Chapter 17 - Dispensation of Grace (Equality)
The Dispensation which was a hidden mystery from the time of creation to the revealing in the mid-Act period in the first century after the death of Christ Jesus, which overlaid God's prophetic Dispensation with Israel.
It is important to see consistency in a dispensational understanding. Sometimes there has been an inconsistency with dispensationalist in their attempt to look for the unity or reconciliation of the Kingdom dispensation and the dispensation of Grace, (today's dispensation or administration). They will apply scripture directly relating to the Kingdom dispensation to the Body of Christ dispensation or vice-versa. They will say in one breath that Israel and the Church today are two different program and then use scriptural references which relate to the one but not the other, sometime out-right without an explanation and sometimes by spiritualizing the scripture, (Non-dispensationalist and covenant theology or replacement Theology are worse, they cannot even compare because of their inconsistencies and spiritualizing.) Dispensational studies can and should be consistent. Let us keep the two distinct as God intended in their uniqueness and yet be able to show their connection and unity by applying the scripture correctly. Let's get into the study.
Why was the Name for the Dispensation of Grace Chosen?
First reason is because the name was applied to the dispensation by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:1-2, ("For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you," NIV translation.) I like the KJV Translation which has been the translation for centenaries - "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:" The words administration and dispensation are synonyms and denote of the same meaning.
The word 'grace' does not mean that God's Grace is not a universal principle in God's character and it does not mean that the redemption of mankind has not always been based on God's grace, (see chapter on the salvation through the Bible). A equal aspect of the mystery of this dispensation is that God has included all mankind under sin and condemnation so that His mercy and grace can be offered to all on equal bases, Romans 11:28-32, Romans 3:23.
Prior to this dispensation, the gentiles were excluded from the covenants and promises of God, Ephesians 2:11-19. Because it was their pending judgment since the Tower of Babel, Ephesians 2:1-3; instead of a worldwide flood - God laid the world aside from direct communication and deals through Abraham and his decedents. Offering salvation to those who blessed Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3 and his descendants, that is as long as Abraham descendants were a blessing holding to Jehovah God, Deuteronomy 29-30. (The blessing and cursing given in Genesis 12:1-3 to Abraham go beyond his earthly decedents and refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:15-16. His promise is absolute and his descendants promise was conditional with a provision for repentance.)
If a gentile was to be saved in the former dispensation they had to receive God's grace offered to them through the stewardship of Nation of Israel and become a proselyte according to the Dispensation of Promise's rule for gentiles, (It is worth saying God Grace saved a remnant of gentiles while Israel was in operational covenant relation just as He is saving a remnant of Israelites in today's dispensation, Isaiah 56:1-8 cf. Romans 11:1:5, Romans 9:27, 28).
The aspect of the grace shown in this Dispensation of Grace is equality. This is the reason I like to call or use the word equality when describing this dispensation. The revealed truth of God shows quit plain it is a dispensation with equality, Galatians 3:28, Romans 3:22, Romans 10:12. By putting all mankind under the same condemnation God could once again offer salvation to the world without a particular nation or people. Truly this dispensation can be call the Dispensation of Grace because of the offer of salvation to all mankind on the bases of the New Covenant with Christ Jesus' finished work for redemption. No human can say it is because of us we were saved - one is saved on the truth of the work of God in Jesus Christ, 1 John 5:9-14. Whether you bless an individual or nation it will not make you closer to the truth of the finished work of Christ. (A note here would be: that in the future tribulation and dispensation God will work again through the Nation of Israel to the world's subjects.)
The Mystery Dispensation of Equality
The Jewish leaders of the Pharisees who believed had a confusing time accepting Gentiles on the bases of the New Dispensation and their rejection as the steward Nation to deliver the message of the Gospel. It is shown by their Jewish slant of the Law of Moses which they for generations were they had put much of their religious practice and now did they did not want to accept the change even as Christians, Act 15:5, "--Pharisees which believed--- commanded to keep the Law of Moses", 15:1,2. Acts 10:45, '- and they of the circumcised which believed were astonished --- that the Gentiles received---the gift of the Holy Spirit', Acts 21:19.
In Acts 21:24,25 we do not have to speculate as to why Paul took the Nazarite Vows and offered sacrifices under a dying Dispensation, if we understand transitions from the old dispensation to the new where we see one corrupt and diminishing and the other getting stronger taking the place of the the former. Here we see the residue of the Dispensation of Promise and see the same type of event happening as we saw in the transition between the Dispensation of Human and the Dispensation of Promise with the recorded history of Balaam the disobedient, corrupted prophet from coming the former dispensation. One may ask were the thousands of believer and James when Paul was taken away from the mob who were going to kill him - again showing a time of Jewish leadership and their reluctance to give way to the new dispensation in the transition from one to the other.
The Church administration today is a parenthesis/overlay which was a mystery between the 69th and 70th week spoken about in Daniel, (Daniel 9:24-27).
The mystery was revealed fully to the apostle Paul, (Ephesians 3:1-12; Romans 16:24-27; Colossians 1:25-28, Acts 10:15, 15:13-19, 22:18-21) after Israel as a Nation rejected the offer of the Kingdom and the Truth which Jesus Christ gave for salvation. The Nation of Israel is not the mouth piece of this dispensation for they have been laid aside until the Rapture and the seven year tribulation begins, which is the wrath of God on the failure of Israel and unbelieving Gentiles of this dispensation, which extends to the whole non-believing world, Romans 10-11, Isaiah 13, Revelation, Joel 2:9-11,28-32, Acts 2:19-21.
The Nation of Israel was given the opportunity to be the dispensers and leaders of the New Covenant but they did not follow through as God's people, Acts 3:17-26. God's chosen people Israel, as a Nation were finally rejection spiritual, with the stoning of Steven in Acts 7.
In Act 7 Steven a man filled with the Holy Spirit gave a sermon to the leaders (Acts 6:5-15) of Israel which recounting their history and their rejection of God (Acts 7:2-53). Israel first rejected God the Father as He ruled through prophets, priests and kings in the Old Testament, Isaiah 64:8, Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 63:16. The division of the Nation and apostasy led to their captivity. The second rejection was the incarnation of God the Son in the Gospels by hanging Him on the cross, John 3:10, Acts 3:26, 4:8-12. The final rejection was that of the Holy Spirit by not repenting as a Nation and rejecting the message they were to deliver to the world preaching the acceptance of forgiveness through the New Covenant. With their stoning of Steven in Acts 7:51-60 the judgment of being laid aside as a Nation was complete to bring today's dispensation in operation, starting the mystery transition between today's dispensation and the Promise Dispensation, Acts 7:51-56, 13:45,46, 18:6, 28:25-28. Keeping the two transition clear we need to be sure we understand how today's dispensation was a mystery and certain rules that are unique or distinguishes a dispensational change, Review chapters on the 7 key or principle of a dispensation change and the chapter on the transition of a dispensation.
The Dispensation of Promise was in operation ever science Abraham, and continuing with Moses receiving the Law, the Kingdom of the Nation of Israel, the life of the Lord Jesus and through the Day of Pentecost. The promise experienced under Israel's leadership is ended and in transition through today's dispensation which overlays Israel's final chastening Acts 7-28. The Dispensation of Grace overlays the Nation of Israel's leadership or stewardship role to the world. The Nation of Israel's failure (in the Acts period), would have started the Tribulation period but it was postponed by God, the postponement will continue until today's dispensation fails and the Rapture of the Church call His Body occurs. With the Rapture, the transition of the future tribulation starts, this is the transition into the new dispensation, the Dispensation of the Kingdom.
The tribulation will be the judgment of all nonbelievers and the salvation of the remnant of Jew's which will become the true Israelite Nation going into the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ hear on earth. During this time there will be a unknown number of Gentiles saved along with the Jewish remnant but these Gentiles believers will have a subordinate relationship to the Jewish remnant and the remnant will have the command of stewardship to the world, Revelation 7, 14.
The punitive Judgment or tribulation on the Nation of Israel and the world will restart with the Rapture of the believers of today's dispensation and the punitive judgment will be completed with the Day of the Lord ending 70 week of Daniel. The tribulation is the transition from the dispensation of Promise to the Dispensation of the Kingdom. Also, the tribulation is the transition between today's dispensation and the Dispensation of the Kingdom. The tribulation Judgment is the punitive Judgment on both dispensation for the failure of obedience and apostasy. By the postponement God showed His Longsuffering and the greatness of His mercy and grace to all mankind. How appropriate He would call today's dispensation The Dispensation of Grace where all mankind is equal in approaching God through the redemptive covenant or New Covenant, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 2 Peter 3:9, John 3:16.
Their hostility towards the truth which Steven was preaching led them to stone him and we see Jesus Christ standing in heaven in judgment of the Nation, Acts 7:51-60 (the standing position or rising up shows a position or a call for judgment, (see; Amos 9:1, Psalms 109:30,31, Psalm 7:6, Psalm 17:13, Psalm 44:26, Isaiah 14:22, Isaiah 28:21). Israel's rejection as a Nation caused them to be set aside until the Rapture, (see Acts 3:12-4:28; & chapter 7). Acts 28 represents historically 70AD when they went into captivity and are awaiting the tribulation period. With Israel being blinded as a nation, only a remnant is being saved under today's dispensation, Romans 9:27, 28.
Non-prophesied overlay, parentheses on the providential rule of Israel
The Body of Christ, the church of today is a non-prophesized program which was a overlay and is a delay in the fulfillment of the judgment (70wks of Daniel) on Israel and the world. Israel as a Nation rejected being the dispensers of the New Covenant and rejected their responsibility in the implementation of the New Covenant to the world as Acts recorded the developments. Many Bible scholars have explained the hidden or mystery dispensation as a parentheses dispensation, a inserted into time by God, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:24-27, Romans 16:24,25. In the definition below 'interval' best describes it with the word 'inserted' because the Dispensation of the church was inserted into God's prophesied dealings with man and His program with Israel has been broken into until the Church called His body is complete, Romans 10,11. See charts showing the breaking into the prophetic program with Israel, and in the middle of the two is today's dispensation.
Click on them to see
The Body of Christ is an Overlay describing the aspect where in today's dispensation the judgment on Israel, or the 70th week of Daniel has been postponed. Israel is still God's chosen nation and people but are experiencing a blindness because of their rejection waiting the tribulation judgment, Romans 10,11, Acts 13:46-48, 18:4-6, 28:28.
Even though they are laid aside as a Nation right now there are still individual Israelite being saved but in relationship to today's dispensation not the Kingdom dispensation where they hold a National covenant relationship in receiving the promises of an earthly Kingdom as promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Romans 11:28. Individual Israelites or Jews whose have put their faith in the gospel truths are part of the Body of Christ, the church as equals to everyone else who receive Jesus Christ. Today the Gentiles can rejoice and have peace with God because of God's mercy and grace to them along with those Jewish saints which have gone before; it is sad that the Nation of Israel, as a whole rejected their position God wanted for them but it's our joy that salvation is offered to us now on equal bases, Romans 15:7-13, Colossians 1:27.
At this point remember the New Covenant or redemptive covenant covers both dispensations as well as everyone since the beginning of mankind and will last for eternity. The word 'inserted' describes the new dispensation inside the prophesied program of God (Dispensationalist call it the parentheses dispensation), and it will be the operating dispensation until the Rapture. All mankind are under the administration of today's dispensation and the guiding principles.
By describing today's program only as a 'parentheses' weakens the truth because today's program is not 'a secondary matter of importance', today's dispensation is one of the highest privilege and callings a person can be born - we are part of Jesus Christ's body not as subject under a Kingship governing relationship. This does not mean that Jesus Christ is not the eternal King, He is and always will be. Our Lord is the Head and King no matter if you are a subject of His kingship or a member of His Body; He is still God over all, Psalm 103:18-20, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Psalm 45:5-7, Hebrews 1:8, Colossians 1:12, 18,19, Ephesians 1:22, 23, 1 John 5:18-20, believers today will share in the Kingdom but today they have a special position of grace called members of His Body, Ephesians 3, Colossians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 5:5, 2 Timothy 4-1.
Definition:
Inserted - place something inside something, to put something inside something else.
Parentheses - marks enclosing a matter of secondary importance, (****).
Interval - something that acts as a pause or break in something
Overlay – a transparent sheet containing additional detail that is placed on top of another graphic.
The transition from Promise to Grace includes, the implementation of the New Covenant which already started at Act 2, and after Act 7 it is applied to a new dispensation, the Dispensation of Grace. In the transition period to the Dispensation of Grace starting right after the stoning of Steven and runing to the end of the Acts period when the fall and laying aside of National Israel was complete, (Acts 28 representing 70AD in history), Romans 11:8-13, Acts 13:46-48, 18:4-6, 28:28.
After Acts 28 the Dispensation of Grace was in full operation and Israel's Kingdom offer is postponed and overlaid with today's Dispensation, the Dispensation of Grace and it will continue until the Rapture. The Rapture proceeds the seven year tribulation judgment of Daniel's 70 weeks.
The seven year tribulation is the judgment for two dispensations, the dispensations of Promise and Grace. The tribulation period is also the punitive judgment on the world which was postponed ever since the Tower of Babel. Therefore, before the tribulation period starts the Rapture of the Church the Body of Christ will occur where believers are called up to heaven, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 . In the rapture we will experience the full redemption of our body, being given our glorified bodies with all the saints back in time to Adam and Eve, (See chapter on the rapture). Then after the rapture of the Body of Christ, God will pick-up with the Israelite prophetic program where he left off in the mid-Acts period, Romans 11:25.
The Makeup of the Human subjects of the Dispensation of Grace
The makeup of this dispensation as stated above is for all the condemned and out of the condemned come the save who have been transformed, regenerated being born again. Those who have put their faith in the revealed truths of God's word for redemption, revealed in His work in Christ Jesus alone, Acts 10:43, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Timothy 4:10 are the foreknown saints of today, Romans 8:29, (see chapter on Salvation, Our Personal Existence and Birth).
Those redeemed are said to be members of Christ Jesus' body and members with each other, Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18, Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 10:16,17, 1 Corinthians 12:27 (study whole 12th chapter of Corinthians), Ephesians 2:16, 3:6, Ephesians 5;30, 2 Corinthians 4:10, Colossians 2:19, 3:15. Believers today are not His literal body but the redeemed subjects are called His body, subjects of obedience (function) in His body and called members. Members representing Him here on earth for this dispensation and responsible to propagation the Gospel, 2 Corinthians 5:18-23. In contrasted to The Dispensation of Promise or the Kingdom on earth, the redeemed in them were/are subject of a Kingdom and obedient to the kingdom as representatives of the King and Lord. There is no other dispensation in scripture that the subjects are call or identified as Christ Jesus Body, the 'called out assembly' or church.
In this dispensation today the redeemed are to live as if we were literally Christ Jesus walking around. This is a very high calling which will never be achieved but we are call to strive spiritually for the Holiness of Jesus Christ as the messenger of reconciliation, Romans 8:12,13, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 1:4. We are responsible not just to give forth the message of reconciliation to the world but be reconciled in our morals. We are to live a life of righteousness and holiness, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 10:14, 12:14, 1 Peter 1:14-16, see Holy.
The Rapture
Also see chapter on the Rapture -The Meeting in the Sky
A aspect of the mystery not revealed before which cover the resurrection of all believers sense the beginning of the world. You cannot find the rapture teaching before the Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote the truth.
The Dispensation of Grace ends with the Rapture. The Rapture is when believers are taken from earth to be with Christ Jesus forever. This will be accomplished by being caught up in the clouds with Jesus Christ when He descends from heaven in the clouds, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Jesus Christ does not at this time set His foot here on earth as He will at His second coming to earth to set up his earthly Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation period, (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:6-11, Revelation 1:7).
The rapture truth is part of 'the mystery hid in God before the foundations of the earth' and 'was hid' until this dispensation was given through the apostle Paul. Just as the beginning was hid and not prophesied, so will the end be hidden therefore we are to be ready at any moment, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Corinthians 5, I Corinthians 15:20-24
(There has been resurrections mentioned in the Bible but those being resurrected were not resurrected into glorified bodies but natural bodies which died again, for example in Matthew 27:51-56 and Lazarus. Christ Jesus was first resurrected into His glorified body, then those in the Dispensation of Grace who are in Christ Jesus the mystery resurrection and then the end comes with His coming which covers the tribulation to the end of Christ's Reign. The saints killed by martyrdom in the tribulation will be transformed at the beginning of the Dispensation of the Kingdom and called the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-7. The saint of the 1000 years are transformed into their spiritual glorified bodies at the end of the 1000 years [If I am wrong in my understanding of the time of the resurrection of the saints of the Old Testament with the rapture or the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation then this would be the time for their resurrection because it was in prophecy, were the mystery dispensation resurrection is not in prophecy.] also the non-believers are resurrected at the end of the dispensation of the earthly Kingdom and are eternally sent to the Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:11-15.).
The subjects of the Dispensation of Grace who have been redeemed will judge men and angels in the Kingdom period along with the Old Testament saints, 1 Corinthians 6:2-3. The Old Testament saint looked forward to the reign of Christ this is a reason to believe they will be resurrected either at the rapture as part of the mystery or at the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation with the martyred saint of the tribulation. However, all the redeemed saints of today will take part in the Lord's earthly Kingdom according to the promise give them. At the rapture all saints will be transformed into their spiritual-body both living and dead saints, they will be united with their transformed body, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Philippians 3:21. All saints have this hope along with saint which have gone before today dispensation who will be resurrected at their appointed time. This rapture truth is part of the mystery hid in God before the foundation of the earth. The timing of the rapture with the resurrection was not known to the saints of other dispensations, they only knew they world experience a resurrection of their bodies and participation in the earthly Kingdom. (In latter chapters we will discuss the roles and responsibility of the resurrected saints according to the promise given them during the earthly Kingdom.) The saints of other dispensations are not the subject of His Body Church of today.
Rapture
There is a misunderstanding out there that the pre-tribulation rapture is based on “two purposes of God.” One purpose is said to be “heavenly” and the other “earthly.” This is a wrong understanding of the working of God in the History of mankind. God has always sought to save man and the dispensation which was in operation historically at the time of their life was the dispensation that He reconciled the person to Himself, when reconciled the individual receive salvation and a purpose in eternity according to the promises given or revealed in the dispensation in which they lived. Heaven will not be divided but an operating organism of God's working and individuals will be carrying out their responsibility as a reward of their personal life they lived here on earth which accrued after salvation.
" At the rapture no believer will be left behind (non-believers) and out of the ones left behind whether Jew or Gentile some will accept Jesus Christ as savior and during this time the completion of the Dispensation of Promise will be experienced. The completion of the 70 week of Daniel's prophecy and during its fulfillment the Nation of Israel will be back in covenant relationship setting the stage for the completion of God's working to set up His earthly Kingdom as promised to Israel and David for 1000 years and then the eternal kingdom. Earthly cannot inherit the eternal Kingdom of God without the transformation of spirit, soul, and body and this only happens when the earthly dispensations are competed going into the final and eternal dispensation of The Fullness of Times. This is after the Great White Throne Judgment revealed in Revelation 20. Also out of those left behind after the rapture, those who will be saved will be the one who populate the 1000 year millennium, for no non-believer enters the 1000 year millennium. Those who follow Satan at the end of the 1000 years are the children born from believers who still have the chose to accept Jesus Christ as savior but reject Him and His reign. Also those living during the 1000 years have a longer life span restored but those who reject Jesus Christ during this time will die by the age of 100, and because the non-believer still have a long life many children will be born who will either accept or reject God's way of salvation. Just like today parent have a great influence on their children and the child's eternal influence for the saving of their soul. It is sad when error is taught but when the word of God does reveal dispensational truths, it become an error when one say on one hand dispensational teaching does not exist and yet admit Paul taught it by identifying at least two. The Church called the Body of Christ is not spiritual Israel, God will fulfill his promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jacobs sons, David and Christ himself as King here on earth. God will fulfill His dispensational truth for the Body of Christ with the ending of this dispensation with the rapture. This dispensation Paul revealed was a mystery not prophesied and it will end with the mystery of the rapture as revealed in Scripture.
An Existing Organism:
The Dispensation of Grace as a dispensation is not being added to the Dispensation of the Kingdom on earth or the dispensation of the former dispensation of Promise but it becomes New by its existence, called the Body of Christ here on earth and is God administration today and is the extension here on earth of the Heavenly Eternal Kingdom of God.
The believers today are being added to the eternal called out assembly (church) but the Dispensation is not the eternal assembly but part of it. When scriptures say we are added to an existing assembly of believers (church, the Greek word ekklesia) it is referring to the universal church or called out assembly not to a different dispensation (Dispensation of Promise or Kingdom Dispensation) or becoming spiritual Israel. Because dispensationalist have put too much of their teaching on the word church and by them not making the distinction they have caused confusion.
Whenever you read church (a called out assembly) you need to ask what church - the non-believing assembly, the church of Israel, the church in the wilderness, the Body of Christ or what called out assembly. Basing a teaching on this word 'church' alone can and has led to wrong conclusions,
"II. THE USES OF THE WORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
If the word “church” has to do with an assembled group, then different uses of the concept in the New Testament should tell us (a) what is the character or nature of the group assembled, and (b) what are the focus and reasons that draw that particular assembly together.
Here the group was composed of heathen people whose reason for assembling was to exercise a political privilege. The citizens of this free city had the right to meet in a legislative assembly, which they did three times a month. But this occasion was an illegal assembly on which Rome would not look kindly; hence the town clerk’s urgency to dismiss the people.
B. Acts 7:38
Here the group were Israelites assembled to receive God’s Law through Moses. The spiritual character of this group was mixed—some personally and individually rightly related to God and some not. Of course, all were related to Him in the sense that God had chosen the nation, but this alone did not guarantee the spiritual salvation of each person. This national calling was the reason for the gathering at the base of Mt. Sinai.
Here the assembly is the church which is Christ’s body. The character of this group is 100 percent regenerated, and the reason for its existence is the baptizing ministry of the Spirit which places those who believe into this body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). This church is universal, including every believer in every place on earth and those who are in heaven (Heb. 12:23). Strictly speaking, the church is not invisible for many of its members are quite visible. A better designation is the universal church.*
D. Romans 16:8; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2
Here are groups of people very much localized—churches in houses. The nature of the people (at least in New Testament times) would have been those who professed to have accepted Christ as Savior. In some instances those who only professed but who did not possess salvation would have been associated with local churches (1 John 2:19; Rev. 3:20), but to be Christian churches, the people would have had to make a Christian profession.
What were the foci of these local churches? One was geographical. Another was that profession of faith in Christ. Another was the practice of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Another was the exercise of group responsibilities, like teaching." Basic Theology, Victor Books, P.O. Box 1825, Wheaton, Illinois 60189.
*(Note: under point 'C' on Ephesians 1:22-23 we see a wrong application after making a correct one and if accepted would leave the impression that the heavenly believers are the Body of Christ but this is not the case. Those saved under different dispensation retain their unique calling. After this dispensation is over there will be no one added to the Body of Christ which function only on earth before the rapture. After the rapture those believers will be added by their presence to the universal assembly in the eternal Kingdom in Heaven and those on earth it will relate to the Nation of Israel and the Dispensation of the earthly Kingdom. Those believer on earth then will be subjects of a Kingdom not the Body of this dispensation. The context of the passage say Christ is the head of all thing relating, to the Head of the Body of Christ as well as to the Head of the earthly Kingdom and to the Head of the eternal Kingdom but today's Dispensation which is in operation is not to take away from the uniqueness of the promises given to believer of the other dispensations. Just as the word church needs to be clarified before application the use of head need to be applied correctly. If a word is to define today's dispensation the word Body and the connection with the words the church and the head needs to be seen and studied with more clarity.)
The language used in the Pauline writings state that the Gentiles were added to the called out assembly, resulting not in the program given to Israel but is a program called a New Creation. When you take the triad - the thesis and antithesis you get the synthesis that is a new proposition. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The triad is usually described in the following way:
1. The thesis is an intellectual proposition.
2. The antithesis is simply the negation of the thesis, a reaction to the proposition.
3. The synthesis solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths, and forming a new proposition.
Example for lay believers: Take a glass of clear water and add a glass of ink and you get a new solution. With the new solution you have properties carried over from each element with resemblances of the former elements in their purity but making a change.
By adding Gentiles with Israel in this new organism which relate to the New Covenant changes the existing organism. It became a new mystery organism, also called 'one body' by this addition or a new Dispensation, Galatians 6:15, Colossians 3:10, 11, Ephesians 2:14-18, Romans 9:22-33, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 3:6, Hebrews 2:11. We see in the Pauline writings all seven of the Key Principles revealed governing a change of dispensation, (See chapter on the keys or principle of a dispensation).
Remember a covenant is not a dispensation or a dispensation is not a covenant but there is a connection between the two where a covenant can and does functions in other dispensation at times. Remember there is only one redemptive covenant that transcends, goes beyond one dispensation to the next and the study of the application is important. Also make sure you take into account the facts which make a change to a dispensation (see 7 key) and do not base the change on one word or words alone.
Example to help in understanding: take water (Israel) and salt (gentiles), which are two different element and in their respective state unique but when you add salt to the water you get a different element called saltwater both together become one, (The Body of Christ the church of today is made up of all mankind equal and equal in responsibility to God.).
First to believe - the covenant not a dispensation - Acts 3:26, Acts 13:46, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 1:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:1, Hebrews 10:8, added Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47, Acts 5:14, included Ephesians 1:13, to be developed
The Bride of Christ
Israel is identified as God's wife, from birth He espoused her to Himself. She rebelled but in the end restored as His wife and possession in a special relationship, Ezekiel 16. The Bride of Christ does not seem to be the Church called His Body unless one say God has two wives. If one says God has two wives it would violate the universal principle of one man and one wife from the beginning of creation and confirmed to the Pharisees by Jesus Christ in the gospels, Matthew 19. The accrual word the Bride of Christ is not used in scripture but the Apostle John does identify our Lord Jesus Christ as the Bride Groom in John 3:27-35, the connection with Revelation 21 needs to be studied with the following truths taken into account, outside of this passage it become spiritualizing or conjecture and I believe if you follow the truth revealed there is a better and consistent explanation in which the Holy Spirit was trying to reveal.
Revelation 21 tells us about the New Jerusalem after the millennium, after the new heaven and the new earth become a reality fulfilled, when all who have been saved and overcome sin by being in Christ and the New Jerusalem is the topic. This must include redeemed Jews and Gentiles from every age or dispensation from every nation, tribe, people, and language. The true Bride of Christ is Israel and the Body of Christ united together in marriage for all eternity. This aspect revealed in the Dispensation of Grace which was a mystery is now revealed - that the Church called His Body would unites together in eternity with an earthly kingdom call His wife or Israel. Another way to help explain this mystery is - in the Old Testament the Body truth was not made Known but in God's timing He reveals that an organism call His Body would unit with the organism called His chosen People, Israel and their marriage would be the eternal relationship completed.
Christ gives His Name to His Bride Israel saints and Body saints, the New Jerusalem of, Revelation 2:9-10, 11-27 (The redeemed will be rapture from the beginning of time which is part of the mystery ending the Dispensation of Grace. The time of the resurrection and the event know as the rapture resurrection was not before revealed to Old Covenant saints, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16, 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, 12-50, 2 Corinthians 5.
Yes the Old Covenant saints new that they would be resurrected but did not know the time or the event call the rapture which was revealed in the Dispensation of Grace, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:13, Mark 12:25, Luke 20:37, John 5:29, 11:24.).
The Redeemed at the marriage feast of the Lamb is the uniting of the heavens and earth with the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven, Revelation 21:27. The Ephesians 5:22-33 passage used to try and make the Body of Christ exclusively apart from God's dispensational program which went before and after us is not complete or correct, the passages on the bride of Christ need to be read again and it would be plan the Ephesians 5:22-23 passage is addressing that purity of a marriage relationship of purity, obedience and oneness with order for both parties in marriage. This passage also could be applied to the Gentiles to accept the Israelite people as one with them. This is what the marriage fest of Revelation is all about where all mankind become unified with each other as the marriage of two individual.
The Bride Groom is Christ Jesus Revelations 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his (singular) bride has made herself ready."
Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees refer to His disciples being guess of the Bridegroom; the context of the writing is Israel, the Dispensation of Promise.
(Mark 2:19, 20, Luke 5:34, 35)
Matthew 9:15 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast
It says the virgins were responsible to be ready (The dispensers or stewards of each dispensation respectively) for the bridegroom when He comes, again it does not say the virgins were the bride however further study shows it could mean corporately as an organism.
Matthew 25:1-10"At that time the kingdom of heaven (Eternal Kingdom, The Dispensation of the Fullness of Time) will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise, (possible believers/non-believers from: the dispensations of [1] Innocence, [2] Conscience, [3] Human Government, [4] Promise Grace, and [5] Earthly Kingdom). The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' “‘No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.”
John refers to himself as being sent ahead of the bridegroom. It sounds as if he considers himself an attendant which announces the bridegroom. All believers carry the same responsibility to the world. The five wise virgins exhorted the foolish one to be ready but they refused.
John 3:27-30"To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride (Singular) belongs to the bridegroom. The friend (those steward proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ) who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."
If the following passage is speaking about the bride of Christ, it is the time after the millennial reign. The Holy City of the New Jerusalem and is referred to as the Bride. It sounds like the two became married all the redeemed of mankind with God from all dispensations from Adam and Eve to the Last person saved when the 1000yr millennial is completed.
Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride (Singular again) beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
If there is any doubt that the Holy City of Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ the the following passage should convince the skeptic the bride is a corporate dwelling of the redeemed since the beginning of time.
Revelation 21:9-10 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
The meaning has to be more than a building because non-animate objects cannot speak but we see the following passage say the Bride speak as does the Spirit.
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Acts 7 the Nation of Israel rejected because of their rejection of the massagers as a Nation, rejecting the Holy Spirit the key catalyst for accepting the New Covenant.
1. Note the time since Jesus death and resurrection and the shot time period.
2. Note the fact of Steven being filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Note who the audience being addressed
4. Note up to this time the offer of the dispensing agent being the Nation by the apostles addressing the Leaders of Israel
5. Note from here on the offer is no more given to the Nation but is withdrawn setting up the transition into the next dispensation. And the offer withdrawn and given to the Gentile church the Body of Christ.
6. Note the first Gentile being saved and the Apostles to the Gentiles being saved and commissioned, by God and by the Jewish believers and Apostles.
7. Galatians 3:8
Pg brought forward to be sure information is incorporated
Dispensation of Equality {Grace}
The Administration rules: New Covenant Acts 2, 13, 15
Scriptures: Romans through Hebrews - However, remember that all scripture is for our learning about ourselves, God creation, God and His nature.
Beginning: After Israel’s rejection Acts 7. Acts 8, 9, 10 historically happen at the same time or are overlapping events which accrue over a shot time - maybe a day or week.
Setting: The whole world, all approach God through the finished work of the Cross under the New Covenant. The New Covenant started at Acts 2 however, this dispensation stated after Israel rejected the Holy Spirit in Act 7.
Dealings: All mankind on equal bases. Man's salvation is not dependent upon the Nation of Israel or the remnant who were the dispensing instrument but on today's dispensing institution the local church and on individual response to the gospel. The New institution is called the Body of Christ and God is working throw all believers.
Failure: Apostasy, and failure to carry out the commission will bring this dispensation to an end. Also Romans seem to allude to the pride of Gentiles over His beloved Israel.
Judgment: The Tribulation period or 70th week of Daniel will be the judgment. This will run parallel with the judgment which God for longed to happen in Act 7 for rejection of the Holy Spirit by Israel.
Transition: Into this dispensation was from Acts 8 through 28 and the end transition to God's next dispensation will be from the Apostasy to the Rapture (any moment catching away) of the Body of Christ or the church today.
One of the important truths of this dispensation is the relationship between Israel and the Gentile. Up to this time Israel played the key role in the dispensing of God's program but now it will be the local church of all race, color and nationalities. In God’s prophetic plan, salvation was to go to the Gentles throw the Nation and remnant and Gentiles were to be subordinates.. In this dispensation the Gentiles will not be subordinate to Israel in regards to salvation or God. However when the Tribulation time starts, after the rapture then the prophetic relationship will take effect again. God and Israel will be working to bring about the 70th week of Daniel and the Millennial Reign or Kingdom on earth. The Body of Christ is Gods representative today in the world and will be raptured out before the 70th week begins. The uniqueness of the Body of Christ or the church today is the equality of the Jew and Gentiles showing that Nationality sex or color makes no difference in God's call and responsibility. Both have to come to salvation through the cross, both have equal access to God's saving power, both have the same responsibility to the other for preaching and teaching the Word of God, and both our included in the future covenants and promises. One unique difference that our future relationship with all saints after the rapture will be in glorified bodies not ones of flesh and blood as we have today. Yes, the great and unsearchable uniqueness is equality, this was the mystery hide in God before the foundation of the world and revealed through the Apostle Paul. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles and his message was confirmed to Israel that God was working a new program when Peter went to Cornelius and it was confirmed at the Jerusalem counsel.
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The church today is identified as The Body of Christ, (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23, 29-32; Colossians 1:18, 24; I Corinthians 12:27). The Dispensation of Equality best describes this dispensation since God has always showed grace to man. The uniqueness of this administration of God is equality and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to all who receive Jesus Christ as LORD AND SAVIOR, and the message of the New Covenant is dispensed by individuals and not a Nation of special people, (Colossians 1:26,27; Ephesians 2:-3:6; Acts 15:8-10; Romans 3:21-31; 10:12,13; Galatians 3:28,29). The Dispensation of equality or the church today began with Israel as a Nation being laid aside and will end with the Rapture. The equality given to all is revealed as the book of Acts is unfolded which reveals the rejection by Israel of leadership of the New Covenant and the Nation being rejected by God as the dispensing mouth piece.
The Church administration today is a parenthesis which was a mystery between the 69th and 70 week spoken about in Daniel, (Daniel 9:24-27).
The mystery was revealed fully, (Ephesians 3:1-12; Romans 16:24-27; Colossians 1:25-28) after Israel rejected the last offer of the Kingdom.
This spiritual rejection accrued by the National Israel in Acts 7. Here we see Steven speaking to the leaders (V.1) of Israel recounting their history and their rejection of God (2-53). Israel rejected God the Father as He ruled through prophets, priests and kings in the Old Testament. and they rejected the incarnation of God the Son in the Gospels by hanging Him on the cross, and now rejecting Him by rejecting the offer of forgiveness through the New Covenant and the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit. Their hostility towards the truth which Steven was preaching led them to stone him and Jesus Christ standing in heaven in judgment of the Nation, (the standing position shows a position of judgment) and Israel as a Nation being set aside until the Rapture, (see Acts 3:12-4:28;& chapter 7). Historically in 70AD they went into captivity, which Acts 28 represents. They are blinded today as a nation and will be until the tribulation period begins, at which time a remnant will repent and turn to God becoming the new and true Nation of Israel and the seven year tribulation will be the subject of this prophetic development in God's program moving to Christ Jesus return to set up His Millennial Kingdom, Romans 9:27,28. The 70th week commences at the Rapture, (Tribulation period, II Thessalonians 2; Revelation 4:1-20:3) when the Lord Jesus comes for His Church called His Body, and the removal of it. This event is call the Rapture, because it is the catching away of the believers into the air to be with Christ (I Thessalonians 4:12-18, I Corinthians 15:50-58).
5. Dispensation of Grace or Equality - The transition ends with the final Gentile's salvation with sin permeating the world, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and the Rapture of believers (Jew and Gentiles), Romans 11:17-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 cf. 5:1-9 and 2 Thessalonians 2 (Today's dispensation ends like it began - a Mystery dispensation inserted and a mystery ending event where believer are taken out of the world to meet the Lord in the air - neither was prophesied before Paul the apostle inspired by God wrote it revealing this hope for believers). The end of the transition is the mystery Rapture of the believer alive at that time and the all dead believers are transformed into their resurrection glorified bodies, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18. The resurrection of believers is not a mystery only how or when it would occur.
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5. The Dispensation of Grace - unique rules which Govern the Dispensation
Colossians 1
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 7
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption,[e] the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of Christ
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[f] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 2
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[g] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[h] God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 3
Rules for Holy Living
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Colossians 4
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ---- 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
A. Not found before in a dispensation
- The administration or dispensational rules and laws are directed to individuals of the new organism not a particular nation. Even though a nation is to obey and embrace the Spiritual rules and Laws of God containing the universal truths which God created as well as the new rules and laws commanded for the dispensation; God has not established a ruling spiritual government over another to govern its people, but holds every government equally responsible for Spiritual governing, Romans 13:1-6, 1 Peter 2:11-17.
Now God deals through all government equally holding them responsible for the way they govern. Who makes up these governments of the world, but humans and believers have the responsibility to be involved not just in participation as leaders when the occasion arises, but to promote the truths of God whenever possible as stewards to the world. We are to live in the world in participation, but not of the world with practicing the evil or promoting it by action or complacency.
The leadership in a Nation are to promoted the good, condemn the evil and bring appropriate punishment on the evil in this dispensation. If a nation is to be great today in the eyes of God it will promote and follow His laws and commands which He has laid down for humanity. If a government is going to follow God truths then the leaders need to follow His revealed word and make decisions on His universal truths and then carry them out according to His enlightenment.
All governments are to begin with God - not an idol (the rallying banner, some cliché, money or some pleasure, etc.). A Government under God - and a republic of people following God's word with the Bible rightly understood will bring God glory and people will live a quality life. The rallying point is God as He speaks through His word the Bible with thankfulness to Him!
The Governmental rule change came about not based on the New Covenant, but when God changed the stewardship of the dispensation from the Nation of Israel to the organism called His Body of equality. The New Covenant has always been for the redemption of humanity Genesis 3:15 and existed from eternity. As stated before, the Redemptive Covenant go through ALL dispensations, see the chapter on the covenants. The New or the Old Covenants are NOT dispensations, they are one covenant in two stages, carried out with dispensational rules in its implementation.
The unique relationship which the Nation of Israel inherited is not in operation today as it will be in the next dispensation (The Dispensation of the Kingdom), when God has finished His judgment on the Nation of Israel and its government, (Called tribulation period or the ending of the time of the Gentle period, Luke 21:24.). Today in the Dispensation of Grace a Jew as well as a Gentile receives the Grace of God apart from being a member of some nation or ethnic group. Today's dispensation will come to an end and God will complete His punitive judgment on the Dispensation of Promise in the tribulation period prophesied in Daniel and at which time a remnant of Jews will become believers they will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) as savior during this period while going through the tribulation and it will end with God establishing the earthly Kingdom as prophesied to the Nation of Israel.
- Gentiles are accepted on equal bases before God and all saints are responsible for accepting this relationship which God called a mystery not before revealed. Believers needs to examine the scriptures to see what was the mystery revealed, Ephesians 3:3, 9, Colossians 1:25,26, Romans 16:24-27 and the power of our God, Ephesians 1:19 "and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
- We are to embrace the same love which God has shown through His Love, equally to all. Gentiles have been accepted or coequal in relationship and responsibility:
- "adopted as his sons", Ephesians 1:5 by God's predetermined will and purpose.
- A predetermined relationship: Ephesians 1:4, 11-13, verse 4 " chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love", Even though God has loved the world of humanity - He separated His dealings with humanity as a whole as shown with the punitive judgment in the Dispensation of Human Government and revealed a new dispensation where a chain of command through the decedents of Abraham was instituted called the Dispensation of Promise. However, He sill had a mystery plan to express His love to all humanity equally which was hid in Him alone and revealed after Acts 7. Ephesians 3:5, "which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets."
- The light for the world - Ephesians 5:8-12 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."
- God made know this mystery to all humanity. Ephesians 1:9 "And he made known to us the mystery of his will",
- The truth of this mystery will carry over into the eternal dispensation, The Dispensation of the Fullness of Time. Even though there are two more dispensations after this dispensation, (The Dispensation of the Kingdom and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Time), God say there is a connection. Ephesians 1:10, "in the fullness of time when the things of God have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under Christ." , Revelation 19:5-9, 21:1-6, Ephesians 2:19-21, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Believers saved today will have part in the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus or in the Dispensation of the Kingdom 1 Corinthians 6:2,3, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"
- The Gentiles being responsible to accept the gospel is not the mystery, but the relationship of equality is or the New Creation is the making of the two one, (Israel and Gentile believers); this is a major difference or the uniqueness of this dispensation! Ephesians 3:6-11, " This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. and to make plain to everyone the administration (or dispensation) of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things".
- The two made one is a unique organism in the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 2:15, "by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace," This verse is not saying that God has done away with or abolished the moral law revealed in the Mosaic Law, but the ordinances or way it was applied under former dispensations have changed. This new organism, reveals a new relationship with the dispensational laws or administration laws under the Dispensation of Grace. God is not setting up a religious system through an earthly Government as He did with the Nation of Israel for now the moral laws of God are reiterated to all through the Body of Christ or call out individuals of all races and nations, (the Church). Remember universal truths never change, but the scripture does show they were carried out in different ways in accordance to God's plan for the new dispensation.
- Instead of calling this new organism Israel; God named this New Creation the Body of Christ. God calls it the Body of Christ after His Son, Ephesians 1:22,23, "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." A Spiritual relationship with all being equal in their personal approach to God without one being in a commanding position and the other a subordinate.
- Believer equally are responsible to keep the unity of this organism the church called the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-6, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Note: the one Spirit it is the Spirit that seals us unto God and when this verse speaks of one baptism it is referring to the membership of identity with the local church. Many who want to deny water baptism have tried to make baptism refer to the work of the Holy Sprit here, but the context of this passage is referring to the local church and it would be redundant to have to mention the Spirit twice as some try to do. Another group use these verses trying to prove their view on the non-importance of the local church by saying the baptism here refer to something else than it does, see chapter on baptism.)
- Office for leadership of a local body of believers to rally around to, lean, fellowship and encourage. Ephesians 4:11-13, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." 1Corithians 9:14, 1 Timothy 4, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 12.
- The responsibility of Stewardship to the world is given to this new organism, to teach and believe the God of creation and the redeemer, giving testimony to all; not just humanity is being confronted with this truth, but the rulers and authorities in heaven are told of the truth of God by believer's stewardship. Ephesians 3:10-12 "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
- We are it imitate the Lord Jesus in our lifestyle - Ephesians 5:1,2 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Romans 12:1,2.
- The believes or saints today from all races and nations are to do good work which God has purposed. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Believers are to carry out the works of God which He prepared in advance and to do this believer need to study God revealed Word the Bible to know and to live out in the world.
- Believers not a Nation is responsible for being fully equipped with the spiritual clothing of God as they live. A nation doing correctly will depend on those living the truth and wearing the armor of God, being and involved with the nations Godly direction it is to take, Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
B. Carry over rules with modifications:
- Government rule has existed for many Biblical Dispensations which God has allowed or raised up for a purpose. Governments are still ordained of God, but there is no one government ruling spiritual truths as the Nation of Israel was suppose to do in the former dispensation. All national governments are equally responsible, Romans 13:1-6, 1 Peter 2:11-17.
- Gentile responsible to the God of creation for to turning to Him, trusting the truth which He provided for them to have a relationship to Him.
- Israel still a chosen Nation, but still under the time of the Gentiles and a new relationship in their approach as equals. Their expectations as a nation being postponed and overlaid with the Body of Christ dispensation.
- The Redemptive Covenant's application being give to all on personal acceptance apart from the Nation of Israel and all believers now responsible for spreading it to the world.
C. Higher law of God's choosing:
- ww
It is recommended for all to further their Biblical study and understand to purchase the following books!!
Following Companies:
The first book -
Please write a review, go to each of the sites and write a review. This would be very helpful and appreciated!!
The other book -
E Mail pastor@pestor.com
World Wide Outreach Ministry Inc.
By: Theodore D Pestor/
President/Pastor BTH