Change in Dispensation

 •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
"I see it now; I see it clearly," said a Christian who had long had confused views of the truth. "I see now there is a change in dispensation."
Before this, he did not clearly distinguish between the law and the gospel, Israel and the Church, things earthly and things heavenly; but now he learned from the Scriptures that there was a change in dispensation. And so there is. While God changes not, He was pleased in His sovereignty at one time to give a holy law from the burning mount, and instructed all, under penalty of death, to keep far off; and at another time to send forth His beloved Son with words of pardon and blessing to all that come to Him in faith.
It was once God's good pleasure to call an earthly people, the nation of Israel, to serve Him on earth; but now it is God's sovereign will to call sinners (in grace) into relationship with Himself in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
In this dispensation He is calling out of the Gentiles "a people for His name" (Acts 15:44And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. (Acts 15:4)); in the coming day He will "gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth" (Eph. 1:1010That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)). The great changes between the past and present dispensations are plainly set forth in the New Testament in different points of view. Let us look at some of them.
1) AS TO SACRIFICE. In the last dispensation, there were many sacrifices, and often repeated. They were the remembrances of sins, and by virtue of them forgiveness of past sins was provided, but never "took away sins." They could not "make the corners thereunto perfect," nor enable them to "draw near" to God, as having "no more conscience of sins."
In this dispensation we have one sacrifice once offered, never needing to be repeated. Blood so precious, and so entirely taking away sins, that God says, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more," thus purging the conscience and enabling the worshiper to enter with boldness into the holiest of all. The change of dispensation is so marked that we are told that "He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second." In the former God had no pleasure; with the latter He is well pleased. (See Heb. 10:1-221For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:1‑22).)
PRIESTHOOD. The Apostle says, "The priesthood being changed," etc. How is it changed? The Aaronic order of priesthood was of the tribe of Levi, appointed without an oath, did not continue, passed from one person to another; the high priest was obliged to offer for his own sins, was always standing because his work was never done, and had to remember the sins of the people over again once every year.
The Lord Jesus, the High Priest now, was of the tribe of Judah, and is of the Melchisedec order, was appointed by an oath, continueth forever, and is unchangeable. He had no sins of His own to put away because He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens"; and so perfect is His work that after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3; 7:8; 10:11, 123Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. (Hebrews 7:8)
11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:11‑12)).
WORSHIP. In the last dispensation, Jerusalem was the place of worship; the thick veil excluded the worshipper from the presence of God, and no one could enter into the holiest of all but the high priest once a year, and that only with blood and incense. In this dispensation, worship is purely spiritual, no earthly place of worship is recognized, the veil is rent, we enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
CALLING. In the last dispensation, God called a people from Egypt to Canaan, with a promise of earthly inheritance. Now God calls by His gospel with a high, holy, and heavenly calling, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, having quickened us together with Him, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Him (Eph. 1 and 2).
HOPE. The true hope of the last dispensation was Messiah the Son of David, coming to set up His kingdom on earth, and reign before His ancients gloriously. The blessed hope of this dispensation is that Christ will come, change our bodies of humiliation, and raise us up to meet Him in the air, to be forever with the Lord (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3) Thess. 4:16, 17).
These are only some of the points of difference, but enough has been advanced to show that there really is a change in dispensation.
May the Lord help His children rightly to divide the word of truth, and serve Him acceptably.