UNITED, YET DIVIDED
10
A church for every sphere
There is a church connected with the promises concerning `the kingdom of heaven', which has its sphere in the
earth in the millennial kingdom. There is a church connected with the covenant made with Abraham, chosen since
the foundation of the world, which has its sphere in the heavens and in the new Jerusalem. There is also a church
connected with a promise made before the foundation of the world, revealed only to Paul in `the mystery', called
`the one Body', which has its sphere in the `heavenly places' or `super-heavenlies' (Eph. 1:19-23; 2:6).
Chapter 9
THE VARIOUS DISPENSATIONS
Something special
This `present evil age', characterized by the presence of sin and death, extends from Adam until the millennial
kingdom. While it is one in essential character, it is sub-divided into different periods called dispensations,
according as God introduced different ways of dealing with mankind. The following does not pretend to be without
fault, but it will indicate to the reader some of the outstanding divisions which he must observe if he would `rightly
divide the Word of truth'.
Each has something distinctive
Tracing the great purpose of the Bible as it develops under Adam, Noah, Moses and others, we find the
following:
THE DISPENSATIONS
1st.
The six days' creation to Adam's fall.
2nd.
From the fall of Adam to the flood.
3rd.
From the renewed world to the call of Abraham.
4th.
From the call of Abraham to the Exodus from Egypt.
5th.
From the Exodus to the entrance into Canaan.
6th.
From Canaan to setting up of the kingdom.
7th.
From David to the Babylonian captivity.
8th.
From the captivity to the birth of Christ.
9th.
From the birth to the death and resurrection of Christ.
10th.
From the day of Pentecost to Israel's rejection in Acts 28.
11th.
The prison ministry of Paul called `the dispensation of the mystery'.
12th.
Commences with the recognition of Israel and is characterized by wrath. The bulk of the Book of
Revelation.
13th.
The millennial kingdom.
14th.
The period that intervenes between the millennium and the great white throne.
15th.
Creation again. `The new creation'; `God all in all'. No more sin, death, pain or curse.
It is very evident that to observe a change of dispensation is of the utmost importance in studying the Scriptures.
Things that were true before the Fall, would be untrue after it. Things that were true before the Law would not be
true after it, and so throughout the dispensations.