G R A C E Dispensation

The Age of

G R A C E

(Matthew 3:1 — Revelations 19:10)

Present Age or Postdiluvian Age (Genesis 8:15 — Revelations 19:10)

Name

So-called because of the fullness of grace brought by Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) (Jn. 1:16-17). People had grace in all previous ages, but not in fullness. The same was true of laws. People had laws in all periods before Moses, but the fullness of law came by Him.

God’s “Grace” Defined in the Old Testament

“ax” (Original Old Testament Hebrew): “the free, unmerited favor of God toward the undeserving and the ill-deserving.”

Grace is always associated in the Bible with the big-heartedness, love, compassion, mercy, and kindness of one individual to another, whether it be person to person or God to person.

God’s “Grace” Defined in the New Testament

God’s New Testament word translated grace is “chairis” (original New Testament Greek). It is defined primarily: “The cheerful, divine influence upon a person’s heart [spirit] and its reflection in the person’s life; including gratitude”

In other words, God’s grace (or “chairis”) is no longer “unmerited favor…” but is the power of God’s love transforming the person more and more into the image of Jesus from the inside-out and genuinely yielding the fruit of thankfulness. This is versus the law, affecting only the external life.

And repeating, grace is always associated in the Bible with the big-heartedness, love, compassion, mercy, and kindness of one individual to another, whether it be person to person or God to person.

Grace from God is His power coming to empower the person to do with ease what s/he could never accomplish on his or her own. (See also John 15:5.)

Length

From the preaching of the kingdom of heaven by John (Mt. 11: 11; Lk. 16:16) to the 2nd arrival of Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah). Considering that we reckon our time in AD from the birth of Christ, and that He was about 30 years of age (in AD 30) when John the Baptist announced the kingdom and when Law ended and Grace began (Lk. 1:26; 3:23), then we know that we had already come 1,970 years in this age by 2000. How many more years Grace will continue is not known because we do not know when the 2nd advent (which is to terminate this age) till take place.

A review of the six ‘Ages’ of Mankind up to this point will show that we have come 6,201 years or more since Adam to AD 2,000 as follows:

(Years)

(1) Innocence unsaid length of time

(2) Conscience 1,656 years

(3) Human Government 427

(4) Promise 430

(5) Law 1,718

(6) Age of Grace 1,980

Total 6,211

Favorable Beginning

Satan was defeated on the cross and made powerless to overcome any believer who would put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and resist him (Eph. 4:27; Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:7-9). In this matter, no difference was made between Jew or Gentile, male or female (Acts 2:1621; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). Furthermore, the age of Grace began with ministries of power - that of Jesus the Christ (Yeshua Messiah), John the Baptist, the apostles, and other men and women endued to perform miracles, as recorded in the Gospels and Acts. It began with complete grace (Jn. 1:16-17), promises of the fullness of the Spirit (Jn. 7: 37-39), and a full commission to represent God and do the works of Jesus the Christ (Yeshua Messiah) (Mk. 16:1520; Jn. 14:12). There is now no limitation to the believer regarding what he wants from God according to the promises. Everyone is privileged to receive according to his or her faith (Mt. 8:13; 9:29; 17:20; 21,21-22; Mk. 11:22-24; Jn. 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; Heb. 11:6; 1 Jn. 3:21-22; 5:13-14).

Test

Obedience to the faith of the gospel in all its teachings (Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:16; Rom, 1:5,16; 16:26; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8).

The Purpose of God in this Age

The purpose has been to save all who would believe, to call out a people for His name, and to build the Church (ekklesia) (Jn. 3:16; Acts 15:13-18; 1 Cor. 1: 18-24; 12:12-3 1; Eph. 2-14-22; 4:7-16; 5:25-32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 2i-17)

There were 333 prophecies – spoken centuries before – fulfilled in the life of Y’shua Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

Means of God in Accomplishing His Purpose

Preaching and demonstrating the gospel is His means to call out a people for the Church (ekklesia) (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-20; Rom. 1: 16; 1 Cor. 1: 18-24; 2 Cor. 4:4). For this work He utilizes called and gifted people (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4:7-11). He also utilizes angels (Heb. 1:14) and ordinary born-again people to propagate the gospel as directed by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:715- Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 5:32).

Failure

The failure of Israel is seen in their rejection of John, Jesus (Y’shua), and the apostles; in the crucifixion of their Messiah; and in war on the early Church (ekklesia). The gospel first went to Israel (Mt. 10:5-6) but they would not obey, so it was taken from them temporarily and given to Gentiles (Mt. 21:33-46).

Provisional Judgment for Continued Sin

For their rejection of John (Mt. 3:7; 21:23-27), Jesus (Y’shua) (Mt. 11: 11-27; 12:1 -50; 23:1-39), and the early disciples (Acts 4:1-31; 6:8-7:59; 8:1-4; 9:1-8; 12:1-5; 16:19-38; 17:1-8:18; 22:1-28:31), Israel was destroyed as a nation in AD 70 and scattered among the other nations (Mt. 24:1-3; Lk. 21:20-24).

And God is and will compassionately redeem an authentic Israel (Deut. 30:1-6; Jer. 31:31-33; 50:4-5; Ez. 16:60; 36:24-37; 37:15-28; Hosea 2:14-20; 3:1-5; Amos 9:11-12; Rom. 7:1-4; 11:1-29; 15:8-12; Heb. 8:8-10; Rev. 19:7-9).

Gentiles Judgment for Continued Sin

Satan and his spirit rebels are permitted to further God's plan by testing the believing citizens, akin to a probationary period or a dispensation.

“Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell [Israel], severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

God's provision of redemption: See Points 15 and 22 of God’s Purposes for Humankind

Learn more truth about God’s grace

As you may know, there is a mountain of confusion and controversy regarding Christ’s second coming and “the rapture of His Church—pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib.” Be strongly encouraged to get crystal clarity by understanding an important comprehensive Bible study entitled “Victorious Eschatology” by Dr. Harold R. Eberle. It just may surprise you.

See some thoughts about Reasons for God's Dispensational Dealings

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Understand the doctrine of sin here

Thank you also Finis Jennings Dake, Dake Publishing, and their book, God’s Plan for Man.