1st Key or guiding rule of a Dispensation are the Universal Truths

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Chapter 4 First Key or Universal Principles of a Dispensation are the Universal Truths:

First, universal principles have a key place in dispensational understanding they are eternal even though they are revealed progressively in history and a dispensation for mankind's obedience. The way the principle is applied may change but not the principle. Universal principles are not to be missed in scripture connecting them and where they are found in every dispensation is important. The historical event around the principle needs to be taken into account and in doing so the learner will not become confused by applying it incorrectly to their present dispensation.

The Universal Truths are those which never change, they may not have been revealed in one of the earlier dispensations: but, just because they have not been revealed until God so chooses does not make them invalid to be universal and eternal. Many of them have a unique relationship to the dispensation in force opening man's understanding to them. Also universal principles do not change covenants but can change how they are carried our, (administered) or they give clarity to the managing, providing the guidance to bring about God's plan for the operating dispensation and future dispensations. When a universal truth is revealed the truth can be applied to ones life or accepted as a fact and one need to be sure they are being obedient in the caring out the rule according to the dispensation. The rules for carrying out the universal true may have changed with the dispensation.

Example from the material world and the Bible: God created animals - and in the first dispensation God did not distinguish between eating scavenger animal from the eating other animals, in fact animals were not in man's diet Genesis 1:24, 25 - then in the second dispensation, the Dispensation of Conscience He reveals the differences between clean and unclean animals, (before the Law of Moses), Genesis 7:2. In the Dispensation of Human Government which was latter, He said for the first time man could eat meat and were not to eat the animals with the blood, (before the law of Moses) Genesis 9:3, 4. After that, the Dispensation of Promise and the giving of the Mosaic Law, the Nation of Israel was only to eat clean animals as the new law prescribed, being called clean and unclean. Note, all scavenger were unclean, Leviticus 11, 20:25 and then latter in the Dispensation of Grace, He says one can eat all animals giving thank to God for the food, Colossians 2:16, Romans 14:1-23, Acts 10:9-16, 1 Timothy 4:3-6).

In each the regulation or imperative was a new rule given for a particular historical dispensation to be carried out but the universal truth of the animal being an animal never changed or the fact that some animals were created as scavengers to clean up the earth, every animal remain the way God created, (after its kind, Genesis 1:24,25).

Even though you find new revealed universal truth throughout the dispensations, all 7 Keys of the guiding principles will be in play for a dispensation to change. A dispensation does not change just because a universal principle was revealed as the dispensation progressed.

There is an inherent universal truth of importance which is above all others 'the one and only one God', Isaiah 43:10-12, 1 Timothy 2:5 who is the one who has established the eternal government and the administration which goes with it, Isaiah 42:5, 8, 44:24. We have seen there are seven administration, (dispensations) which are the administrations of God’s government from eternity past to eternity future revealed in the Bible.

God is working in the affairs of man to complete the Kingdom of God which is eternal. In His management, He is directing the eternal government by a dispensation in time which has an institution of stewards who are to provide the supervision in/for carrying out the dispensation or administration in the world we live; these stewards are ordained as His representatives*. There are law, rules, regulation, command, and controls, for the care or guardianship of the world and they are to provide protection and guidance of God's Word within the dispensation or administration. The end result is the redemption of believers and the offer of redemption for the one who rejects His atoning provision. The redemptive Covenant is a universal Covenant which covers all of God’s dealings of mankind throughout all the administrations. These things are universal truths working which have all come from God, Acts 17:24-28.

(*To be sure not to be missed understood I am not talking about a man made church, denomination or religious group but an institution which God established – family-head, Nation of Israel, the Body of Christ – (The Church of redeemed individuals), and Christ Jesus earthly rule with the redeemed of past ages and earthly Israel. There are only four ordained Stewardships revealed in Scripture corresponding to the dispensations.).

The universal truths are in keeping with God's character, (as He is and as He relates to us), He is one, moral - holy, righteous and just, he acts in love, mercy, grace, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, trust, faith, etc, Galatians 5:22,23.

Universal truths relate to His creation (example – ‘men’ will always be a man or a woman) and the charter of man (example - man is created eternal, mankind is responsible to trust God, be obedient, etc.),

The Universal Truths of God have always been true in God's nature. We can count on the fact that, 'God does not lie and can not sin', Hebrews 6:18. In His Holiness, and His nature, He will never mislead us into error, Titus 1:1-3, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 13:8. Error occurs when we our drawn away because of our own lust and we do not seek or study the truth of God revealed in His Word, James 1:14. When we study the Scriptures we will discover God's truths which are universal. Knowing universal facts about practical living, keeps and directs us away from sin and failures and we find hope and security for the future.

God has chosen to reveal universal truths, to man in a progressive, historical setting. We see them revealed according to His dispensations, as they unfold in scripture and the covenants given within the dispensations. There also, will be truths He will reveal or make clear in the future as He has predestined for man to know. Truth can be of the spiritual nature or scientific discovery; the truths are always in keeping with His nature, dispensational timing and they are revealed to man in His Word, the Bible and true science. His truths are not contradictory but show symmetry and order. There are eternal truths yet to be given to believers in eternity, in heaven believers will be learning new fact forever; however, today we are to know and handle correctly His Word as we live and as we are discovering the universal true's in it and not to violate holiness in our scientific endeavors.

One will see this progressive nature of a universal truth relating to the Redemptive Covenant. The incarnation of His Son', Galatians 4:4-6, at just the right time God sent forth His Son, made of a woman made under the law, to redeem and He has sent forth His Spirit'. We can see progression in the reveling of this universal truths about the Son of God in Scripture and history.

The Mosaic law we can see this progression revealed; it was added to the Dispensation of Promise in which the old covenant was already functioning, its revelation was over 1500+ years after creation, Galatians 3:19, Romans 2:12,14; 3:19-30; 4:13,14, 20. The Law was in God, it was revealed to Moses and given to the people and then fully implemented as the Nation of Israel progressed in establishing the Kingdom Nation in the land promised them and the development of the kingship rule.

The universal truth of faith, hope and love are forever characteristics in the workings of God and His nature. They are the fruits of the Spirit of God and are all inclusive in faith, hope and love, Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. We see them through every dispensation and find their relationship to salvation and when trusting faith is exercised, the correct relationship to God (the object), is found, Hebrews 11:6.

We find grace and mercy a universal truth in the character of God, Deuteronomy 4:31, Nehemiah 9:31, Isaiah 26:10, Jonah 2:7-9, John 1:16-17 and one needs to show grace and mercy in our dealings with others. We find the community of fellowship in the trinity and we are responsible to exercise a community within our family, church and the human race. These are only some of the universal principles which never change and as one studies the Bible they discover more to work out in different circumstances.

The Book of Proverbs is a good example of many universal truths.

The universal principle of having God first in everything and being thankful is a very important spiritual truth which brings God satisfaction or blessing on a fallen world. It opens the doors for His working in ones life and gives stability to a society. The number one commandment of God is to Love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul and mind, Matthew 22:36-38, Deuteronomy 6:5!

The universal truths of the family and the chain of command or leadership of a man and a supportive role of a women is a must for a healthy existence. God created the order and the help of a man and a woman fulfilling their roles to each other brings the ability to experience God's working and the future blessings on a society. Violations of the leadership order cause confusion and leads to all kinds of sin because it violates the universal reason of God's creation. Instead of teaching our women to usurp the leadership role of men, a society need to teach women the power of their role found in the supportive role. Men need to be taught to except the role of leadership and how to lead in love. Blessed relationship will be seen when this universal principle is exercised and children will grow up as responsible citizen and have the edge on the ability to accept God in their personal lives. Children have faith in their parents and parents are to love their children.

We hope others over us are responsible to exercise good and not evil. A steward of life whatever position they hold are to manifest Godly universal principles. All that we own or use our homes, car, and other material things belong to God and they are given to us by God to exercise these principles as we live life. Our work, play, and other leaser times are to exercise these truth given to us from God whom we are a created image of Him. We are created in the image of the eternal God in our responsibilities which is to reflected Him. Not that we will ever be God but a creation of His love and subordinate, as sons and daughters, trusting and obedient to Him.

And last, True science will not contradict God's universal truths for mankind. Ignoring God's eternal truths or changing them is wrong. Mankind is accountable and his morality will be judged for the sin and the misuse of God's holy universal standards, not on science. Therefore, evolution, abortion, homosexuality, atheist with their false religious teachings and any other moral principle that science concocted only show that science has compromised the truth and given mankind an excuse to denial God. Whenever, changing His truths we will be accountable in the end when God's Word will judge us and every knee will bow to Him, John 12:48, Revelation 20:11-15, Isaiah 45:18,22,23, Romans 14:11.