One of the most interesting and helpful things for any Christian is to see or to get an outline of prophecy. God is a God of order. This is amazingly demonstrated in His universe. All is set and sustained and moves according to God.
God's plan for man in time and forever is no different. There is perfect order determined in His purpose to have His Son-the Son of man-exalted in heaven and earth with creatures around Him to His glory and praise.
Dispensations come in by the way. The last dispensation is called the dispensation of the fullness of times. It will be the kingdom of 1000 years made known in Rev. 20. This gives a clue to the length of time in the foregoing article by J.T. Armet. One day is as a thousand years with the Lord (2 Peter 3:88But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)).
The times or the dispensations are the various tests under which God has placed the first man. Each succeeding test is more favorable to man, but in each test he breaks down in failure. Conscience was intended to help, and does help us somewhat in our behavior. Conscience remains and to this was added government which also still is with us and is needed.
One select nation-Israel-was tested for a definite period (dispensation) under law. It began and concluded as a test (Rom. 10:44For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)). Since Christ finished redemption's work, God is gathering a people for heaven through the preaching of the gospel.
Many prophets foretold events in the Old Testament. While the heavenly people are now being gathered, time is not reckoned prophetically. When Christ comes and takes His heavenly saints out of the world, prophecy will resume.
The Prophetic Summary sets before us in order much of what God has revealed concerning the future. Let us consider well what God has opened up in His Word about dispensations and prophecy. It surely and solidly does confirm faith as well as establish us upon Christ who is the foundation of all the purposes and counsels of God.
Ed.