Bible Studies

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In theology, a dispensation is a period of Biblical history that has a starting point and an ending point, in time. Each dispensation is like a chapter in a book. As we turn the pages, we can see the unfolding of God’s plan and purpose for having created and sustaining the human race.

Dictionaries define confusion as the lack of understanding and or uncertainty.

The phrase dispensational confusion refers to the lack of understanding when it comes to the plan for each separate dispensation in the unfolding of God’s Master Plan for the human race.

As we will see, the source of confusion in the spiritual realm is the devil, and those who willingly or unwittingly promote his agenda. One cannot very well fulfill the plan of God if one does not know what the plan is for the dispensation that one has been placed.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6 NASB2020).”

Satan’s alternatives are designed to appeal to the fallen nature within us. In some cases, they are designed to appear to be what God requires of us.

After being deceived (1), the woman (Eve) ate of the forbidden fruit, believing that it would improve things for her and Adam.

Just as the devil had a plan to steer Man away from what God had planned for them in the Garden, the devil has a plan to do the same in regards to the plan that God has in mind for each dispensation of human history. The divine purpose for the creation of the human race was, as creatures being given free-will, Man could choose to bring glory to God in the midst of an ongoing battle between divine and satanic forces.

This conflict began in Heaven within the angelic realm before the creation of Man, but presently runs concurrently with human history with Man taking center stage.

The Fall of Man did not take God by surprise. We know this because the solution to it was in the mind of God BEFORE the creation of the world and BEFORE Man came on the scene (2).

Each dispensation brings the human race all that closer to the end of this conflict and the establishment of the new heaven and earth (3) that will be forever free from such things as sin, suffering, pain, and death. But this will not take place until the worst period of human history (4) has come and gone!

Satan is well aware of his eventual incarceration in what the Bible calls the lake of fire, but he will not be there alone (5). God has a specific plan for His people in each dispensation. Satan has a specific strategy to oppose these plans. It is the promoting of this diabolical opposition that raises controversies and generates confusion WITHIN the Christian Community.

In order to identify the alternative plans of the opposition, one must know what God’s plans are for the dispensation in which he or she is living. Again, the devil’s alternatives are designed to appeal to the fallen nature in Man, and or to appear to have come from God.

We are living in the dispensation of the Church Age. The dispensation of the Church Age began around 33AD at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem (6), shortly after our Lord’s Ascension (7). The dispensation of the Church Age will come to its end (8) when the last generation(s) of the Church is raptured away (9).
This end will take place when the Church finishes the Matt. 28: 19, 20 work that it was given to do, here in the dispensation of the Church Age. Each generation of the Church, that God designed, does its part and then passes the torch down to the next generation.

The end of the Church Age dispensation is NOT the end of the Church, nor is it the end of world history. At the Rapture, the last generation(s) of the Church here on Earth will be taken away to Heaven where they will be united with the departed believers of past generations.

The entire Church will later return to Earth with the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent.

“… so we (The Church) will always be with the Lord (1Thesss. 4: 17 NAS 2020 parenthesis mine).”

The Second Advent takes place at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation dispensation.

Edified believers can see how the end of one dispensation opens the door to the next..

We, as Church Age, born-again believers, are here to do our INDIVIDUAL (10) part in the mission our Lord gave His Church to do. This plan calls for the evangelization of unbelievers and or the edification of fellow believers, with whom Church Age believers interact with, on a daily or regular basis at home, work, or play.

Be it at home, work, or play, if you are a follower of Christ, there is evangelical and edifying work for YOU to do. This is why God has placed His ambassadors in virtually every walk and activity of life!

For example, as a policeman, I interacted with people under some of the best and under some of the worst kinds of circumstances that life here in this world has to offer. In many cases, it provided me with many 1Pet. 3: 15 opportunities.

God gives His ambassadors many opportunities to do the same while we converse with each other every day.

Sad to say, but many who claim to be followers of Christ (Christians) would have a hard time recalling when the last time it was that they actually shared the Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Scripture, with anyone outside of their own comfort zone consisting of like-minded acquaintances. Such nominal “Christians” have been deceived or distracted by the devil whom has neutralized them on the battlefield of spiritual combat.

Participating in the Great Commission does not mean we have to go around looking for someone to evangelize or to edify. If we are living a godly life, inquirers will come to us with their questions. We are to be prepared and ready to give the answer they need to hear (11).

 In addition to participating in the general plan, God has a specific, individual gift and an accompanying ministry (area of service) for each one of us to identify, develop, and execute. The mistake that many Christians make is that they choose a position or an area of service THEY want to pursue, and then ask (or even expect) God to bless it. It is God that makes these 1Cor. 12: 18 choices and assignments.

I can tell you from personal experience, when one discovers what the individual part and ministry that God has in mind for him or her, it will fit like a tailor-made glove, and will become the primary focus of his or her attention on a daily basis.

Larger ministries have ushers, parking attendants, audio-visual technicians, and custodians. Each area of service contributes to providing attendees with an environment that is user friendly and conducive for worship and learning.

Therefore, “. . . the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you (1Cor. 12: 21 NASB2020).”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, and every born again believer is a part of the body.
. . .

Knowledge of what God’s general plans were for past dispensations, and what His general plans are for future dispensations, is educational, informative, and inspiring, but does not accomplish the work that Church Age believers were given to do NOW!

"Go, therefore, and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (by) teaching them to follow (believe/obey) all (the unadulterated Gospel Message and Biblical principles) that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28: 19-20 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”

Followers of Christ communicate the information by their words and actions.

Most  communication is non-verbal, setting the example, opening the doors of opportunity.

God does the rest (12).

In closing, let’s share a piece of humble pie.

“So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth (1Cor. 3: 7)) NASB2020).

End of Part One
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(1) Gen. 3: 6, 13 (2) Eph. 1: 4 (3) Rev. 21: 1, 4 (4) Matt. 24: 22 (5) Rev. 20: 10, 15 (6) Acts 2: 1 (7) Acts 1: 9 (8) Matt. 24: 14 (9) 1Thess. 4: 16, 17 (10) 1Cor. 12: 18 (11) 1Pet. 3: 15. (12) Eph. 4:30/Titus 3: 5/Matt. 3: 11/John 14:26/etc.

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