Cycles of Life & Dispensations
At
the Ancient Antiochene Church of God we have an exercise that one can do as
they get older. You can sit down and think about when you were seven years old.
Think of something that happened that stands out. If you cannot remember, have
a family member who may know something about your "early years"
remind you of something. Then, think about an event that stands out when you
were fourteen years old. Try and find that in every seventh-year of your life, since you have been born - something happened that was significant. It is fun
to do this.
We
believe that every seven years of your life some kind of new direction
occurred. It is like this with God and time. God has special times called
“dispensations” in the Bible where He gave a special covenant (promise) to His
people. God operates in time and we all live in a specific space-time
continuum. God is also working through three special earth-ages. Since the time
of Noah’s flood, we have been in the second earth age.
As
far as dispensations go, we are in the sixth dispensation of time since the
birth of Jesus Christ. It is called the “ecclesiastical dispensation” and or
sometimes “the church age”. Those of you who have studied with us and are
Antiochene Christians have this special information that many Christians do not
know. We thank God that we have this special information. It helps us grow and
learn from each age and dispensation. God continues to teach us lessons
throughout time - through short dispensations in our own life.
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 (teaching discipline). 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.
By Presbyter King (September 4th 2024)
All AACG Articles are Protected. All Rights Reserved.
Understand Cycles of Life & Dispensations
"But the path of the just is as the shining light (illuminosity),
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
~Proverbs 4:8
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