Msg #2041 The End of the Dispensation of Grace

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The Apostle Paul specifically names two dispensations when he writes to Ephesus. “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). This is obviously the last dispensation. In it all the stewardship tests for mankind are complete. Remember that “stewardship” and “dispensation” are synonymous, coming from the same Greek root word. This last dispensation must include an “end of sins, and reconciliation for iniquity...” as promised in Daniel9:24. Jesus references this dispensation as the kingdom.

But Paul also calls out a “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph3:1-3). The marvelous intent of this dispensation of grace, which was previously a mystery (vr.3,9), a mystery now revealed (vr.5), a dispensational age wherein “the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (vr.6),... the marvelous intent is stated as, “that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (vr.10). God calls out this intent for his church previously (2:6-7).

Make no catholic mistake here, this dispensation of grace will come to an end, and the next dispensation of the fullness of times will begin. This church age will end in troublous times (Matt 24). The study of how it ends, and how the next dispensation begins, proceeds through seven seals, seven trumpets, and the seven vials of the wrath of God, and finally comes to a close, is called the study of end times, eschatology in Greek. The troublous times are here. Being a student of the end times is a great comfort to Christians as Paul explicates in 1Thes. 4:18, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Be a good student be of good comfort. 

An Essay for week #41 Oct 11, 2020

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs201011.mp3

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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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