Post by ambassador on Aug 22, 2009 0:33:59 GMT -5
“Rightly Dividing” the Scriptures: “Time Past,” “But Now,” and “Ages to Come”
It has been nearly two months since we began our formal discussion on dispensational Bible study, so I know our past discussions are hazy. This article serves as a refresher, a recap of everything we have learned up to this point.
We are going to look at Ephesians 2:11-13. Please keep in mind that Paul wrote the Book of Ephesians to Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, so it is basically written to us. “Wherefore remember, that you 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 [in other words, the circumcised Jews referred to the Gentiles as “uncircumcised dogs”]; that at that time you 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: but now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” What do these three verses mean?
“TIME PAST”
• Time span: Abraham to Paul (c. 2000 B.C. to A.D. 36)
• Primary entity (people): God dealt primarily with the Jews—His covenant people (“the Circumcision”)—with a few Gentiles exceptions. Gentiles had no relation to the Lord’s covenants with Israel, and for the most part, without hope and without God.
• Special privileges: Old Testament prophecy and the covenants were being fulfilled. The Jews had the Word of God (“the oracles of God”), which was just the Old Testament at that time (Romans 3:9-11). The Jews also had the Temple, the priesthood, and the presence of the Lord (in the form of the Shekinah glory) who provided their necessities and fought their enemies.
• Reason for suspension: Israel rejected their Messiah Jesus and demanded His crucifixion. While Israel is in a fallen state nationally, they will one day be restored, and Old Testament prophecy will continue to be filled AFTER the “But Now” (at the end of the present-day Church Age).
“BUT NOW”
• Time span: Paul to — (c. A.D. 36 to —)*
• Primary entity (people): As of right now, God is dealing almost exclusively with the Body of Christ (Grace Age believers), and the Gentile world (notice that this is a complete opposite of “Time Past”). For the most part, Israel is currently in a temporary spiritual blindness (Romans 11:7, 11-12, 25-26); however, there are some Jews being saved today in the Church Age.
• Special privileges: Grace Age doctrines of Romans through Philemon entrusted to the Body of Christ, for them to proclaim it to the lost world. Gospel of Grace of God now being promulgated so everyone has an opportunity to receive salvation FREELY by grace through faith. Whosoever comes to the Lord by faith will receive spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
• Reason for suspension: In order to continue dealing with His covenant people Israel, God must remove the Body of Christ from earth (by means of the Rapture).
* There is no set time period for the Church Age. We cannot set any dates as for the time of the Rapture.
“AGES TO COME” (see Ephesians 2:7)
• Time span: From the time of the Rapture and continuing through all eternity
• Primary entity (people): God removes the Body of Christ via the Rapture, and Old Testament prophecy continues where it left of with Paul’s conversion. The Body of Christ is ushered into the Heavenlies to serve the Lord and to appear at the Bema Seat of Christ. The people on Earth endure a seven-year Tribulation. The Lord returns at His Second Coming, ushering in the Millennial Kingdom promised to Israel thousands of years before. The lost people of the ages past will file before the Lord at the Great White Throne Judgment to be judged, and then be consigned to the eternal Lake of Fire. On the New Earth, Israel will carry out God’s work, and in the New Heavens, the Body of Christ will serve with the Lord for all eternity.
It has been nearly two months since we began our formal discussion on dispensational Bible study, so I know our past discussions are hazy. This article serves as a refresher, a recap of everything we have learned up to this point.
We are going to look at Ephesians 2:11-13. Please keep in mind that Paul wrote the Book of Ephesians to Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, so it is basically written to us. “Wherefore remember, that you 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 [in other words, the circumcised Jews referred to the Gentiles as “uncircumcised dogs”]; that at that time you 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: but now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” What do these three verses mean?
“TIME PAST”
• Time span: Abraham to Paul (c. 2000 B.C. to A.D. 36)
• Primary entity (people): God dealt primarily with the Jews—His covenant people (“the Circumcision”)—with a few Gentiles exceptions. Gentiles had no relation to the Lord’s covenants with Israel, and for the most part, without hope and without God.
• Special privileges: Old Testament prophecy and the covenants were being fulfilled. The Jews had the Word of God (“the oracles of God”), which was just the Old Testament at that time (Romans 3:9-11). The Jews also had the Temple, the priesthood, and the presence of the Lord (in the form of the Shekinah glory) who provided their necessities and fought their enemies.
• Reason for suspension: Israel rejected their Messiah Jesus and demanded His crucifixion. While Israel is in a fallen state nationally, they will one day be restored, and Old Testament prophecy will continue to be filled AFTER the “But Now” (at the end of the present-day Church Age).
“BUT NOW”
• Time span: Paul to — (c. A.D. 36 to —)*
• Primary entity (people): As of right now, God is dealing almost exclusively with the Body of Christ (Grace Age believers), and the Gentile world (notice that this is a complete opposite of “Time Past”). For the most part, Israel is currently in a temporary spiritual blindness (Romans 11:7, 11-12, 25-26); however, there are some Jews being saved today in the Church Age.
• Special privileges: Grace Age doctrines of Romans through Philemon entrusted to the Body of Christ, for them to proclaim it to the lost world. Gospel of Grace of God now being promulgated so everyone has an opportunity to receive salvation FREELY by grace through faith. Whosoever comes to the Lord by faith will receive spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
• Reason for suspension: In order to continue dealing with His covenant people Israel, God must remove the Body of Christ from earth (by means of the Rapture).
* There is no set time period for the Church Age. We cannot set any dates as for the time of the Rapture.
“AGES TO COME” (see Ephesians 2:7)
• Time span: From the time of the Rapture and continuing through all eternity
• Primary entity (people): God removes the Body of Christ via the Rapture, and Old Testament prophecy continues where it left of with Paul’s conversion. The Body of Christ is ushered into the Heavenlies to serve the Lord and to appear at the Bema Seat of Christ. The people on Earth endure a seven-year Tribulation. The Lord returns at His Second Coming, ushering in the Millennial Kingdom promised to Israel thousands of years before. The lost people of the ages past will file before the Lord at the Great White Throne Judgment to be judged, and then be consigned to the eternal Lake of Fire. On the New Earth, Israel will carry out God’s work, and in the New Heavens, the Body of Christ will serve with the Lord for all eternity.