us, which none of the rulers of this age knew. For if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Corinthians 2:7–8.
The wisdom of the cross is not a wisdom that comes from man, nor the rulers of this age. In the plan of God, before the ages were made, the Godhead determined to mark off this wisdom as a mystery. He chose not to reveal this wisdom directly to intelligent beings until the appropriate time, when they could learn something about God through it.
An age is a period in which God shows something about Himself to intelligent beings. Before the renovation of the earth and the creation of man, there were at least three known ages. God created the spirit beings: Cherubim, Seraphim, and Angels, before He created the universe. In the first age, God created a home for the spirit beings to reside in (Job 38:7), showing his omnipotence. The second age occurred during Lucifer’s reign from Eden over the universe (Ezekiel 28:13–14). The third age was the chaotic period during which the earth was covered in water after Lucifer sinned (Genesis 1:2).
If Lucifer and his angels had known that crucifying Christ would bring about a level of glory and relationship between God and man that was beyond expectations, they would not have gone through with their plan. In his wisdom, Satan devised what he perceived would be a method to bring him victory by killing the Messiah, thereby thwarting the promise of God and bringing an end to Israel. A nation that was promised the land that once served as Satan’s throne.