It has been the invariable method of God to take occasion from every successive failure of the creature, more clearly to manifest His own perfections. While doing so, He has brought Himself nearer to man, and has at the same time progressively increased man’s responsibility. The failure has ever been from man’s waywardness, while the glory of getting good out of evil has been God’s sole prerogative. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,” while true in individual blessing to God’s elect, it is especially true in each successive dispensation. This extends all the way from the fall of man to “the fullness of time in which God sent forth His Son,” and awaits a fuller development “in the dispensation of the fullness of times,” when He shall “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 Progression of Dispensations
The progress of the divine dispensations is thus summarily stated by the apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews — “God having spoken in many parts and in many ways formerly to the fathers in the prophets, at the end of these days has spoken to us in the person of the Son” (Heb. 1:11God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (Hebrews 1:1)-2 JnD). The contrast here is not merely between the prophets and the Son, but also between the fullness of the manifestation of God in the Son compared with the partial character of previous manifestations. They were but piecemeal. At one time there was a revelation of mercy, at another of power, at another of faithfulness; and in ways too that were indicative of their obscurity — in a vision, or a dream. But Jesus was “the brightness of His glory” (Heb. 1:33Who 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)).
This progress has been to greater intimacy (if the expression may reverently be used) between God and man. He was known to the fathers by the name of “God Almighty” (Ex. 6:33And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. (Exodus 6:3)). To the Israelites He was made known by His name “Jehovah,” a holy and jealous God. The latest testimony to them was that of John the Baptist, and then another dispensation was announced. “The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:1616The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luke 16:16)). But the dispensation might not pass without the vindication of God’s wisdom in it, that it was holy, just and good. Christ took it up, and what in man had failed was in Him magnified.
The Vindication of the Law
Having established His claim to be “the Just One,” He further vindicated God in the law by undergoing its awful curse; and thus set it aside. It is important to remark that the old dispensation was completely set aside, not renovated or altered. But before the kingdom of God is set up in power, an opportunity was afforded by the death of Christ and the fulfillment of the law, for a further display of the character of God. Eventually (in the millennial day) there will be the exercise of active power and retributive justice in His kingdom by Him who is worthy to receive power.
This intermediate dispensation is that in which we are. “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). In order for there to be the public manifestation of God’s grace, it was needful for man to be exhibited in his utter helplessness and apostasy, but likewise for the law to be set aside. Now we see God set forth in Christ as “reconciling the world unto Himself;” and instead of keeping sinners at a distance from Him, “preaching peace by Jesus Christ.”
In this way those who are drawn by God’s grace are to exhibit the presence of God in the world. How is God manifested in nearness to man now? In Israel He was manifested to be near them by His protection, but it is not so now. The dispensation is changed from active righteousness to grace; God is letting fallen man alone, by not interfering now in vengeance on sinners. But God, in all the nearness of grace, is actually less acknowledged than in all the distance the law had made between Him and man.
God with Us – God in Us
The reason is obvious. God’s presence was then manifest to sense, but now in the power of deliverance from the world. So long as Jesus remained on earth, the presence of God was felt if not acknowledged; “God was manifest in the flesh.” It was, however, expedient for His disciples that He should go away — expedient for them! Was it possible for them to have God nearer to them than to have His presence, whose name was “Immanuel, God with us”? Yes, this was even possible, and therefore, it was expedient that Jesus should ascend. But this also was in order to bring in further nearness of God to man. Having had God with him, he was now to have God in him.
“Therefore being ... exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:3333Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)). There was the word made good, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you” (John 14:16-1716And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16‑17)). Here, then, is the progress of God’s manifestation, marked indeed not only by outward power, but more by His presence pressing itself on the consciences of men. Here we have brought out clearly the marvel of God’s dealing with the world in grace, and yet showing Himself in His saints as “the righteous Lord [that] loveth righteousness” (Psa. 11:77For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. (Psalm 11:7)).
The Holy Spirit
If God is not here, where is He? And hence the deep and solemn importance of being sound in the faith of the deity and personality of the Holy Ghost. “The Holy Ghost was not yet given: because that Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)). Surely the Holy Spirit was always the agent of testimony and grace, even in the Old Testament, for Stephen could say, “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:5151Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)). But now He is given, and dwells on earth. The understanding of this unfolds the character and blessing of the present dispensation.
J. L. Harris (adapted)