Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Two Great Eras

Yahweh's holy Word, the Bible, does not distinguish seven "dispensations," as the cult of Dispensationalism teaches, but two great eras. This is seen in a number of ways:

First, the Bible is split into two great divisions: the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Why did I say 'Covenant' and not 'Testament'? Because not only does the word "testament" never occur even once in the Old Covenant, but also because the correct interpretation for the Greek diatheke (διαθηκη) is "covenant." It should always be translated as "covenant."

Second, a period of 400 years separates these two great divisions, between the last book of the Old Covenant and the first events recorded in Luke 1.

Third, Yahweh's dealings with men in two great eras is clearly witnessed in a number of passages of Scripture. "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached" (Luke 16:16). "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2).

From the last passage, it is clear that there are two different eras: (1) "in time past," and (2) "in these last days." This is verified further from the writings of the New Covenant authors. Observe:

"'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;'" Acts 2:17

"Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come." 2 Timothy 3:1

"Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!" James 5:3

"For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you." 1 Peter 1:20

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts," 2 Peter 3:3

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour." 1 John 2:18

We have been in the "last days" for the past 2,000 years. The next event to occur is the Second Coming of King Jesus. There will be no "Millennial Kingdom." Everything about this nonsensical belief, and Jewish myth, is illogical. Not to mention that 2 Peter 3:10 completely obliterates the possibility for this belief. When Jesus returns, everything is going to be burned up. So where does it leave this seventh "dispensation"? When Jesus returns to judge the world in sin and righteousness, eternity begins.

As if that was not clear enough, it is acknowledged in Hebrews 9:26 that the period of Jesus' First Coming and of His sacrifice belongs to "the end of the ages": "Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation [end] of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Dispensationalists place in the "dispensation" of law so that they can separate His words (particularly His Teaching on the Mount) from us, Yahweh's children. Perhaps this is why they believe that the believer does not have to repent or be obedient, attempting to label them as "works" because, like most believers, they have no clue what Paul was addressing.

It is time believers started acting like the Bereans and searching the Scriptures, paying attention to what is actually said—in context, rather than blindly believing what some preacher behind a pulpit, or a "study" Bible, has to tell them. Stop outsourcing your intellect and faith and start proving yourself "a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."