A Dispensational Approach To The Bible!
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (11 Tim. 2:15).
In Eph 2 the Apostle Paul sets forth the basic three-fold division
in God’s dealing with mankind: Time Past (vs 11,12), But Now v. 13),
the Ages to Come (v. 7). When the Bible is “laid out” according to this
divinely inspired design we easily get an overview of not only that we
are reading but when and to whom it was written. Thus the Word of God
itself provides us with the key to its own proper understanding and
right division:
Time Past: Eph. 2:11-12 sets forth the basic issue in Time Past as
the division between the Circumcision and the Uncircumcision, between
the nation Israel and the Gentiles. When you find this issue governing
the way God was working with man, you know you are in Time Past. This
covers the “Old Testament” (see Gen. 17:9-14. Deut. 4:5-8, Num. 23:9) as
well as Matthew thru John (see Rom. 15:8, Matt. 105-6; 15:24; John 4:22
and the early Acts period (see Luke 24:47, Acts 1:6-8;
2:14,22,36:5:32:11:19).
But Now: Eph. 2:13 indicates that in the But Now portion Gentiles
are no longer “far off” but rather the “middle wall of partition”
between Israel and the Gentiles has been eliminated and now “those who
were far off are made nigh.” Romans thru Philemon provide the doctrine
for the dispensation of grace (Rom. 11:13; 15:16; 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:37,
Eph. 3:1-9).
The Ages to Come: God will bring His purposes to fruition and thus
Eph. 2:7 points to the Ages to Come. The books of Hebrews thru
Revelation focus on this.
The chart below will demonstrate the importance of the secret,
hidden nature of the present dispensation of grace (Eph. 3:1-9). Click
on the dispensation chart below hide the “mystery” section and you will
see the perfect continuity of that “which God hath spoken by the mouth
of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). The chart
will reveal the mystery program and you will visualize how the prophetic
program has been temporarily interrupted by “the revelation of the
mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made
manifest” (Rom. 16:25-26).
The present dispensation of grace is “the mystery” hid in God until
first revealed to the Apostle Paul (Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1”24-26, Rom.
16:25-26, 1 Tim. 2:4-7, Tit. 1:2-3, etc.) Thus in Paul’s writings alone
we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of the body of Christ.
Remember: While all Scripture is for us, all Scripture is not written
to or about us, all Scripture is not written to or about us. This is
the key to understanding the Bible.
Rightly Dividing The Word (Chart)
http://paulsgracemessage.org/rightly.htm
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