“write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take...

“WRITE THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN, AND THE THINGS WHICH ARE, AND THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS.”

REVELATION 1:19

The Revelation:Dispensation of Times

Introduction

A dispensation in the Bible is a period of time in which God dealt/deals with man a certain way.

There are 8 dispensations that are commonly agreed between many Christian scholars.

Dispensations

ANTEDELUVIAN AGES

2 Before the Flood

Age of Innocence

Genesis 1 - 2

Age of Conscience

Genesis 3 - 9

Then the eyesof both of them were opened…Gen 3:7

Expelled

Genesis 3:24

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Age of Conscience

Genesis 3 - 9

POSTDELUVIAN AGES

6 After the Flood

Age of Human Government

Genesis 10-11

Age of Promise

Genesis 12-50

Age of the Law

Exodus - Malachi

Age of the Grace

Matthew – Rev 3

Age of the Righteousness

Age of Holiness

Seven Churches of Asia MinorRevelation 2 - 3

The messages are to be interpreted: Historically Pastorally Practically

Application: Immediate (for them then) Ongoing (for us now) For the church in general For the individual

Dispensational Application

Each church represents a period of time in church history from the close of Acts to the to the rapture.

Ancient History: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos

Mediaeval History: Thyatira

Modern History: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

Dispensational Application

Structure of the Letters(Sevenfold pattern)

1. A commission to the messenger of the church.

2. A character description of Christ.

3. A commendation (except for Sardis and Laodicea).

4. A censure (except for Sardis and Philadelphia).

5. A correction with various imperatives.

6. A challenge.

7. A covenant promise: a facet of Christ Himself and is a gift to every member of the body of Christ.

Ephesus

Commendation: Rejects evil Perseveres Patience

Criticism: Love for Christ is no longer fervent

Instruction: Do the works you did at first

Promise: Tree of Life