Eric W. King ~ TSW, "The Shepherds Way": "The Dispensational Mysteries." ~ TSW

Ancient Antiochene

Mysteries

Part Thirty

“The Dispensational Mysteries.”

By presbyter Eric William King (September 4^th 2024)

The Greek word used by Apostle Paul for “dispensation” is oikonomia and it basically means a specific economy [order] of time, a dispensed amount of time. Biblically, we say that a dispensation represents a period of time in which Humanity is tested in respect to a revelation [message] given by God to man. The revelation is a condition or covenant that God reveals, a covenant that should be kept between Humans (specifically Israel) and God.

The Greek word, oikonomia as a verb points to management, regulation, and administration of time. These dispensations are for the outworking of God’s purpose in the space-time continuum. There are many covenants given by God throughout Scripture but there are Seven main Dispensations which are all introduced by a new covenant that God gives to his people.

Most all of these covenants are “conditional”, in other words God promises to keep the covenant if Israel obeys their part in the covenant. If they refuse, and break the covenant then God promises curses or judgments for His people. When one covenant is completely abolished by disobedience then God introduces a new covenant for them to keep thus establishing a continued relationship and learning process with His people.

Here is a list of the Seven Major Dispensations in Scripture. All are introduced by a new covenant from God:

1. Innocence - Adam
2. Conscience - After man sinned, up to the flood
3. Government - After the flood, man allowed to eat meat, death penalty instituted
4. Promise - Abraham up to Moses and the giving of the Law
5. Law - Moses to the cross (The time we call, “The Old Covenant”)
6. Grace - The cross to the Millennial Kingdom (Our current Christian Dispensation)
7. Millennial Kingdom - A 1000-year reign of Christ on earth centered in Jerusalem - Future.

Each of these dispensations is introduced by a covenant and here is a list of each of the Seven Covenants:

1-The Edenic Covenant – Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15-17

2-The Adamic Covenant – Genesis 3:14-19

3- The Noahic Covenant – Genesis 8:20; 9:17

4- The Abrahamic Covenant – Genesis 12:1-3

5- The Mosaic Covenant – Exodus 20-23; Deuteronomy

6- The Beginning of the New Covenant – Ezekiel 36:20-27; John 1:29

7- The Millennial Covenant – Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Revelation 20:1-4

This basic outline of the Seven Dispensations is part of “The Ancient Antiochene Church of God” hermeneutics. Today there is much controversy regarding what many call “Dispensational Theology”. The fact of the matter is, the early Church taught it. Some of the early Patristic saints who spoke of it are listed here:

* Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165)
* Irenaeus (A.D. 130-200)
* Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-220)
* Augustine (A.D. 354-430)

We have many more in-depth articles regarding this fascinating topic here at “The Shepherds Way” and “Nugget of Truth”. Please continue your fascinating studies with us and continue to learn more about your Bible.

We are currently in the Church dispensation, the dispensation of God’s Grace.

This is most certainly true.

Eric William King (September 4^th 2024)