Two Dispensations: Kingdom and Grace (Mystery)

In examining further the Two-fold purpose of God, the Scriptures tell of two macro-dispensations, The Dispensation of the Kingdom of God and the Dispensation of the Grace of God, also known as the Dispensation of the Mystery (Eph 3:2,9). The confusion of believers alluded to in earlier articles comes about by intertwining the parameters of one dispensation (also translated administration) into the other dispensation.

Today, many believers, in fact most of Christendom, are desperately looking for and hoping for the Lord Jesus Christ to return and establish his Kingdom on Earth and to be with Him when this occurs. It is a valid Hope if you are a child of Abraham (Hebrew) or a Gentile proselyte or a Gentile believer who lived during the Acts times (AD 29 to AD 64). What Scripture tells us is that the Hope of a King who would reign forever is the Hope of the one nation, Israel, and its citizens and a small number of Gentiles who became an Israelite by circumcision. This King, the Messiah, will occupy the Throne of David which will be established at the inception of the One Thousand Year Reign of Christ. This Throne is forever (Psa 45:6). The King is Christ Himself. This King is the carpenter from Nazareth. This King, born of a virgin, is a descendant of Shem and Abraham by heritage and nationality, and thus an Israelite. His people Israel shall be a Holy People, a Kingdom of Priests (Ex 19:6). His ministry on earth was only to "the lost sheep of the House of Israel", Matt 10:6 and Matt 15:24. It should be evident now to the believer in Christ who is looking to be a part of this Kingdom on Earth, with Christ sitting on the Throne of David, that I had better be able to justify my Jewish heritage. This is not a Gentile Kingdom. This is a Kingdom of Priests whose great commission is to go unto all the nations and teach them regarding Christ and to baptize them. (Matt 28:18-20).

Essentially the purpose given to Israel by Christ is to witness Him to all the nations in order that all people should have the opportunity to believe and follow Christ the King. This is the end to which the Dispensation of the Kingdom is committed. You will notice, believer, that there are no gentiles called to this purpose. Christ was a "minister of the circumcision, Rom 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: Rom 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.. It is a mistake, in fact a gross error, for gentile believers to believe that they have been called as a "substitute" for Israel in this great Earth Purpose. Paul beautifully extols this fact in Chapter 11 of Romans, particularly verse 29, "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance". He is making quite clear that the Great Commission of Matt 28 is Israel's and Israel's alone. If you believe, Believer, that you have been commissioned by Christ to evangelize the world, you are either a Hebrew who believes that the carpenter from Nazareth is Messiah, or you are in error.

So, if you find yourself in error, you must be asking yourself, "Where did I go wrong? What happened to Israel? Are we as believers today going to go through the Tribulation? When is Christ going to return? What does God have in mind for me, if I am not to take up Israel's cause? If you are asking these or similar questions, you are on the right track and the Word of God will have the answer for you. In our next article we will be taking up the other purpose, The Heavenly Purpose of God. In this purpose you will find a calling and a hope, and blessed peace for those who accept/believe it. Also in future articles, we will begin unfolding for you the answers to the above questions and many more.

Blessings in Christ

DLB