THE DISPENSATIONS
Dr. O. WILBURN SWAIM Th.D
www.angelfire.com/nc/exhortationplace docswaim@hotmail.comDispensationalism is necessitated by:
History:
Contrast Matthew 10:5-14, with 28:18-20, and Luke 22:35,36.
The Place they were to preach (Mt 10:5,6 w/ 28:19;
The Message they were to preach (Mt 10:7 w/ 28:19;
The Provision they were to make (Mt 10:10-14 w/ Lk 22:35,36.
Paul’s Doctrine of Christ’s Return:
Signs (Mt 24:3,30 w/ no signs in the Epistles).
The Message Proclaimed (Mt 24:14 w/ I Cor 14:3,4).
Some left and some taken. But, to where? (Mt 24:39-41, 13:41 w/ I Thess 4:13-17)
Who shall Witness the Event (24:27,30 w/ I Jhn 3:2).
Dt 30:1-10
II Sam 7:16
Jer 31:31-37; 33:24-26
Ezk 37:21-28
Rom 11:1, 2a, 25-29
Bowman's Basic Tenets of Dispensational Theology (Dr. Hoyle Bowman, Piedmont Bible College, Winston-Salem, NC, Theology Notes):
1. Literal Interpretation of Scripture.
2. Clear Distinction between the Church and Israel.
3. Israel's/Abraham's Covenant Promises to be fulfilled in the Millennium.
4. Pretribulational Rapture of the Church.
5. Futuristic fulfillment of Daniel's Seventieth Week.
6. Premillennial Return of Christ.
Ryrie's (DISPENSATIONALISM TODAY, Dr. Charles Ryrie, Moody Press, 1966, pp. 38-41):
1. Distinction Between Church and Israel.
2. Literal Interpretation of Scripture.
3. Primary Purpose of God is His Glory.
Revised (DISPENSATIONALISM, 1995, pp. 146-149):
1. Consistent Hermeneutical Principle
2. Fulfillment of OT Prophecies
3. Clear and Consistent Distinction between Israel and the Church
4. Pretribulation Rapture
5. Millennial Kingdom an integral part of the Dispensational Scheme
Progressive Dispensationalism (DISPENSATIONALISM, Ryrie, p.164):
1. The Kingdom of God is the unifying theme of biblical history.
2. Within biblical history there are four dispensational eras.
3. Christ has already inaugurated the Davidic reign in heaven...though he not yet reigns...on earth....
4. Likewise, the new covenant has already been inaugurated, though its blessings are not yet fully realized until the Millennium.
5. The concept of the church as completely distinct from Israel and as a mystery unrevealed in the Old Testament needs revising, making the ideal of two purposes and two peoples of
God invalid.
6. A complementary hermeneutic must be used alongside a literal hermeneutic. This means that the New Testament makes complementary changes to Old Testament promises
without jettisoning those original promises.
7. The one divine plan of holistic redemption encompasses al people and all areas of human life--personal, societal, cultural, and political.
DISPENSATION:
1. As Defined in Scripture (Luke 16:2-8).
a. Commitment(1).
b. Corruption(1).
c. Chastisement(2).
d. Correction(5-8).
2. As Defined by Statement:
A period of time in which God commits to man a distinctive stewardship (certain responsibilities, or rules by which to live), and calls man to judgment as to his faithfulness
(obedience) to the stewardship (the rules set forth).
Dispensation, is:
"oikos" = house; "nomos" = law, hence, law of the house.
"oikonomos" = the manager of household affairs, the person
(Lk 16:1).
"oikonomia" = the management thereof, the office entrusted
by one to one who must give account (Lk 16:2). Cf. Lk.
12:42; I Cor 4:1,2; Gal 4:2; Rom. 16:23; Tit. 1:7 and I
Pt. 4:10.
Two Dispensations are named, some contend it is simply Paul's assertion of his own personal stewardship, after the fashion of I Cor. 9:17. But viewed as actual dispensations, they are:
A. Eph. 3:2, the Dispensation of Grace.
B. Eph. 1:10 the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.
Two Dispensations must be recognized: Law and Grace (John 1:17 and Gal. 3:23-25).
The Law had a beginning (Gal. 3:19), so some Dispensation must have preceded it. This necessitates accepting three Dispensations.
Note Genesis 8:21,22, where two dispensations are identified, and a third inferred. Verse 21a, "I will not again curse the ground…," clearly refers to the end point of the Dispensation of Innocence. Verse 21b, "…neither will I again smite…," is clearly the end point of the Dispensation of Conscience. Verse 22 then points to a future time, necessitating a succeeding dispensation.
Eph. 1:21 clearly shows that another age will follow the present one, and both are named (see above). We can then insist on the acceptance of at least four Dispensations.
Three additional periods can be ascertained as based upon differing rules of order (i.e., Eden, Post-Eden, Post-Flood. These then total to seven Dispensations.
Since the call of Abram is a markedly different order from the Post-flood era (ending with the Tower of Babel), and obviously continues until the time of the Exodus, we can then recognize the limits and character of that period as the dispensation preceding The Law.
The end of Dispensation number six is abruptly followed by the one prophesied in Eph. 1:10, as indicated by verse 21, so we find no room for one in between. Hence, are established seven Dispensations--no more, no less.
The DISPENSATIONS:
I. INNOCENCE (Gen. 1:26 - 3:21).
A. Commitment (1:26-30; 2:15-17). Adam is given the responsibility of tending and guarding
the garden, with the inclusion of one restriction.
B. Corruption (3:1-7). Eve succumbs to temptation. Adam willfully violates God's rule (I Tim.
2:14).
C. Chastisement (3:8-19). The curses are pronounced. Man is banished from his beautiful
home and comes under the sentence of death.
D. Correction (3:21, 22). God provides for condemned man.
II. CONSCIENCE (Gen. 3:21 - 7:1).
A. Commitment (3:23) Society is allowed to continue (the commitment made in disp. #1 continues on [3:20,23; 4:1]) without heavenly interference (3:14-19; the curses continue on).
B. Corruption (4:1-5). (Note: Gen. 6:5,11,12).
1. Religiously--the way of Cain, (Jude 11).
2. Morally (society) 4:16-26).
3. Domestically (6:1-5; note 4:19).
C. Chastisement (6:6,7,13). The Flood.
D. Correction (6:8,14; 7:1). Noah and family spared.
III. HUMAN GOVERNMENT (Gen. 9:6 - 12:1).
(Gen 8:21 itemizes first two dispensations.)
A. Commitment (9:1-19).
1. Moral Law: Thou shalt not kill.
2. Civil Law: Whosoever kills will be killed.
B. Corruption.
1. Morally (9:20-23).
2. Civilly (11:1-4).
C. Chastisement.
1. Morally (9:24,25).
2. Civilly (11:5-9).
D. Correction (12:1). God put the nations on ice (Dr. Stevens), sparing the race from the
dangers they faced through their advanced knowledge without the controls of God and
moral standards.
(The existence of these three Dispensations is clearly demonstrated in Gen. 8:21,22; 9:1.)
IV. PROMISE (Gen. 12:1 - Exo. 14).
A. Commitment (Gen. 12-28; Exo. 2:24).
He then called out the one through whom He would bring salvation to the nations and to the individual (Gen. 12:1-3). Note I Kings 8:60,61 concerning the idea of "witness."
1. Conditionally Promised (12:1-3).
2. Covenanted without Conditions (13:14-18) Note Jud. 2:1.
3. Cut (15:1-21).
4. Confirmed and Expanded (17:4-27).
5. Continued in Isaac (26:1-5,24).
6. Continued in Jacob (28:13-15).
7. Continuing Effective in Egypt (Exo. 2:24).
B. Corruption (Gen. 11 - 46).
1. Abram (11:31-16:4):
a. Leaves Haran with Lot & Family (11:31; 12:15).
b. Leaves Land of Promise (12:10-29).
c. Leaves Egypt with Hagar (16:1).
d. Leaves God's will to please Sarai (16:1-4).
2. Lot (13:5-19:2)(While not a part of the promise, he nevertheless would have enjoyed the
blessings thereof had he chosen to stay with Abram, providing God had allowed him to
stay).
a. Loathes the Blessings of Abram (13:5-9).
b. Longs for the Plains of Jordan (13:10,11).
c. Lives in Wicked Sodom (13:12 w/ 19:2).
3. Isaac (26:1-27:45):
a. Leaves the Land (26:1-6).
b. Lies about His Wife (26:7-16).
c. Loses His Children (26:34,35; 27:43-45).
4. Jacob (28:10-46:4):
a. Flees to Haran (28:10).
b. Forced to Egypt (46:1-4).
C. Chastisement (Gen. 12:15 - 50:26; Exo. 1-11).
1. Abraham (Gen. 12:15; 21:9).
a. Wife Taken from Him (12:15).
b. War between His Offspring (21:9).
2. Lot (13:14-19:24).
a. Loses Blessing of Abram (13:14-18).
b. Loses Testimony (19:24).
c. Loses All He Chose (19:24).
d. Loses His Family (19:26-38).
3. Isaac (26-28) A sad, trouble filled family life.
a. Deterrent to God's Plan (25:23)
b. Disunity in His Marriage (25:28)
c. Devastated by Esau (26:34; 27:46; 28:8,9)
d. Deceived by Jacob (27:12,23)
4. Jacob (29-Exo. 11).
a. Bondage in Haran (29:18).
b. Bondage in Egypt (Exo. 1).
D. Correction (Exo. 12-14).
V. Law (Exo. 19:8-Mt. 27).
A. Commitment (Exo. 19:1-8; 20:20).
B. Corruption (Jer. 31:32).
1. Unbelief of Israel in the Wilderness (Exo. 32; Num. 14:22). 2. Disobedience of Israel in the Land (Judges 1;2,13; II Chr. 36:15).
3. Rejection of Israel in the Time of Christ (Mt. 21:33-46; 27:22).
C. Chastisement.
1. Death of that Generation (Num. 14:26-34).
2. Delivered unto their Enemies (Judges 2:14; II Chron. 36:17-21).
3. Desolation of their Homeland (Lk. 21:20-24).
D. Correction.
1. Reprieve for the Younger Generation (Num. 14:31).
2. Return from the Captivity (II Chr. 36:22,23).
3. Reestablishment Promised (Acts 3:17-26; Rom. 11:25-27).
VI. GRACE.
A. Commitment (Based on the three-fold classification of I Cor. 10:32):
1. Jews commanded to Repent (Acts 2:38). He is CHRIST, Messiah.
2. Gentiles commanded to Confess (Rom 10:9,10). He is JESUS, Saviour.
3. Church commanded to Go (Mt. 28:19,20). He is LORD, Our Head.
Note: It must also be considered that the Church, as the "pillar and ground of the Truth" (I Tim. 3:15b), has a commitment concerning doctrine, and that much apostasy has arisen (Acts 20:29,30; II Tim. 4:3,4; etc.). The commitment to the Church must involve Doctrine, as well as Godliness, Holy Living and Discipling (evangelism and missions). But the basic COMMITMENT is to witness Christ to the world. However, it will not be done unless all these other elements are properly in place. So, the ultimate includes all that goes with it. These considerations carry over to the remaining applicable parts of the outline.
B. Corruption.
1. Jews Continue to Rebel (Acts 28:27). Note Acts 3:19-26; Rom. 10:1-3.
2. Gentiles Callused toward the Gospel (II Thess. 1:8). Note Acts 16,17; II Thess. 2; and,
Jude, verses 14-16.
3. Church is Careless concerning Her Mission (I Cor. 15:34).
C. Chastisement.
1. Jews, in The Tribulation Period (Mt. 24:15-22). Note Jer. 30:7,11; Dan. 7,8 and 12:1.
2. Gentiles, at The Return of Christ (Joel 3:9-16; II Thess. 1:6-10). Note II Cor. 5:10; Rom.
14:11,12.
3. The Church, in the:
a. Present Chastisement of this Age (Heb. 12:6). Note I Cor. 3:17; 5:5; 6:18; 9:27;
11:30; and Heb. 12:6.
b. Future Loss of Rewards at the Bema Seat (I Cor. 3:15). Note II Jhn. 8; Rev. 3:11.
(Also, John unveils God's judgment on the apostate religious system that today
masquerades as Christianity, and which through the ecumenical movement shall
develop into the Scarlet Beast of Revelation 17, to be destroyed by Anti-Christ.)
D. Correction.
1. Jewish Remnant is Spared (Isa. 10:20-22). Note Isa. 37:32; Ezk. 37:34-38.
2. Gentile Multitude Saved during the Tribulation (Rev. 7:9).
3. Church is Raptured, Rewarded and Married to Christ (I Cor. 3:14; Rev. 19:7,8).
VII.KINGDOM.
A. Commitment.
by Dr. Dwight Pentecost):
a.Converted and restored to the land (Jer. 32:37-41).
b.Reunited as a nation (Jer. 3:18; Ezk. 37:15-22).
c.Related to Jehovah by marriage (Hos. 2:2, 17-20).
d.Exalted above the Gentiles (Dt. 28:13) Note Isa 2:2; 40,41.
e.Made righteous (Ezk. 36:25-27). Note Isa. 60:3; 62:2.
f.God's witness (Isa. 44:8; Isa. 2:3). Note Isa. 43:13,21; Ezk. 34:30; 36:36; Psa. 79:9-13.
g.Glory of Jehovah (Isa. 62:1-3).
2. Gentiles shall find peace under the reign of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (cp. Joel
3:10 w/Isa. 2:2-4). Note Zech. 9:9,10.
3. Church Reigns with Christ (Rev. 20:6). Note II Tim. 2:12.
B. Corruption (Rev. 20:7-9a).
1. THERE, FINALLY, IS NO CORRUPTION WITHIN ISRAEL!
Read Dt. 30:1-10. They will fulfill the "If" of verse 10. Why? See Jer. 31:33,34 w/
Ezk. 36:16-38.
2. Gentiles in natural bodies will bear children. They shall rise in rebellion (Isa. 65:20b;
Rev. 20:7-9a).
3. No Corruption in the Bride of Christ (Rev. 19:8; 20:6).
C. Chastisement (Rev. 20:9b-15; Isa. 66:24).
D. Correction (Rev. 21,22).
The dispensations were so ordered that men could live under every practical kind of rule and condition. From rigid law, to blessed peacefulness in both Eden and the millennium, man failed. He is without excuse. The dispensations affirm that the corrupt nature of man is not able to please God, regardless of his environment. There must be a change of nature through the new birth. Man will have no excuse before God. He cannot say that he would have done better than Adam.