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DISPENSATION OF THE KINGDOM
Pastor Jeremy Thomas
This is the final installment of a series on the dispensations. A dispensation is “a distinct
household arrangement in God’s unfolding plan”. In the seven successive dispensations man is
give a responsibility, man fails, and God judges. By way of the dispensations God is creating a
massive argument against the inherent goodness of man and is bringing glory to Himself. By the
end of history there will be no argument left standing for the goodness of man. Every
dispensation will have shown that the problem is not the devil, the problem is not the
environment, the problem is not how we were raised; the problem is us. God created mankind to
be great. Man was originally a great work of art. The Fall has destroyed that which was once
great. What we see today is but a dim reflection of man’s original greatness. So terrible are we
that we not only commit “sin” but we are “sin”. We are inherently sinful. Therefore, Christ came,
not only to pay for “sins” but for who we are by nature “sin”. This final dispensation, the
dispensation of the Kingdom is the final installment in God’s great argument for His goodness
and mankind’s wickedness.
Why is the dispensation entitled “Kingdom”? One of the prime subjects of the OT is the earthly
Kingdom of God as expressed through Israel’s theocracy. This theocracy looked forward to a
time when God Himself would rule on earth. This is known as the “Kingdom, a time on earth
when the prayer “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” will finally be answered. Since
the King of the universe, Jesus Christ, is coming to earth the dispensation is entitled “the
Kingdom”
What special revelation did God give that makes man responsible? God makes all men
responsible by giving the highest form of revelation possible, the visible God-man on earth for
1,000 years. Man is given the responsibility to obey the laws of the God-man who will rule in
perfect righteousness and justice. He will be a world dictator and men will not be permitted to do
what is right in their own eyes. During this time man will be given every advantage. The creation
will be renovated to the status of the “garden of Eden” (Ezek 36). Satan and the fallen angels will
be bound for the entire period so that we cannot say that the devil made me do it (Rev 20).
Everyone will have the knowledge of God from the least to the greatest.
The failure of Man and judgment by God. Although the Kingdom will begin with the total
population composed of believers many born within the Kingdom will not trust in Jesus as the
Messiah. This will demonstrate once for all that “seeing is not believing” (also cf. Luke 16:2731). Instead, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. People will stare the
Messiah in the face and still reject him. Even though Jesus the Messiah will reign with perfect
righteousness and justice so that no false judgments will ever take place, men will still rebel
against Him. Men simply do not have it in themselves to obey God. Psalm 2 describes the
world’s rebellion and God’s judgment. “Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples
devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel
together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!" 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at
them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 "But as
for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." 7 "I will surely tell of the
decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 'Ask of Me,
and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your
possession. 9 'You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'"
10
Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship
the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, that He not
become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are
all who take refuge in Him!”
How true! It is a blessed thing to “take refuge in the Son of God”. He is our life and our Light,
the sole source of salvation and every spiritual blessing. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
May you take refuge in the One who created us, sustains us, loves us, and saves us. To God be
the glory great things He has done!
Copyright (c) Fredericksburg Bible Church 2005