The Seven Dispensations of Scripture

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FOREWORD
We read in 2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) about the importance of "rightly dividing the word of truth" and it is with this in mind that we feel a scriptural understanding of God's dealings with man in the seven dispensations is helpful to this end. It has been remarked that 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) is the key verse of the Bible for it tells us the final purpose of all God's ways "That in the dispensation of the fullness 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." This verse makes it clear that in the purposes of God there are two distinct spheres of blessing, heavenly and earthly.
The seven dispensations teach us how God has worked and is working to accomplish all this (Eph. 1:1111In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11)) and to fulfill His eternal purposes to bring in a scene of glory with Christ in manhood with His bride, the church, the center of it all. The cost was great, for the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God became a man, bore the judgment of God for our sins, and as the risen glorified Man is to be the Center on this new creation scene of glory, heavenly and earthly.
"Of the vast universe of bliss,
The center Thou, and Sun;
Th' eternal theme of praise is this,
To heaven's beloved One:
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou,
That every knee to thee should bow."
Hymn 150 L.F.
THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS OF SCRIPTURE
It is wonderful to trace the order of the revelation God has given to us in His Word from Genesis to Revelation for it is inspired by the Spirit of God, as we read in 2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16), "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
What a marvel to think that all these different writers, writing over a period of about 1500 years should write in perfect harmony giving to us an outline of the ways of God, from the beginning of the material creation, through the process of time on to the eternal state. Who among men would know these things if God had not told us? He has not told us all that our curious minds would like to know, but as we read in 2 Peter 1:33According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3), "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue."
Another wonder of the Bible is that because it is inspired by the Spirit of God, it is unlike all the books written by men and women. A man or woman who has the same measure of intelligence as the writer of books written by other men or women will understand such books. But since the Bible is inspired by the Spirit of God one must receive the Spirit of God to understand many of the wonderful things revealed in the Bible (1 Cor. 2:11,1211For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11‑12)). At the same time God has made the way to he saved, and to receive the Spirit of God very simple, so that even a child can understand, can receive eternal life and receive the Spirit of God. A person must come as a lost sinner to the Lord Jesus, for He is the Door, as He said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in he shall be saved" John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9). When we are saved, cleansed from all our sins in the precious blood of Christ then we delight to read the Bible for we love the Lord Jesus and want to learn more about Him, His love and His truth. May this be the prayer of our hearts "Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation" Psa. 25:55Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:5).
With these thoughts in mind, 1 would like to give a little outline of the ways of God with man as revealed in the Scripture. The Bible as we have said reveals to us the history of mankind from the time of his creation on this earth until his final destiny in blessing or under the righteous judgment of God. There are "seven dispensations" revealed to us in the Bible. A dispensation is a period of time in which God offers blessing to man on certain conditions, for God delights in blessing, as we read in Prov. 8:3131Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. (Proverbs 8:31) "rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and My delights were with the sons of men."
God created everything for man's good and happiness for we read in Gen. 1:3131And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31), "and God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good." He put the man (Adam) whom He had made in His own image (representative) and His own likeness (moral) with his helpmeet (Eve) who was to share this special position of headship over the wonderful creation fresh from the hand of God. He only gave him one command to keep, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2:16,1716And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16‑17).
This was the dispensation of innocence. It was a question of simple obedience, not knowing good or evil—just obeying what God said in the simplicity of a child. They chose to disobey God and this was the cause of the fall, "As by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin." Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12). Having disobeyed God they now have the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:2222And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (Genesis 3:22)). They now have a bad conscience without the power to do good or to refrain from evil. They know they must answer to God, and because they have a conscience they feel their nakedness and try to cover it with aprons of their own handiwork made with fig leaves.
God now becomes a seeking God, and He calls in grace to Adam, the responsible head, "Where art thou?" Adam and Eve were afraid because they were naked, and the fig leaf aprons of their own making did not satisfy their newly acquired consciences. This is why the Lord said, "Who told thee that thou wast naked?" Gen. 3:1111And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? (Genesis 3:11). This was the conviction of a guilty conscience. Man has now failed when tested in innocence, but God is the God of all grace. He solemnly brings their sin before them, for God is Light, and as the Psalmist said, "Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance." Psa. 90:88Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. (Psalm 90:8). But in wondrous grace He made the promise that although Eve had yielded to Satan's temptation and Adam had followed her, both eating of the forbidden fruit, yet God said, that the Seed of the woman (Christ) would bruise the serpent's head (Gen. 3:1515And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)).
They must forfeit this beautiful garden of Eden, but before driving them out of the garden, God Himself clothed them, not with fig leaf aprons, but with coats of skins, obtained through the death and blood shedding of a victim that died in their place. God also placed the Cherubim and a flaming sword to keep them from reentering Eden. They could not obtain favor in God's sight by their own efforts, but because the sword of judgment for sin fell upon Christ the promised Seed of the woman, redeemed men and women will enter the heavenly city washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb of God (Rev. 5:9;21:49And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)
4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)).
Now let us look at what follows this dispensation of innocence. God has met man in grace in spite of his failure in innocence, and now He puts him to a test whether he will, as people say, let his conscience be his guide. Will he maintain a good conscience? Very soon we find that Cain approached a holy God with an offering of the fruit of the ground which God had cursed, while Abel avails himself of God's gracious provision for fallen man and approaches God with the sacrifice of an animal to die in his stead. God accepts Abel's sacrifice (Heb. 11:44By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)) and Cain is angry, refusing to offer an acceptable sacrifice (Gen. 4:6,76And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4:6‑7)) and he kills his brother. God had not yet given the authority of government to man to punish the offender. It is now the dispensation of conscience, and Cain goes out from the presence of the Lord and builds a city and his descendants make harps and organs and become artificers in brass and iron, while Lamech has two wives. Cain had a conscience but he and his posterity try to forget their guilt in a life of pleasure, knowledge, and entertainment (Job 21:11-1511They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Job 21:11‑15)). There was no government in the earth, though God raised up a testimony warning of coming judgment, and He also tells us that Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5:2222And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:22), Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14),15).
But things become worse and worse in this dispensation of conscience, with men going on in sin without the restraint of government and we read in Gen. 6:55And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5), "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Also in Gen. 6:1111The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (Genesis 6:11), "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence."
Again we see the wonderful grace of God. He told Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:55And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5)) that He was going to bring a flood that would destroy man from off the earth, but He gave instruction to him to build an ark, a place of safety and shelter from this flood of water. Noah believed God, and he prepared this huge boat in which shelter was provided for all those who entered. Only Noah, his wife, and family (eight persons in all) entered, as well as all the animals, birds, and creeping things which Noah was instructed to take unto it. All those outside the ark perished in the flood.
After the waters were abated from the earth those eight souls, with the animals, birds, and creeping things came out to start afresh the population of the earth. The first thing that Noah did was to offer a sacrifice to the Lord of all the clean animals, and the Lord smelled a sweet savor and promised that He would not send such a flood of water again. God did not say that He now expected men and women to improve, but because of the sacrifice Noah had made (the death of those animals and birds), He acted in grace (Gen. 8:20-2220And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:20‑22)). The only way of blessing for man is through the death and shedding of the blood of a substitute. All this pointed on to Christ, and His death and blood-shedding for sinners at Calvary.
Man had failed to get blessing through his conscience for he had filled the earth with violence and corruption, and God had wiped out the record of this with a flood. Now man is about to enter the third test—the dispensation of human government, and God says, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" Gen. 9:66Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6). He put human government into the hands of man as we read in Rom. 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1). "The powers that be are ordained of God."
Sad to say, Noah, to whom this authority was first committed, became drunk (Gen. 9:2121And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. (Genesis 9:21)), so we see again that as soon as man is placed in a position of responsibility he fails in it, and if there is to be blessing it comes on the ground of a sacrifice, as we have noticed.
Men now attempted to establish themselves on the earth, because all mankind at this time spoke the same language. They start to build a tower in independence of God, and at this point idolatry began (Josh. 24:22And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. (Joshua 24:2)), and Abraham was called out from this wickedness. Men worshipped the works of their own hands and said to God "Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways" Job 21:1414Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (Job 21:14).
The call of Abraham begins the dispensation of promise. God intervenes in grace in man's evil course and we read that the God of glory appeared to Abraham (Acts 7:22And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, (Acts 7:2)) and called him out from this idolatry to reveal Himself as the one true God and to give him and his posterity the land of Canaan for a possession (Gen. 13:14-1714And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (Genesis 13:14‑17)). This, as we have said, is the beginning of the dispensation of promise. The land of Canaan is promised to the nation of Israel, through the promised Seed which is Christ (Gal. 3:1616Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)) and when Abraham asked how could he know this, it was confirmed to him on the ground of a sacrifice (Gen. 15:5-215And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 7And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (Genesis 15:5‑21)). In spite of Israel's sad history of sin, and of passing through the furnace of trial, there was the "burning lamp" of God's unfailing promises.
We know how, not long after this, Jacob's sons sold Joseph their brother into Egypt and then, because of the famine which God sent, they all went down into Egypt. But even though they had not yet received the promise of the possession of the land of Canaan, God had sworn by Himself to give it to them through the promised Seed which is Christ (Gal. 3:14-1814That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Galatians 3:14‑18)), and He could not break His Word. Faithful to His promise God delivered them from their slavery in Egypt, sheltering them from judgment through the blood of the Passover Lamb (a picture of Christ the true Passover, 1 Cor. 5:77Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7)) and bringing them out of Egypt, setting them on their way to Canaan, the land of promise.
At this point the people are put to a test. Could they obtain the blessing God purposed for them by their own efforts? They said they could, and if God would tell them what to do, they would obey. "And all the people answered together and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord" Ex. 19:88And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 19:8).
As we have noticed, they had left the land of promise and had become slaves in Egypt. God in grace had delivered them from Egypt and its slavery, sheltering them from judgment by the blood of the lamb. He had by His power brought them through the Red Sea and set them on their way to Canaan. He had met all their murmurings in grace, for His purpose was to bless them, not because they had earned His favor, but by grace alone. But they are now put to another test. Could they keep God's holy law? At Mount Sinai, God gives the Ten Commandments and this is the beginning of the new test—the dispensation of Law. Man had failed in Innocence. He had failed under Conscience. He had failed under Government. He had failed under Promise. Now, could he keep God's holy law which in Ex. 20 is made known at Mt. Sinai and written by the finger of God on tables of stone? (Ex. 32:15,1615And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. (Exodus 32:15‑16))
We know the sad story only too well. Moses had gone up to Mount Sinai to get these tables of stone, and before he came down the people had broken the first commandment and were worshipping a golden calf saying, "These be thy gods, 0 Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt" Ex. 32:44And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 32:4). It is the same sad story as before, but also the record of how God meets them in grace. Moses then goes up to the mountain the second time and God gives him the pattern for the tabernacle providing a way of approach into His presence for a guilty lawbreaking people through the blood of a sacrifice. Moses had broken the first tables of stone at the foot of the mountain, so they did not come into the camp, for it would have brought certain judgment. But when he went up the second time God wrote the same law on tables of stone again (Ex. 34:1-81And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. 2And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. 3And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. 4And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. 5And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 8And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. (Exodus 34:1‑8)) and he put these in the ark (Deut. 10:1,21At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. 2And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark. (Deuteronomy 10:1‑2)) and the mercy seat was above it where the blood was sprinkled on the day of atonement (Lev. 16:1414And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. (Leviticus 16:14)). God did not change His holy law but in grace provided a way that He could go on with a guilty people until the one perfect Sacrifice was made at Calvary by the Lord Jesus whose precious blood alone could put away sin (Heb. 10:4,144For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)
14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)).
This, as we have said, is the beginning of the dispensation of law, and it continued until the Lord Jesus bore the curse of the broken law on Calvary's cross, as it is recorded in Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13), "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." As we trace the history of the nation of Israel we see how they turned away from the Lord, not only breaking the law, but seeking happiness and security by other means rather than in the path of obedience, as we read in Jer. 2:1313For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13), "My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
God dealt with them in chastisement allowing their enemies to triumph over them, sending famine and trials among them, and then ten of their tribes were carried into captivity by the Assyrians. At the same time He raised up prophets to warn them and also to tell them of God's unchanging love (Jer. 31:3-93The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. 5Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. 6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God. 7For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. 8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. 9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. (Jeremiah 31:3‑9)) and of His purposes of blessing. But the remaining two tribes were no better than the ten and, sad to say, even after the longsuffering patience of God, they did not turn to Him. He then allowed these remaining two tribes to be carried into captivity to Babylon (2 Chron. 36:11-2111Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 13And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel. 14Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 21To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (2 Chronicles 36:11‑21)) where they remained in captivity for seventy years.
Surely we can see in this dispensation of law that Israel was only a sample of the heart and ways of the natural man. They not only could not keep God's holy law, but they had no heart to do so, as we read in Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way." God desired their blessing for "He loved the people" (Deut. 33:33Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. (Deuteronomy 33:3)) and did not forsake them in all their sin and rebellion.
We see here, as in each of these dispensations, that the grace of God and the government of God are displayed. When they had failed and He must deal with their sins in His governmental ways, He reached out to them in grace, ever seeking their good and blessing. He brought a remnant from the two tribes back to their land, as we read in Ezra and Nehemiah and raised up prophets to encourage them to honor the Lord by obedience to Him while waiting for the promised Messiah to come. So we read in Mic. 5:22But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." He gave prophecies of their future blessing and then at last, as we read in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John how the promised Messiah came into this world. "Thou shalt call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins" Matt. 1:2121And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21).
Man had failed in every dispensation but "where sin abounded grace did much more abound" Rom. 5:2020Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20). The greatest test for man now came when the Lord Jesus was born into this world, but we read in John 1:10,1110He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:10‑11), " He was in the world and the world, was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." They boasted of the law which they had not kept, and rejected their Messiah who in grace went about in kindness and love healing their sick, cleansing lepers, opening blind eyes and even raising the dead. At last that favored nation cried, "Away with Him. We will not have this Man to reign over us." (John 19:1515But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. (John 19:15), Luke 19:1414But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14)). Pontius Pilate who was a Gentile delivered Him to be crucified, and we read in Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19), "Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God."
The Lord Jesus then became the Sin Bearer at Calvary, and as we read in Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6), "He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." He also bore the curse of the broken law (Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)) putting an end to the dispensation of law. God is no longer asking man to keep the law, for He has said "They that are in the flesh cannot please God" Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8). God is a holy God and each dispensation has only proved that man is a lost sinner and has never been able to fulfill God's holy requirements.
We are now living in the dispensation of the grace of God and "grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21). God now comes to men and women requiring that they will acknowledge themselves as guilty lost sinners having no righteousness of their own, and that they are unable to please God (Rom. 8:55For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)). He gives a new life, eternal life, the very life of Christ to the sinner who believes. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21), "for He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" 2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21). When we are saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God, the earnest of our inheritance (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)) "and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3). We become part of the church of God, not by joining a man- made church organization, for we read in Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47), "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
It is important to understand what the church of God is. Now in this dispensation of the grace of God, the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile has been broken down (Eph. 2:14-1614For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:14‑16)), and both are brought together and made members of the one body of Christ, "for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jew or Gentile" (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)). The nation of Israel had promises of earthly blessing, and God has not forgotten these promises and will in a future day bring them nationally into their earthly inheritance as we shall see later.
But now, in this dispensation of the grace of God, in this church period, Jews and Gentiles, as we have remarked, are made one in Christ. The church is a heavenly company, the inheritance is laid up for us in heaven (Col. 1:55For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (Colossians 1:5), 1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4)) and in Eph. 2:66And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6) we are seen as already seated there. We have the privilege of proclaiming God's wonderful message of pardon and peace to a lost world, as ambassadors, (2 Cor. 5:20,2120Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:20‑21)) but as the Lord Jesus said, "They are not of the world even as I am not of the world" John 17:1616They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16). We also have the privilege of gathering at the Lord's table as members of the one body of Christ to remember Him in His death till He comes to take us to our heavenly Home (1 Cor. 10:17,11:26).
We must never forget that this wonderful place of blessing is all through sovereign grace, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast" Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8),9. Grace is the undeserved favor of God, we cannot earn it, we must receive all by faith, because the work of redemption was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)), we stand in grace (1 Peter 5:1212By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (1 Peter 5:12)), and it is grace that will be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1313Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13)).
Now we are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" Eph. 2:1010For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10). Good works in the believer's life are not done to obtain salvation, but out of gratitude for what the Lord has done for us, and to be acceptable to the Lord they must be in obedience to His Word. As soon as Paul was saved on the road to Damascus he said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do" Acts 9:66And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:6).
As mentioned before, we are now living in this dispensation of the grace of God, but it will soon end at the coming of the Lord Jesus, closing the door of grace on all who have refused the gospel of the grace of God, as we read in Matt. 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) "And they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut." The Lord's coming will be followed by seven years of trouble or tribulation which will come on all the earth, (see Rev. 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)) but especially on those who have refused God's gracious offer of salvation, and on the Jews, who still continue to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah, the One who came in grace. God will then send a strong delusion on all those who have rejected the gospel of the grace of God and they will believe Satan's lie (2 Thess. 2:10-1210And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:10‑12)).
But He will at this time raise up a godly remnant among those Jews who have not rejected the gospel of the grace of God, and they will go out and preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 25:1414For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (Matthew 25:14)) announcing that Christ is coming to set up His kingdom in righteousness on the earth (Isa. 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)). Some of this godly remnant will be put to death for their testimony, and if so they will have part in the first resurrection and have a heavenly portion (Rev. 20:4-64And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4‑6)). The ones who are not put to death will have part in Christ's earthly kingdom (Rev. 7:1-81And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. (Revelation 7:1‑8)) which He sets up on earth for the thousand years of which we are about to speak. There will also be a great multitude of Gentiles who had not heard and rejected the gospel of the grace of God, who will believe this gospel of the kingdom and they will share in this blessing of Christ's kingdom reign on earth (Rev. 7:14,9-17:1-5).
At the end of this seven years of tribulation when evil will have risen to its full, Christendom having worshipped "the beast" (Rev. 13:1-81And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:1‑8)) the apostate Jews having accepted the Antichrist (John 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43)) and Satan will be worshipped instead of God, (Rev. 13:44And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4)) then the Lord will come out of heaven with His redeemed ones (Rev. 19:11-2111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11‑21)) to execute judgment on the ungodly and to set up righteous government in the earth (2 Thess. 1:7-107And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10), Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31), Matt. 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)). Here we have the judgment of the living (2 Tim. 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1)).
This will bring in the dispensation of righteous government (Isa. 11;32). This is the last trial of man on the earth. Men blame the devil for leading them to sin, so in this last test of man, the devil will be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-31And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1‑3)) and man is tested as to whether he will sin without a tempter. If any one sins openly during this thousand year reign of the Lord Jesus, he will be cut off in righteous judgment (Zech. 5:1-41Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. 3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. 4I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. (Zechariah 5:1‑4), Psa. 101;7;8). The desert will then blossom as the rose (Isa. 35:1,21The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. (Isaiah 35:1‑2)), the wolf will lie down with the lamb and a little child shall lead them (Isa. 11:66The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)). It will be a wonderful time of blessing in happy family life (Isa. 65: 19-25, Psa. 125) and righteous government.
This ends the seven dispensations of man's trial on the earth and the great white throne is set up. The judgment of the living had taken place at the beginning and during the thousand year reign of Christ, (the millennium), (see Matt. 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)), and now we read of the judgment of those who have died in their sins. They are judged according to their works, and "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" Rev. 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15).
The first heaven and the first earth are burned up and pass away with a great noise and the elements melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:12,1312Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:12‑13)) and God creates new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)) where sin and its results can never enter. "And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" Rev. 2:1:4.
There will be two places of eternal blessing: heavenly and earthly. The church, the bride of Christ will be in the heavenly glory (2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1), Col. 1:55For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (Colossians 1:5), Rev. 21:99And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9), 1 Peter 1:3,43Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3‑4)). The church is composed of all those who have been saved from the day of Pentecost which was the beginning of the church period foretold by the Lord Jesus in Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18). It began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47,1-447Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4)) and continues until the rapture which is the coming of the Lord Jesus as the Bridegroom for His bride (Matt. 25:1-101Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:1‑10), 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). Also in this heavenly glory will be a great company called "the friends of the Bridegroom" (John 3:2929He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29)), who have a heavenly portion but are not part of the bride. These are the Old Testament believers who died in faith previous to the day of Pentecost (Heb. 11:39,40,12:23) with all the martyrs of the tribulation period (see Rev. 20:44And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)) and babies who died before the age of accountability (Matt. 18:11,1411For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)
14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)). All these will have glorified celestial bodies (1 Cor. 15:4040There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. (1 Corinthians 15:40)) fashioned like Christ's glorious body (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)).
The earthly company will be those of faith who were on the millennial earth and who will enter the eternal earth with glorified terrestrial bodies as their eternal abode (1 Cor. 15:4040There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. (1 Corinthians 15:40)).
It is all summed up in 1 Cor. 15:24-2824Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24‑28). "Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet, But when lie saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued under Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."
When it says here "that God may be all in all", it refers to God in trinity. God the Father had purposed this final scene of eternal blessing. God the Son came to do His Father's will and to accomplish the work of redemption which is the foundation of all blessing. The Holy Spirit is the power by which all is accomplished, as we read in Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14), "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
How wonderful that God should reveal His eternal purposes to us and bring us in to enjoy all that is in His heart, in association with Christ, as His bride for all eternity.
"How blest are we who have a part
In the immortal song;
Wonder and joy become our heart,
And praise and thanks our tongue."
Hymn 335 L.F.
When we read all these wonderful things in God's precious Word, the Bible, it fills our hearts with wonder and praise when we think of His marvelous grace that has blessed us so abundantly. Surely these seven dispensations reveal the wretchedness of our natural hearts, and how we have failed in every test. God's purpose was our blessing, but the cost was great.
God in love sent His beloved Son to bear our sins in His own body on the cross of Calvary (1 Peter 2:24,2524Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24‑25)) and has secured our eternal blessing through this glorious work of redemption. May we praise Him more, and may we show our gratitude by living to please the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
If the one who reads these lines is unsaved we beg you to come now to the Lord Jesus and receive His gracious pardon for all your sins through His precious blood, and you will share in the home He has prepared for His redeemed people.
G.H.H.
"Decide for Christ today,
And God's salvation see,
Yield soul and body heart and will
To Him, who died for thee."
Echoes of Grace 79
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