Lesson for June 30, 2024

Hermeneutics 101

Lesson 4

Theocentric Dispensations

The Dispensation of Israel

Genesis 12 – Malachi 4

2126 B.C. – 397 B.C.

Characteristics:

1. From Abraham to the Birth of Christ
2. Jewish nation established
3. Levitical priesthood – tribe of Levi were priests
4. Law of Moses given
5. Many races
6. Many languages
7. Conditional and unconditional covenants given to Israel
8. Holy Spirit temporarily indwelt some believers

Within this dispensation, we have two divisions or ages, which are classified as ages. The first is The Age of Promise extending from the call of Abraham to the giving of the Law of Moses. It is called Promise because it was a promise from God to Abraham. The promise concerned the birth of Isaac, the child of Abraham’s old age, and a guarantee that Abraham’s family line would continue. It was a promise that Abraham would be the father of a great nation and that he would have a great name.

There was also a promise that Abraham’s descendants would have the Promised Land, forever. The second is The Age of Mosaic Law, from when God gave Moses the Mosaic Law to Malachi. The Mosaic Law was given for all of Israel to follow, after the previous ruling factors failed to bring them to faith in the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ) or produce the righteousness of God in the life of believers.

1) The Age of Promise – Genesis 12 – Exodus 18

God’s Will – to obey God and His commands under the authority of Abraham.

Man’s Failure – Abraham and his descendants failed by disobeying God. Against God’s will, Abraham had Ishmael. The Jews failed to return to the land of Canaan (their place of destiny) after the famine ended in Joseph’s time.

Divine Judgment – in Egypt they were enslaved to a cruel pharaoh and threatened with extinction. Ishmael’s descendants (the Arab nations) continue to be a “thorn in the flesh” for Israel.

2) The Age of the Mosaic Law – Exodus 19-Malachi 4

God’s Will – to obey the Law of Moses, disseminate the Gospel and preserve the Word of God for future generations.

Man’s Failure – the nation of Israel continually disobeyed God’s law, even going after other gods. The nation was split, and the majority of their kings were corrupt.

Divine Judgment – the nation suffered captivity under the Assyrians, the Babylonians. and the Egyptians. The nation was divided and failed in their responsibility to disseminate the Gospel and the Word of God to the nations, which removed the blessing of God upon the nation.

Christocentric Dispensations

The Dispensation of the Hypostatic Union

Matthew 1 – Acts 1

B.C. – 33 A.D.

Characteristics:

1. From the Birth of Christ to the Ascension of Christ
2. Christ proclaimed the Kingdom to Israel
3. Israel rejected the Messiah
4. Christ prophesied the Church Age
5. Christ lived a sinless life as an example to believers
6. Christ introduced the New Covenant
7. Death, burial and resurrection of Christ
8. Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law

The Hypostatic Union is the union of deity and humanity in one person, Jesus Christ. Not normally classified as a dispensation, it is a unique period in history and a transitional period of time when God administered His policies toward mankind on the basis of the Law of Moses. It must be pointed out once again that God’s grace has always been operational toward mankind, but not always as a ruling factor. This dispensation, which separates the Age of Israel from the Church Age, becomes the “springboard” into the Church Age, also called the Age of Grace.

God’s Will – Israel was to accept Jesus Christ as Messiah (Savior) and usher in the Kingdom of Heaven (the Millennium).

Man’s Failure – Israel, as a nation, rejected Christ, delayed the setting up of God’s kingdom on earth and crucified the Savior. Of course, we know that this was all part of the divine plan to provide salvation for all mankind.

Divine Judgment – worldwide dispersion of the Jews. Gentile nations replaced Israel as the client nation. A client nation is where freedom exists to guard and communicate the Word of God. Divine judgment was placed upon Christ for the sin of the world and the Kingdom of Heaven (the Millenium) was postponed until after the Tribulation.

The Dispensation of the Church

(Acts 2 – Revelation 4)

(33 A.D. – unknown date)

Characteristics:

1. From Pentecost to the Rapture
2. Royal Priesthood of the believer
3. A mystery of the Old Testament revealed
4. Holy Spirit permanently indwells believers
5. Canon of Scripture completed
6. Law of Christ introduced
7. Exit of the Church at the Rapture and becoming the Bride of Christ

The Dispensation of the Church is also called the Age of Grace because mankind now had a new ruling factor from God. Introduced by Christ in the Dispensation of the Hypostatic Union, God’s grace replaced the Mosaic Law as ruling factor in the life of mankind. Grace is defined as all that God is free to do for us on the basis of what Christ did for us on the Cross. Though God’s grace has always been, and always will be, operational in the life of every human being, in this dispensation it becomes the factor by which God administers His policies to mankind. (Galatians 3:19-25; Romans 6:14; Titus 2:11-12)

God’s Will – to accept Christ as Savior and obey God on the basis of grace because of what Christ did on the Cross. We have a new law, the Law of Christ. We are to follow His example and produce His character under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Man’s Failure – rejection of grace by unbelievers for a “by works salvation,” which is no salvation at all. Many believers fail to learn and apply the Word of God. Believers not learning and using God’s recovery system from personal sin, resulting in no spiritual life, no glorification of God, reversionism, and the destruction of their spiritual life.

Divine Judgment – unbeliever’s judgment is reserved until after death. Believers, however, are dealt with as children of God, receiving divine discipline in three stages: warning, intensive, and premature death (the sin unto death). (Hebrews 12:5-13; I Corinthians 11:27-28)