Dispensationalism - Identifying Dispensational Context (Part III)

Dispensationalism: The Study of How God Deals With Mankind Throughout Time Lesson 03_New_Draft_06: Identifying Dispensational Context 

Introduction: 

We’re conducting a study of how God deals with mankind.
It doesn't take a genius to see that Bible history records changes in God’s dealing with man. Biblical Historical Examples (that illustrate changes in God’s dealing). 

• First, we see man in the Garden of Eden and then we see him driven out of the Garden of Eden. – God’s treatment changed. 
• We see man before the flood and after the flood. – God created man and then destroyed all but 8 people. Again, God’s treatment changed. After the flood, God changed his dealing and promised that he would not destroy man with a flood again. (see Genesis 9:11, 15) 
• We see Man before the law and under the law. – Romans 5 tells us sin was not imputed from Adam to Moses. The Law was a change. Sin imputed. Sacrifice required. (Leviticus 17:11). 
• We see man during the life of Jesus Christ. God’s treatment changed. Jesus Christ came to earth in the flesh. 
• We see the change from the Old Testament to the New Testament after Jesus’ Atoning Death on the cross. 
• Scripture Examples (that illustrate changes in God’s dealing). 
• Hebrews 8:6 (KJV) But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he 
• is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 
• Hebrews 8:7 (KJV) For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 
• Hebrews 7:22 (KJV) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 
• Colossians 1:26 (KJV) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from 
• generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 
• Bible believers have not identified every change or every Divine dealing, but it is plain to see from the Bible’s record of history, that changes occur within God’s dealing with mankind. 
• These different ways of dealing with mankind are referred to as dispensations. A dispensation, according to Webster and Oxford English Dictionaries, can have the general meaning of a way of administering or an economy or in the words we chose, “a way that God deals with mankind.” 
• I define a dispensation as a particular way in which God deals with man at a particular time. There is no way to separate changes in how God treats man from changes in time. Man, lives in time and God deals with man within a framework of time, so all God’s dealings with man involve a time element. 
• I define Dispensationalism as the study of how God deals with mankind. It’s a study of changes in God’s dealing with man. Dispensationalism is a problematic label. Really should be called Bible History: God’s Dealing with Mankind. 

Two qualifications of God’s interaction with mankind should be kept in mind:
1. God never mistreats anyone. God’s dealing with mankind may change but it is always 

just, upright, compassionate, and merciful.
Psalm 145:8-9 (KJV) The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of 

great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 

Psalm 145:17 (KJV) The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 

2. God’s Nature and Character never change. Although God’s methods or dispensations change, His Character and Nature do not. 

Malachi 3:6 (KJV) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

• Every believer that deals with this subject aims to rightly divide God’s dealings with mankind: 
• 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 
• Let’s pray and ask God for His help and guidance.
  The Bible is God’s revelation of history, and it reveals how God deals with mankind. When 
• studying this subject there are two basic positions a person can take towards the Bible: 

• Position One: The Bible means what it says. OR 

• Position Two: The Bible doesn’t mean what it says. 
• Position One: The Bible is to be understood in its proper context and believed. Position of Bible- believers. 
• OR 

• Position Two: The Bible needs to be properly interpreted. Position of Protestant Catholic and 

Roman Catholic Churches. 

SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME? 

• Those who believe the Bible means what it says and says what it means believe that God’s dealing with man changes or is dispensational. Because the Bible records God’s dealing with man changing, this also makes certain periods of time in Bible history transitional. Transitional simply means a change from one thing to another (one dispensation or manner of dealing to another). 
• Those who believe the Bible doesn’t mean what it says believe that God’s dealing with mankind is without change. That all the Bible teaches the same thing when “rightly interpreted.” 
• IN OUR FIRST LESSON: 

• We studied God’s treatment of man: 

o In the Garden of Eden – Change! Man driven out. 

o Before the Flood – Change! Judgment of flood. 

o After the Flood – Change! Confusion of Languages. No more judgment of a flood (Genesis 9:11, 15). 

o Before the Law – Sin not imputed (Romans 5:13, 14).
o Under the Law – Change! Sin imputed. Sacrifices required (Leviticus 17:11) o During the life of Jesus Christ – Change! God manifested in the flesh.
o After the death of the Lord Jesus Christ – Change! New Testament in force. o Under the ministry of the Holy Spirit – Change! Holy Ghost given. John 7:39 

o These examples are not exhaustive. These are just some places where God’s dealing with mankind changes and its relatively easy to see and follow. God doesn’t treat everyone the same way. God doesn’t sin. God doesn’t mistreat anyone. God is always just and holy, but He doesn’t treat everyone the same. (i.e., some people got to see and handle the Lord Jesus Christ.) 

• We identified a main lesson of these various ways that God treated man as “God deals differently with different people at different times.” 

1. NOT ALL THE BIBLE IS ABOUT YOU (I PETER 1:10-11). 
2. NOT ALL THE BIBLE IS ABOUT THE SAME TIME (I PETER 1:9-11). 
3. WHAT’S TRUE AT ONE TIME MAY NOT BE TRUE AT ANOTHER (MATTHEW 24:33). 
4. WHAT’S TRUE FOR ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR ANOTHER (JOHN 4:22; ACTS 17:30). 
5. SCRIPTURE MAY APPLY AT ONE TIME BUT NOT AT ANOTHER (MATTHEW 16:20). 
6. EVERYPASSAGEOFSCRIPTUREHASAHISTORICALORPROPHETICAL (DISPENSATIONAL) CONTEXT (II CORINTHIANS 6:2). 
7. TRUTH REMOVED FROM ITS CONTEXT LEADS TO HERESY (II PETER 3:16). 

Dispensational Context will be defined as: A statement’s immediate or distant historical or prophetical setting or surroundings which indicate when in time a statement doctrinally applies. 

For example: 

Isaiah 2:4 (KJV) And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. When does this doctrinally apply? 

IN LESSON TWO WE IDENTIFIED 7 PRECEPTS OF DISPENSATIONALISM (OR BIBLE 

HISTORY). 

IN LESSON THREE WE WILL ATTEMPT TO LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY DISPENSATIONAL 

CONTEXT . 

Isaiah 65:25 (KJV) The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. When does this doctrinally apply? 

Ezekiel 34:25 (KJV) And I will make with them a covenant of peace and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. When does this doctrinally apply? 

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. When does this doctrinally apply? 

Acts 3:19-21 (KJV) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. When does this doctrinally apply? 

Answering this question involves identifying the dispensational context. 

1. Where is the statement or passage in question found in Scripture? 
2. Whenwasthisstatementspokenorwritten? 
3. To whom or about whom is the statement spoken or written? 
4. What is the subject matter of a statement or passage? 
5. When does this statement or passage apply? (This question and its answer might be considered the exact definition of Dispensational Context.) 
6. How is God dealing with man at the time in question? 
7. Does this match how God is dealing with mankind now (Pauline doctrine and behavior)? 

1. WHERE IS THE STATEMENT OR PASSAGE IN QUESTION FOUND IN SCRIPTURE? 

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Note: We believe all of the Bible is vital and applicable to the Christian, but this doesn’t change the fact that it must be viewed and understood and preached and taught in context.) 

There are at least seven structural divisions of the Bible that are significant and important to learn: 

IDENTIFYING DISPENSATIONAL CONTEXT INVOLVES ASKING AND ANSWERING SOME 

QUESTIONS: 

LET’S LOOK AT THESE SEVEN QUESTIONS AND HOW THEY HELP IDENTIFY 

DISPENSATIONAL CONTEXT: 

1. TheLaw 
2. The Prophets O. T . 
3. ThePsalms 
4. New Testament Historical books 
5. Church Epistles (Doctrinal and Practical) 
6. Hebrew Epistles 
7. Prophetical Book 

Application: 

Old Covenants – Primarily Israel in view. 

1. The Old Testament revelation is an incomplete revelation of God. God’s complete revelation to man was not finished until the Book of Revelation was completed. (Jehovah’s Witnesses claim the statement about death in Ecclesiastes 9:5 is a complete revelation. Not so. The revelation of God was not completed until the last book was finished. (A believer who uses the Old Testament must be aware that it is an incomplete revelation.) 
2. The Old Testament contains the Old Covenants. These were made primarily with Israel and contain requirements that have changed because of the New Testament. (A believer who uses the Old Testament must understand we are now under a different covenant.) 
3. TheNewTestamentHistoricalbooksrecordeventsandchangesthattakeplaceintime. Therefore, these books are transitional and fluid. (A believer who uses the New Testament Historical books must be aware that changes in doctrine and God’s dealing occur within these books and what’s true at one time may not be true at another time.) 
4. The Church Epistles are doctrinal and practical books regarding the doctrines of New Testament salvation and Christian behavior. “All Scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for...instruction in righteousness.” We use all Scripture, but this doesn’t negate the truth that God has provided specific books that are addressed to believers and teach precisely what New Testament believers are to believe and how they are to behave. (A believer who teaches accurately on the New Testament doctrines of salvation cannot ignore what these doctrinal books teach. At the same time a person attempting to teach or preach the doctrine of salvation and begins in a New Testament Historical book should be suspect until they demonstrate fidelity to New Testament Pauline doctrine.) 
5. The Hebrew Epistles are books that are particularly addressed to Jews or are written by Apostles that were specifically called or sent to minister to fellow Jews (Matthew 10:5,6; Acts 8:1; Galatians 2:9). I’m not suggesting that we don’t use these books but only that we understand these books were separated and grouped together by the Holy Spirit for a reason. A believer should be aware that these books (and Revelation) contain doctrinal indications that Tribulation salvation is different from salvation now. (During the Tribulation, enduring to the end, and not taking the mark, number, or name of the beast are conditions of salvation.) 
6. The Prophetical book of Revelation is a prophetical book that deals with periods of time in the future primarily involving Israel, 12 Jewish Tribes, a Name written in their foreheads, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Gentile nations are mentioned in Revelation, but the church is viewing these things from Heaven (Revelation 4:1). In other words, the focus of the book is on Israel and Gentile nations. A believer should be aware that this book could involve transitions, changes in God’s dealing just like a historical book, because in a real way, prophecy is history written or revealed in advance. 

N. T. 

New Covenant – Gentiles Included 

The point is; where a statement is found in Scripture is a factor in identifying the dispensational context. 

2. WHEN WAS THIS STATEMENT SPOKEN OR WRITTEN? (ACTS 10:13, 14) (Every Christian should cultivate a general knowledge of historical and prophetical (dispensational) settings.) 

Here are several historical and prophetical (dispensational) settings (there are several more): 

1. Eden – Walking with God. Live forever from the tree of life. 
2. Before the Law – No Law. Sin not imputed. 
3. Under the Law – Law given to Moses. Sin imputed. Sacrifices required (Leviticus 17:11). 
4. Life of Christ (OT) – Jesus born and living on earth, Old Testament. 
5. Death of Christ (NT) – Jesus died and rose from the dead, New Testament. 
6. Revelation of the Gospel of Christ to Paul (NT) – Gospel revealed to Paul. 
7. Church Epistles – Epistles written. New Testament doctrines and behavior revealed to Paul. 
8. Tribulation – Church gone. 144,000 Israelites with Father’s name written on their forehead. 
9. Millennium – Jesus Christ reigns on Earth with Son’s of God. 

When a statement is spoken or written is another factor in identifying the dispensational context. 

1. Was it spoken/written under the Old Covenant? 
2. Was it spoken/written during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ? 
3. Was it spoken/written after the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? 
4. Was it spoken/written before the coming of the Holy Spirit? 
5. Was it spoken/written before the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Paul? 
6. Was it spoken/written during Paul’s ministry to the churches? 

Application: 

We (believers) are under the New Testament through the gospel. We are saved, justified, and sanctified by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection for us. 

1. A statement, other than a prophetical statement, spoken or recorded under the Old Testament (before the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ), in most cases will doctrinally apply to those under the Old Testament. Are you under the Old Testament? 
2. If a statement is spoken or recorded during the life of Christ, in most cases it will apply doctrinally to people who lived during that time and were under the law. 
3. A statement, other than a prophetical statement, found in the New Testament Pauline Epistles, in most cases it will apply to believers now. 

3. TO WHOM OR ABOUT WHOM IS THE STATEMENT SPOKEN OR WRITTEN? (JAMES 1:1) 

1 Peter 1:10-12 (KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into. 

Every verse of Scripture is addressed or is applicable to a particular group or recipient. 

Christians can be misled by assuming a particular verse is about or aimed at themselves. Here are some different audiences to whom Scriptures are aimed. 

1. Jews under the Old Testament 
2. Gentiles under the Old Testament 
3. Jews during the ministry of Jesus Christ 
4. Gentiles during the ministry of Jesus Christ 
5. The Church (believers) of the Lord Jesus Christ 
6. Jews in the Tribulation 
7. GentilesintheTribulation 
8. Jews in the Millennium 
9. GentilesintheMillennium 

To whom a passage is addressed or about whom a passage is speaking help determine the dispensational context. (To whom and when does a passage apply doctrinally.) 

4. WHAT IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF A STATEMENT OR PASSAGE? 

1 Peter 1:10-12 (KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into. 

I divide prophetic Bible (subject) content into: 

1. Positive Prophecy Blessing 
2. Negative Prophecy Curse 

I divide New Testament (subject) content into: 

1. Primary Doctrine 2. Secondary Practice 

Reward Punishment 

Salvation Discipleship 

Reassurance Reproof 

Identifying the theme or subject under discussion helps discover the dispensational context. 

5. WHEN DOES THIS STATEMENT OR PASSAGE APPLY? 

1 Peter 1:10-12 (KJV) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

This question deals with three points in time: past, present, or future (or double or triple application). 

Past:
 Isaiah 53:3 (KJV) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: 

and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the 

chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Future: 

Revelation 20:2-4 (KJV) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

How can we answer the question: When does this statement or passage apply? 

To answer the above question, we must review our introduction and answer two questions. 1) Do we believe the Bible means what it says and says what it means? If the answer is yes, then according to the passage in Revelation 20:2-4: 

1. The devil is going to be bound 1,000 years. 
2. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to return to earth and reign for 1,000 years. 
3. And the people who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus Christ will be resurrected and 
4. they will reign on earth with Christ for 1,000 years. 

Next question: 2) Has this happened yet? 

If the Bible means what it says and says what it means, this hasn’t happened yet, but it will happen in the future, meaning Revelation 20:2-4 applies to the future. There will be a 1,000-year period when God’s dealing with man will include binding Satan in the Bottomless Pit and reigning on earth with resurrected saints for 1,000 years. 

Past: 

Leviticus 4:3 (KJV) If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. 

When in time does this apply?
 When was the statement spoken or written? Answer: Under the Law of Moses. This passage applies to the past and it applies to people who lived in the past. 

Scripture Past 

Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:17, 18 Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15 Isaiah 9:6, 7 X Leviticus 4:3 X 

Present 

Future X 

II Corinthians 6:2 X
6. HOW IS GOD DEALING WITH MAN AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME? 

X 

Leviticus 17:11 (KJV) For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 

Matthew 10:5-6 (KJV) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Leviticus 11:11 (KJV) They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination. 

1 Timothy 4:4 (KJV) For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 

The Acts of the Apostles
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

7. DOES THIS MATCH HOW GOD IS DEALING WITH MANKIND NOW (PAULINE DOCTRINE 

AND BEHAVIOR)? 

The Apostle Paul Saved 

Paul Preaching Justification by Faith 

The Apostle Paul Writes 

I Thessalonians II Thessalonians Galatians
 I Corinthians 

II Corinthians Romans Ephesians Philippians Colossians 

I Timothy II Timothy Titus Philemon 

Paul Preaching Salvation by Faith