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Dispensations Part 4 - The Mystery. Zechariah 9:9-10 is another
passage that demonstrates how there are gaps in time in certain verses. Usually, it’s where the first
statement made has been or is being fulfilled at the time of the writing (Zech 9:9), while the latter part is a future event that sometimes takes hundreds or
thousands of years to fulfil (Zech 9:10). In some cases, scripture that has yet to be fulfilled and falls into the realm of prophecy yet to happen. The
fourth dispensation being studied is unique in that it fills a huge gap between Acts 28:28 and the return of Elijah, yet this gap was never before revealed
in scripture. The Dispensation of Grace we presently reside within, is called by the Apostle Paul “The Mystery” because it was a sacred secret hidden in
God before the foundation of the world. It wasn’t until Paul was given this special ministry to reveal it after Acts 28:28 when Israel as a nation was set
aside until a future restoration with Elijah. The mystery is no longer a “mystery” since it has been revealed in the last
seven books Paul wrote (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). In the Mystery, we find that Christ is all in all and we are complete in Him. As Ephesians 4:4-6 says Eph 4:4-6 (KJV) “There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” In this dispensation, the message is “to the gentiles” and the gentiles are
responsible not only to hear it but also make pass it on. Christ is our hope and once we are saved, we lack nothing as we
are complete in Him. AS Col 3:1-3 (KJV) reminds us “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are
dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Chris is our hope! Click here to listen now.
Dispensations - Part 5
. Right Division is crucial to understanding scripture and the different administrations (or dispensations) of God. The lesson on 10-13
-2002 continues with a series of lessons studying the seven primary dispensations in scripture and begins to describe the last three dispensations that follow the Mystery (The Mystery is the fourth dispensation period and is our present Age of Grace). One of the
biggest challenges in learning the attributes of each dispensation is understanding the context of the scripture written
during that dispensation, who it is written to and when it is applicable. Some truth’s are eternal yet some are only for that
specific timeframe. For instance, God uses each dispensation to demonstrate that the only way back to God is through
Christ (an eternal truth). However, we don’t practice animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin (applicable under the
Law). Further, there are gaps in scripture that have a future fulfillment. This is especailly true with the gap that was filled
with The Mystery. The Mystery was hidden in God before the foundation of the world, and was not part of any old
testament scripture. The Mystery fills the gap between the 3rd and 5th dispensations. There was an imminent hope that
was present at the close of the 3rd dispensation but the revelation of The Mystery by the Apostle Paul put the hope of the
third dispensation on hold. Once the close of our present dispensation occurs, then the remaining dispensations pick up
where the third one left off. Understanding this gap will enable the principles of right division to help you be approved unto God.
Click here to listen to Part 5 of this dispensational study. The lesson has a handout as well which you may download right here.
Dispensations - Part 6
. Most Christians may know that there are 66 books in the bible with 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. We have learned that
all of those books are for our learning but all of it is not to us. The problem we find with christianity today is that most of christiandom teaches that all of
scripture (or a large part of it) is to us and treat it like a combination salad. The seven primary dispensations are
characterized by 1) a subdivision of the ages; 2) God’s revealed message, and 3) God’s ordained messenger (Hebrews
1:1-2a). The lesson on 10-20-2002 finishes the dispensational study and wraps up the final three dispensations. The last
three dispensations cover most of the events of prophecy that have yet to be fulfilled. This includes studies on the Last Days of the Revealed plan (click here to find studies about the Last Days). This study refers to the Four Days in Scripture
and teaches on how the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord overlap as Christ begins to rule from the Heavens preparing
for the Day of the Lord. The lesson wraps up with the final dispensation of Eternity where it’s hinted in Psalms that this
dispensation lasts for 40 thousand generations, or 40,000 years! If you would like to view all of the audio lessons
covering dispensations in this series, click here to go there now. Click here to listen to the lesson on 10-20-2002.
Be sure and download the handout as well since this handout is an updated one from the previous week and services as a good reference tool for all of the lessons.
A Halloween Story.
This time of year, it has become a popular tradition to celebrate
Halloween with the promotion of all things “scarry”. On the surface, most folks like to dress up
children and have them go door to door and receive either “tricks” or “treats”. Yet, the truth
behind the halloween holiday is the promotion of evil that is against God. To the christian, there
is nothing more scarry than being apart from God. Ephesians 2:11-12 (KJV) reminds us
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at
that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” At one time,
gentiles were without hope and without God in the world. This is a very scarry position. Yet
God provided a way for gentiles to be saved. As Ephesians 2:13 (KJV) declares “But now in
Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” Today,
Christ has provided the only way to be reconciled to God, yet there are those who have yet to
accept the best “treat” of all: eternal life in Christ... Now that’s scarry. Click here to listen to the
lesson on 10-27-02. Follow this link if you want to learn more about Halloween.
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