gpatton{at}bayou.com wrote:
> lsenders{at}hotmail.com wrote:
> > The problem with such a conclusion is that it does not account for
> the
> > biblical record.  The Church Age is a parenthetical period.
>
> I don't find that about "The Church Age" (whatever you mean by that)
in
> scripture. To me that "Church Age" stuff sounds more like your
> denomination's doctrine than scripture.
>
It is not my intention nor do I have the inclination to prove
dispensationalism in this forum.  Those who are honest seekers of the
truth, well I would suggest you read the premire primer, Ryrie's
"Dispensationalism Today."   Ryrie's definition of dispensationalism
is:

"Dispensation means a stewardship or administration.  In the Bible a
dispensation is a divinely established stewardship of a particular
revelation of God's mind and will which brings added responsibility
to the whole race of mankind or a particular portion of the human
race."

Another definition cited by Ryrie goes like this, "A dispensation is
God's distinctive method of governing mankind or a group of men
during a period of human history, marked by a crucial test, failure,
and judgment."
The first definition emphasizes stewardship, and the second one
emphasizes God's providential governing.  All are direct products of
His eternal plan for the ages.

Also, dispensationalism is not a denominational thing. It is primarily
Protestant Reform.  In part that has to do with one of its basic
tenents, that being premillennialism.  To read the be all, end all
apologetic thesis on that subject, spend the $100 and read all 3 vol.
of George Peter's, "Theocratic Kingdom."  For a primer of the various
schools within premillennialism, I would suggest a dated, but still
reliable volume by Dwight Pentecost, titled, "On Things To Come."

As for my terminology, "Church Age," you will not find it directly
stated in scripture as you will not find "Trinity" directly stated.
You believe in the "eternal age" as opposed to the present age, don't
you?  You believe in an age where at least one man was created without
sin, don't you?  Then you are a dispensationalist.  Reminds me of the
story where a man walks up to a woman and asks her, "Will you go to bed
with me for a million dollars?"  When the woman answers in the
affirmative, he then replies,  "Well now that we know what kind of
woman you are, all we have to do is settle on the price."  And so it
is.  All biblical Christians are dispensationalist.  What differs
between them is the numbering of the dispensations.

Does that help any?  That Paul terms the Church as a mystery, directly
relates to it being a new dispensation separate from the previous, the
system of Law given to the nation of Israel.  You may devour the bible,
cover to cover, but you will never find the Law given to the Gentiles,
let alone applied to them.  Paul makes this distinction in Rom 2 & 3.

I mention that the Church Age is a parenthetical age in that it rests
between the 69th and the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy.  The first 69
weeks were literally fulfilled by national Israel.  The 69th week
concluded at the crucifixion of their promised Messiah.  The 70th week
includes the "Great Tribulation" which Jesus Himself spoke of in Mt 24.
As the Prophet, He was building off of the foundation laid by the OT
prophets.  I would suggest you read Zephaniah as a primer to understand
the distinctives of the 70th week.  Underline the various terms which
incorporate "day."  i.e.  "Day of the Lord;" "Day
of Wrath," etc.  Note
the conclusion.  The believing remnant of Jacob's people are purified.
At the end of the 70th week, or the Tribulation, Christ returns to
earth to setup the covenanted Davidic Kingdom in Jerusalem.  The sheep
(believing remnant) and the goats (unbelievers of all nations) are
separated.  Only the believing remnant enters into that 1000 reign of
Christ.  It is they who repopulate earth.  Here is another distinction
of Israel from the Church.  Believer's "in Christ," at His return are
caught up to be with Him and at the same time, given their new bodies.
As Christ disclosed, the eternal bodies do not procreate.  Hence two
distinctions.  One, Christ returns for the Church/Bride prior to the
70th week.  Second, returns to Earth with His bride at the end of 70th
week to put down all nations and to pass the judgment of sheep and
goats.

This is a very, very brief picture of all that is involved in the plan
of God.

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