“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