Dispensationalism - A Clarifying Statement in View of the Confused Theological Climate

THE SCRIPTURES, when interpreted in their natural, literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these—the dispensations of law, grace, and the millennial rule of Christ—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture (John 1:17; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:24-25; Heb. 7:19; Rev. 20:2-6).

Further Clarification Regarding Dispensationalism
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When God’s Word, the Bible, is taken in a consistent, literal manner, it will result in dispensationalism. Dispensationalism is the result of a consistently literal and normal interpretation.

A dispensation is a unique stage in the outworking of God’s program in time, whereby mankind is to have a believing response, being responsible to be a good steward of the particular revelation which God has given (Eph. 3:2,9; Col. 1:25; Exodus 34:27-28; Gal. 3:10-12; 1 Tim.1:4; Eph. 1:10; etc.).

"In order to be "rightly dividing the Word of truth" it is essential to distinguish things that differ and to recognize certain basic Biblical distinctions"

In order to be "rightly dividing the Word of truth" it is essential to distinguish things that differ and to recognize certain basic Biblical distinctions, such as the difference between God’s program for Israel and God’s program for the Church (Acts 15:14-17; Rom. 11:25-27), the separation of 1000 years between the two resurrections (Rev. 20:4-6), the difference between the various judgments which occur at various times (2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15), the difference between law and grace (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14-15 Rom. 7:1-6) and the difference between Christ’s present session at the right hand of the Father as the Church’s great High Priest and Christ’s future session on the restored Davidic throne as Israel’s millennial King (Heb. 1:3;10:12-13; Acts 15:16; Luke 1:32).

The Church is a distinct body of believers which was not present on earth during the Old Testament period and which was not the subject of Old Testament prophecy (Eph. 3:1-9; Col.1:25-27). In accord with God’s program and timetable, the Church is on earth between the two advents of Christ with the beginning of the Church taking place after Daniel’s 69th week (on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2) and with the completion of the Church’s ministry on earth taking place at the rapture before the commencement of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24, 27). During this interval of time God is visiting the nations to call out a people for His Name (Acts 15:14-16; Eph. 3: 1-11; Rom. 11:25). Indeed, the Church is God’s called-out assembly.
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"God will literally fulfill His covenant and kingdom promises to the nation of Israel just as the prophets foretold"

God will literally fulfill His covenant and kingdom promises to the nation of Israel just as the prophets foretold (Gen. 12:2-3; 15:18-21; Deut. 30:3-10; 2 Sam. 7:4-17; Jer. 31:31-37; 33:15-26). We believe that the promises of the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12,15,17), the Palestinian covenant (Deuteronomy 30), the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) and the New covenant (Jeremiah 31) were made unconditionally to national Israel and that the thousand-year kingdom will include the literal fulfillment of these covenant promises to ethnic Israel (Jer. 31:31, 37;33:14-26; Ezek. 36:25-28, 40-48; Rom. 11:23-32). The Church is not the "new Israel" or the "spiritual Israel," but rather "one new man" created of two groups, saved Jews and saved Gentiles (Eph. 2:15; 1 Cor. 10:32). The terms "Israel," "Israelite," and "Jew," are used in the New Testament to refer to national, ethnic Israel. The term "Israel" is used of the nation or the people as a whole or the believing remnant within. It is not used of the Church in general or of Gentile believers in particular. Saved Gentiles of this present age are spiritual sons of Abraham who is the father of all who believe (Rom. 4:12, 16; Gal. 3:7,26,29), whether Jews or Gentiles; but believing Gentiles are not Israelites [that is, they are not the sons of Jacob]. The Israelites are carefully defined by Paul in Romans 9:4-5.

In every dispensation God’s distinctive programs are outworked for His great Name’s sake, and in every dispensation persons have always been saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8; Gen.15:6; Heb. 11:4-7; Rom. 4:1-8). We believe that the glory of God is the determining principle and overall purpose for God’s dealings with men in every age and that in every dispensation God is manifesting Himself to men and to angels so that all might redound to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:6,12,14; 3:21; Rom. 11:33-36; 16:27; Isa. 43:7; 1 Tim. 1:17).

Literal Interpretation
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The Bible must be interpreted literally which is the way language is normally and naturally understood. We recognize that the Bible writers frequently used figurative language which is a normal and picturesque way of portraying literal truth. The Bible must be understood in the light of the normal use of language, the usage of words, the historical and cultural background, the context of the passage and the overall teaching of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). Most important, the believer must study the Bible in full dependence upon the SPIRIT OF TRUTH whose ministry is to reveal Christ and illumine the minds and hearts of believers (John 5:39; 16:13-15; 1 Cor. 2:9-16). The natural, unregenerate man cannot understand or interpret correctly the Word of God. The things of God are foolishness to him, he cannot know them (1 Cor. 2:14), and his mind is blinded (Rom. 3:11; 2 Cor. 4:3-4).

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

GWZ I.F.

INTRODUCTION TO DISPENSATIONALISM - Bible study

Glenn Beck’s Overton Window is Today’s Chilling Story

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Glenn Beck’s Overton Window is Today’s Chilling Story - link

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Book Review by Gina Miller on April 5th, 2011

 

The ETERNAL Fools of April Fools Day

Today in America we have no shortage of fools. That is an obvious no-brainer.

A fool is - in the Biblical sense - a stupid, wicked (especially impious), or vile person; fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman). A scoffer, blockhead or reprobate, a despiser of Almighty God and all that is truly good.

The secular definition of fool is: one who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.

In both cases we see that the fool is a sound rejecter of the Laws of Nature, and of Nature's God.

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What is Foolishness to Whom?
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Conservatives, conservatism, and the adherence to and acknowledgment of natural and moral laws are absolute foolishness to the secular-progressive, liberal mindset (a.k.a. “the Left”).

On the other hand, the abandonment or rejection of natural and moral laws (social/ fiscal), crucial conservative ideals and their foundational roots (found in Judeo/ Christian absolutes) are absolute foolishness to the conservative mindset (a.k.a. “the Right”).

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"The height of foolishness is found where these two enemies have a common bond uniting them together"

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The height of foolishness is found where these two enemies have a common bond uniting them together. Their “common thread” is in standing against foundational Biblical Christianity and its teachings of Jesus Christ. Both the Left and the Right have their own personal perceptions of what “Christianity” is, but they reject in unison - the Left exceedingly far more than many on the Right - the total authority and reality of Almighty God’s divinely inspired book, the Bible, and its call to repentance and salvation by grace alone which comes solely by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1, Eph. 2:8-9). They outright reject Almighty God’s Word or seek to make it a common book and marginalize its divine message. This foundational reality they WILL NOT receive (Matt 7:24-27; John 14:17, 1 Cor. 1:18). The bottom line is that both of these groups reject the ABSOLUTE RIGHTEOUSNESS of Almighty God and are doomed in light of their ETERNAL futures(Matt. 6:33, John 3:5, Rom. 10:2-4, 1 Cor. 15:50, Rev. 20: 11-15; 21:27).

An Example - The Political Parties of Jesus’ Day

Historically speaking, the Sadducees and the Pharisees of Jesus day were bitter political enemies, but when it came to the reality of who Jesus Christ was, both groups united together to crucify and rid themselves of their chief rival (Matt. 3:7; 16:1, 6, 12; 22:34; Mark 14:10, 53; 15:10-11; Luke 23:10; John 7:48).

That Sadducees were "the Left" of their day, rejecting the Holy Scriptures and a great majority of the Biblical truths, much as liberal, “professing” Christians do today (Mark 12:18; Luke 23:10; Acts 5:17; 23:8).

The Pharisees were the conservative political party in Israel at the time of the earthly ministry of Christ, adhering to the moral and natural laws rooted in Mosaic Law, and promoting a salvation and spirituality based in traditional fables and legalism (law keeping). Just like today, these conservatives (Pharisees) were a minority during this period, i.e., around 30 - 33 A.D. (Matt. 5:20; 12:14; 15:1, 12; 23:2; Mark 7:5; Luke 5:21; 11:43; 15:2; 18:4).

Who Are the Fools in Almighty God’s Eyes?
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Let's take a look at what the Bible, Almighty God’s Word, states about the fools who reject Almighty God and His Absolute Authority.

"The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Palms 14:1).

'Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:21-22).

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it' (Matt. 7:26-27).

"And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?' (Luke 12:18-20)

"As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly" (Prov. 26:11).

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).

Fools for the King of Kings
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The world today labels those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and who are His ministers (servants) as fools. These slander and scoff at their evangelistic message of ETERNAL salvation and the very heart of the Gospel message that, Christ died, was buried and ROSE again as the Holy Scriptures testify (1 Cor 15:1-4).

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence" (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

"We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised" (1 Cor. 4:10).

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (1 Cor. 3:18-19).

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Cor. 1:18-20)

Are You Foolish Enough to Follow Christ or Foolish Enough to Reject Him?
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God’s Infallible Word sets before all just who are the fools and who are the wise. The wisdom and rudiments of this world are passing away, and only those things wrought (done) in and for Christ will abide FOREVER (1 Cor. 7:31; 2 Peter 3:13; 1 John 2:17). It is up to us to humble ourselves before Almighty God’s ETERNAL Person, wisdom and righteousness, and to be obedient to His command to repent of our transgressions against His ETERNAL spiritual absolutes and natural laws (Acts 17:13; Romans 3:23; 10:2-4; James 1:21).

All will have to give an account to Him in that Day for what we have done in our lives (Matt. 12:36; 1 Peter 4:4-5). If we think that we in our own merit can stand before Him blameless and perfect, we will indeed be the greatest of fools for all ETERNITY (Rom. 14:10-11; Eph. 2:8-9; Rev. 20:11-15).
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"If we think that we in our own merit can stand before Him blameless and perfect, we will indeed be the greatest of fools for all ETERNITY"

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God saw our desperate need for His righteousness and for deliverance from the tyranny and bondage of our transgressions (Rom. 7:24-25). These have separated us from Him and have brought His wrath upon us (John 3:36; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 2:1-2, 14).

In His great ETERNAL love Almighty God sent forth His only Son from Heaven’s glory to pay the price for our transgressions, to be our propitiation and to rescue us from the ETERNAL ramifications of our transgressions and godless folly (John 3:16-17; Rom. 7:24-25; Gal. 1:4; Eph 2:14; 1 John 2:2).

This April Fools Day may you cast off your foolish pride and receive God’s Savior of your soul, the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can deliver us from the wrath to come (Acts 4:12). He alone can deliver you from the ETERNAL judgment on transgressors (Acts 10:43; Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 2:5). He alone truly loves you and has given Himself to be your propitiation to satisfy all of Almighty God’s righteous and ETERNAL absolutes (Rom. 3:25; 4:25; 5:8; 8:32; Eph. 5:2; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

Do NOT be a fool and die in your trespasses and sins. Almighty God has sent His son to make you wise indeed!
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"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor. 1:30)

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May you place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today. You will never be the same!

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.
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Edited by BEL I.F
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