Understanding Future Dispensations
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Understanding Future Dispensations
The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest Vol: 143 Issue: 23 - Friday, August 23, 2013 | |
The Thousand Year Reign Scripture reveals that there are still two Dispensations remaining between now and the destruction of universe and its replacement with the ‘new heavens’ and ‘new earth’ as described by the Apostle Peter. Peter refers to this as the “Day of the Lord” and later, the “Day of God” (2nd Peter 3:12). This is different than the “Day of Christ.” The “Day of Christ” is the day He returns for His Church at the Rapture. While the “Day of Christ” refers to the ingathering of the Church at the Rapture and the Bema Judgment for rewards, the “Day of the Lord” refers to judgment for sin; judgment against the Gentile nations; judgment against unbelieving Israel and the final judgment at the Great White Throne. It is important to remember that “Christ” is not God’s last Name; it is His title. “Christ” is the Greek equivalent [Christos] to the Hebrew Messiah [Mosiach]. The Day of the Lord is therefore significant of judgment, whereas the day of Christ signifies redemption. So, here is the chronology remaining for the human race: the current Dispensation [the Church Age] comes to an end at the Rapture as part of the Day of Christ. The Raptured Church attends the Bema Seat Judgment (2nd Corinthians 3:11-15), the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9) and accompanies Him to the earth at His triumphant Second Coming. (Jude 1:14-15) The Tribulation Period is its own Dispensation, in addition to being a resumption of the Age of the Law – it represents the 70th Week of Daniel. The revealing Angel gave Daniel an panoramic view of Israel’s history, beginning with the order to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple and ending with the coming of the Messiah. Daniel’s outline is interrupted at the end of the 69th week (of years) with the ‘cutting off’ of the Messiah and resumes with the revelation of the antichrist when he confirms a seven-year peace treaty between Israel and her enemies. How can we know that the 70th Week is set apart from the Church Age? The angel listed six specific things to be accomplished during the 70th Week, from Israel’s perspective: Before going down the list, notice that the 70th week is for Daniel's people, [the Jews] and Daniel's holy city [Jerusalem] and NOT for the Church.
The Church has no role to play during the Tribulation, which Scripture identifies has having two specific purposes; the judgment of a Christ-rejecting world and the national redemption of Israel. The Church was judged at the Cross and found judicially blameless by grace through faith. The Church neither rejected Christ nor has need of further redemption. Consequently, the Church does not remain on the earth beyond the Church Age. Assessment: So, who inhabits the Millennial Kingdom? According to Scripture, there are but two groups who survive the Tribulation – believing Gentiles and believing Jews. In Revelation 19:11-16, we find the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. This is His Second Coming. The Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) is an appearing of Christ in the air. That is not the same as His Second Coming. This is included, I believe, to draw a distinction between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. There is no mention in Revelation 19-20 of any kind of rapture event where believers receive glorified bodies. The prophet Joel, in his description of the Tribulation Judgment, was clear and specific concerning those to come under Tribulation judgment: The believing Gentiles are non-Jews who come to faith during the Tribulation. Note that they are distinct from the ‘new creature’ of the Church Age. Jesus said that He will separate the ‘sheep’ [righteous, or believing,] nations from the ‘goat’ [unrighteous, or unbelieving] nations. The goats are cast into the Lake of Fire whereas the sheep [the righteous Gentiles] survive and live on into the Millennial Kingdom. By implication, no unbelieving Gentile will survive the Second Coming. The righteous Gentiles, or sheep, will live on into the millennial kingdom. They will give birth to children and will populate the earth. However, these are not the only ones who will be producing children during the millennial kingdom. The impression is given that when Christ returns, all Israel will trust in Him (Zechariah 12:10). They, too, will not receive glorified bodies (as those did who were raptured prior to the tribulation). They also will produce children during the millennial kingdom. To summarize, the Millennial Kingdom will be populated by believing Gentiles, Israel, and the resurrected/raptured believers whom, according to the Apostle Paul, will hold positions of authority and judgment as well. According to the Prophet Isaiah, during the Millennial Kingdom, the earth is restored to its original ecological balance, and lifespans return to what they were prior to the Flood. “. . . for the child shall die an hundred years old” (Isaiah 65:20) Everyone who enters into the Millennial Kingdom will be a believer, but the Scripture say that children will be born to believing Jews and Gentiles. And, as incredible as it sounds (what with Jesus Himself on the throne and resurrected believers in glorified bodies running around directing traffic, or whatever) many of those born into the Millennial Kingdom will reject Christ, and they will, once again, gather themselves together to do battle against the Lord of Hosts. (Revelation 20:7-10) And with that act, the final curtain comes down on the human race. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind,” writes the Prophet Isaiah. [65:17) Which leaves us contemplating the question asked by the Apostle Peter; “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” That’s a question that each of us has to answer for ourselves in this life. For it will surely be asked of us as we seek admittance into the next. |
Re: Understanding Future Dispensations
Another keeper, thanks JH!
Tryphosa- Posts : 4592
Join date : 2013-06-18
Re: Understanding Future Dispensations
Lately, Omega Letter has been posting more "Doctrine in a Nutshell" articles ~ great for summarizing what we believe and why. The more soundly and firmly we build our foundation in faith, the more readily and assuredly we can share it!Tryphosa wrote:Another keeper, thanks JH!
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