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