Legacy International Bible College

Changing Lives Through the Word of God

GOD’S PLAN OF
THE AGES

Legacy International Bible College

P.O. Box 895
Liberty, SC 29657
Email: [email protected]

1
2
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES

Legacy International Bible College

Changing Lives Through the Word of God

All rights are reserved. These materials, in part or in the whole, are not to
be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the
Copyright holder.

Copyright © 1979 by
Grace and Truth Evangelistic Association
Copyright assigned (1996) to
Source of Light Ministries International,
Madison, GA.

AUTHOR: Dr. Gerald L. Stover

EDITOR: Rev. Norman F. Gordon, Jr.

3
 CONTENTS

PART I
GLOSSARY 3
AN INTRODUCTION TO DISPENSATIONS 3
KEY TO THE DISPENSATIONAL CHART 6
INNOCENT OR RIGHTEOUS 8

PART II
GLOSSARY 18
MAN FOLLOWS HIS CONSCIENCE 18
GOD INSTITUTES GOVERNMENT 22
GOD CALLS A NEW PEOPLE 27

PART III
GLOSSARY 36
ISRAEL RECEIVES THE LAW 36
ISRAEL FAILS UNDER THE LAW 40
THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE LAW 43

PART IV
GLOSSARY 51
THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE 51
WHY GOD CAN NOW DEAL IN GRACE 54
THE RESTRICTION UNDER GRACE 57
OUR RELATIONSHIP UNDER GRACE 59

PART V
GLOSSARY 67
APOSTASY - THE RUINATION OF THE AGE OF GRACE 67
TRIBULATION - JUDGMENT FOR GRACE REJECTED 70
ARMAGEDDON 73
THE MILLENNIUM - UTOPIA AT LAST 78

PART VI
GLOSSARY 87
ANALYZING THE FINAL DISPENSATION 87
LEARNING TO READ AND STUDY DISPENSATIONALLY 92
THINGS THE DISPENSATIONS TEACH US 96

PLAN YOUR WEEK: We highly recommend that the student schedule study time on a routine, daily basis, as
though he were actually attending classes. A systematic schedule is the only way to ensure completing all the
materials on time as required. The biggest problem with taking correspondence work is the possibility of
waiting until the “last minute” to complete the work.

PRAY over your study of the Word. Human ability is not enough; the energies of the human mind are not
sufficient in themselves. The Christian student requires the ministry of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the
sense of the Word, and whereby proper application can be made to one's personal life. Pray that God will
translate your studies into life and activity for Christ.
4
BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT: You will not learn it all at once. You will learn truth by truth, lesson by
lesson. Do not be discouraged if a portion of the study seems to be more difficult than another. Be patient and
stick to it. You will master the lesson in due time, and as you progress in the Word, you will be happy that you
persisted in your program of study. Study pays rich dividends in terms of knowledge, personal experience, and
usefulness to God.

GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART I INNOCENCY

OBJECTIVES FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART I
When completed with Christian Growth: Part I, the student should be able to:

* Define a dispensation.
* Name the seven dispensations in order.
* Prove that the Bible can be rightly divided.
* List the six key words that show the characteristics of each dispensation.
* Explain the test that God provides for man, man’s failure to obey God, and God’s remedy for man’s
failure in the first dispensation.

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART I

1. Death: Death is defined in the words of James 2:26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also. The body without the spirit is said to be dead; death implies a separation
therefore. Three kinds of death are viewed in Scripture: spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1), physical death
(James 2:26), eternal death (Revelation 20:14).
2. Depravity: A term referring to man's position before God; it points out the fact that man in the totality of his
being - his intellect, emotions, and will - is incapable of producing righteousness, God's righteousness. It
indicates that there is nothing man can do to gain acceptance with God.
3. Dispensation: The translation of a Greek word, oikonomia, pointing to the management of a household or the
affairs of the household; the administration of property belonging to others. In Biblical interpretation, it
designates God's method of dealing with man during a certain period of time.
4. Innocence: The word points to freedom from sin and legal guilt.
5. Mystery: Mystery in the Bible does not refer to something mysterious, but to a secret that had not been
revealed before but now is revealed. The secret of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament but is
revealed in the New Testament.
6. Second: Adam Jesus Christ is considered the second Adam because He heads up a new "race" or "creation";
a spiritual creation.
7. Seven: A number which often signifies "completeness" in the Bible.

GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART I

INNOCENCY
I. AN INTRODUCTION TO DISPENSATIONS

Have you ever entered the wrong house by accident? I was visiting relatives in New York and got into the
wrong apartment house. I rode up and down the elevator trying to find the right floor when all the while I was in
the wrong building.

5
Such experiences are amusing because they are of little consequence. However, when we are confused in
matters pertaining to God's Word, it is not amusing because the consequences are eternal.
A. The Bible Teaches Us to Distinguish Things That Differ

1. The Bible has certain proper divisions

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). According to this verse, it is plain that the Bible has certain proper divisions. It also
appears that we may "divide" the Word of Truth rightly as a result of careful study. It is assumed by this verse
that not every Christian can do this, and that some even divide it wrongly.

(1) Second Timothy 2:15 teaches us that the Bible has certain proper______________________.
(2) It is possible to divide the Bible rightly or ________________________.

2. The Bible does not contradict itself

Saint Augustine is credited with the following words of wisdom, "Distinguish the ages, and the Scriptures will
harmonize." What did Augustine mean? There are always those who never tire of pointing out the so-called
contradictions in the Bible. The Holy Spirit never contradicts Himself! Although He employed more than forty
different writers over a period of perhaps as much as sixteen hundred years, God is really the author of Scripture
and never contradicts Himself! The contradiction is in our failure to rightly divide the word of truth. In other
words, when we encounter what seems to be a contradiction, we may be sure that the fault lies with our inability
to distinguish things that differ, and not with the Bible itself.

(3) According to Saint Augustine, when the Bible seems to contradict itself, it is because of our failure to
______________________________________________________________________________________.

B. There are Proper Divisions in the Bible

Before you go any further, list all of the divisions you know about in the Bible:
______________________________ ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________

There are doubtless some divisions you haven't named. You probably thought of the Old Testament and the
New Testament. Did you note the divisions cited by our Lord in Luke 24:44? These were the ancient divisions
of the Old Testament. How about the New Testament? There are the four gospels, the twenty-one epistles, one
book of history (Acts), and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The epistles may be divided into the "Universal
epistles," the Jewish-Christian epistles, and so on. There are, indeed, many divisions with which you are
familiar. Dr. A.T. Pierson used to compare the divisions of Scripture to his old-fashioned, cubby-hole desk.
"When things are piled up on the desk, there is confusion, but when I separate them and put them in their proper
cubby-hole, order and harmony exist."
C. The Dispensations

The word "dispensation" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word, oikonomia, which means the
management, arrangement, and administration of the affairs of the household. As it is used Scripturally, it
means the order or arrangement (management) of God's world-house. It points to that plan or arrangement by
which God deals with man during a certain period of time.

(4) Oikonomia is a Greek word translated ____________________ which means arrangement or

6
 management of the household.

God never changes, but His dealings with man do change. Have you ever wondered why you do not make a
pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year to worship God? (Deuteronomy 12:1-14; 1 Kings 11:33-36; Zechariah 14:16-
17.) Read these passages. Do you obey them? To find out why we do not obey these commands, look at Jesus'
words in John 4:20-24. Did you notice Jesus' reference to the hour? We recognize this at once to indicate not a
literal hour of sixty minutes, but a certain period of time during which God does things in a certain way. Isn't it
obvious, from this comparison of Scripture, that Jesus is saying that a new dispensation is about to begin in
which certain requirements and relationships of the former period will be replaced by new ones? The answer to
why we do not obey the Old Testament verses cited is easy. We are living in a new dispensation. The question
is solved by distinguishing the different periods of His dealings with man.

Consider a domestic servant. Let us suppose that this young lady has kept house for several years for an elderly
couple who get up at nine o'clock in the morning, eat their breakfast at ten o'clock, dinner at two o'clock, and
supper at five o'clock. They have no children, so the young lady is free by seven o'clock each evening. Let us
imagine that she changes jobs. She is employed by a middle-aged couple with three small children. She is given
a schedule for the household, but she decides that she doesn't need to look at it since she is an experienced
worker. She is awakened rudely at six o'clock and asked why there is no breakfast ready. The children are
clamoring for food at seven. About 11:30 she catches her breath and is resting, when suddenly the children
appear and demand dinner. Dinner, she learns, is at noon - not two. She gets supper on by five o'clock, but the
husband doesn't get home until seven. Supper is also a different time!

She gets ready to leave at eight, but she finds she is expected to sit with the children until eleven. By the end of
one day, she is completely confused and agrees to read the schedule. But what has been her trouble? There was
a different "law and order of the house," and only confusion resulted when she failed to understand it! Just so,
God changes His methods with man from time to time, and only confusion can result if we fail to understand
this fact.

(5) Though God never changes, his ____________________________________ do change.

(6) What instructions of Zechariah 14:16-17 do you not obey? (a)_____________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Why? ______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Thus, the purpose of studying "God's Plan of the Ages" is to acquaint the student with God's varying methods of
testing man through successive ages. We will learn:
1. what these ages are 2. what tests God has used 3. how man has responded

D. Conclusion

Have you been reading the Bible piecemeal, or do you study it with proper consideration for who is being
addressed, and during what period or dispensation of God's dealings with man? The next section will outline the
seven dispensations and explain why God changes the "order of the house."

(7) The purpose of studying the dispensations is to learn God's varying methods of
________________________________and testing him through successive ages.

7
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 10 points.
(1) Second Timothy 2:15 teaches us to rightly ________________________ the word of truth.
(2) According to this verse and the lesson material, we know that the Bible has certain proper ______________.
(3) What did Augustine counsel us to do? ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(4) What is the real cause of difficulty when people say that the Bible contradicts itself?
______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) Who is the author of the Bible? ____________________________________
(6) Does God ever contradict Himself? _________________
(7) Why don't we worship at Jerusalem as the Bible commands in Deuteronomy 12:1-14 and 1 Kings 11:33-36?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Does God ever change? _____________________
(9) Does God ever vary His method of dealing with man? _____________________
(10) Define the word "dispensation." ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page15)

II. KEY TO THE DISPENSATIONAL CHART

Included in this part is a dispensational chart. It is the easiest and best method yet devised to let the student
visualize the seven great dispensations of God's dealing with man. Before you study the chart, however, there is
one question which needs to be answered. Why have there been dispensations or varying methods in God's
dealing with man?
A. Dispensations Are Periods of Testing
Each dispensation involves a test. At first, these tests were simple, such as the test given to our first parents in
the Garden of Eden. However, as man's knowledge increased, God tested man accordingly and in progressive
steps. This has always been God's method. Added knowledge brings added responsibility. Through successive
dispensations, God revealed a little more of Himself to man and required man to walk by the light of each new
revelation.

In each dispensation or testing, man has failed. God was not taken by surprise (Acts 15:18); God already knew
that man would fail although man was convinced that he could succeed. Through man's failure, God taught that
man is completely sinful, depraved, and helpless in himself. Man cannot please God even if he wanted to do so
(Romans 8:7-8).

Dr. Donald G. Barnhouse used to explain the matter like this: "Sometimes after a test you may think, 'Well, if
the teacher had asked different questions or if I had more time, I could have passed.' God's seven great tests will
prove that man could not pass, no matter what the test."

Note: The number seven is important because numbers often have significance in Scripture and "seven"
signifies completeness. Once God has dealt with man through seven periods of responsibility, He will have
exhausted the possibilities of testing man and will have accomplished a complete work (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

(1) Each dispensation constitutes a ______________.

(2) Added knowledge always brings added ___________________.
8
(3) In every dispensation man ________ the test.
a. passes b. almost fails c. always fails
(4) The results of God's tests prove man to be _______.
a. essentially good b. neutral c. depraved
(5) The number seven signifies ______________________________.
B. Now Let's Look at the Chart (see inserted chart)
First, note that the chart is very simple. When searching for charts to teach dispensational truth, I found that
many of them tried to teach so much, that through complicated and endless detail, they taught nothing. Very
little has been included in this chart other than the dispensations themselves.
Secondly, the seven dispensations are named at the top of the chart reading from left to right as follows: 1.
INNOCENCY, 2. CONSCIENCE, 3. HUMAN GOVERNMENT, 4. PROMISE, 5. LAW, 6. GRACE,
7. KINGDOM. These dispensations are divided by vertical lines between which the name of the dispensation
appears. (Memorize the names of the dispensations.)
Thirdly, you will see that at the left side of the chart, there are six words: Responsibility, Restriction,
Relationship, Ruination, Reckoning, and Remedy. These words will analyze the dispensation from its beginning
to its ending in God's gracious intervention noted by the word "Remedy." Since the master chart was in full
color and your copy is not, you cannot follow these through each dispensation by the color-key, but if you read
directly across the chart from left to right, the verses for each heading will appear under each succeeding
dispensation. For instance, the Bible reference for Responsibility, under the dispensation of Innocency, is
Genesis 2:15. Under Conscience, the reference for Responsibility is Genesis 4:7. Under Human Government,
the reference is Genesis 9:1,6. Under Promise, the reference is Genesis 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:9. Under Law,
the reference is Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 4:1-2. Under Grace, the reference is John 3:16. And under
Kingdom, the reference is Zechariah 14:16-17. Each of six headings is handled in the same way.
Finally, notice that the half circles at each end of the chart represent eternity. The other distinctive features will
be explained as we move along in our study.
(6) The chart lists (a) ______________________dispensations beginning with
(b) _________________________ and ending with the (c) ___________________________.
C. Conclusion: God Has a Plan
We hope you are beginning to see that throughout the Bible there is a plan and a purpose. The happenings of
Scripture were not isolated incidents, but parts of a design which will culminate in man's good and God's glory.
The next section covers the first dispensation, Innocency, and will also show how the first three chapters of
Genesis dovetail with the last three chapters of Revelation.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.25 points

(1) How many dispensations are there? ________________________

(2) Why is the number seven important in Scripture? _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Each dispensation constituted a _____________________________________.
(4) Define again, from the first section, the term dispensation.________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) In each dispensation man's knowledge increased and so God tested him according to his new knowledge.
9
 (True or False) _______________
(6) These tests reveal that man will always ___________________ apart from God.
(7) Do you think that God tested man to find out what man would do, or to prove that he could not
succeed apart from God? ___________________________________________________
(8) Is God ever taken by surprise? _____________
(9) On the chart below write, from memory, the names of the seven dispensations (b,c,d,e,f,g,h) on the
appropriate blanks. Also write the answers for “a” and “i”.
(10) Study the chart as you have time and look up the references. I have studied the chart and
have looked up all the references. Date ____________
(Check your answers on pages 16)

III. INNOCENT OR RIGHTEOUS

10
The first man was named Adam, and until the Fall there was no sin in him. He was perfectly innocent. The
second Adam, Jesus Christ, was also innocent, and He was righteous as well. What is the difference? The
dictionary says that innocence is "a negative word, expressing less than righteous, upright, or virtuous, which
imply knowledge of good and evil, with free choice of the good. A little child or a lamb is innocent; a tried and
faithful man is righteous."
Adam was innocent because: (1) he lacked the consciousness of moral value (that which constitutes an action as
either right or wrong, good or evil), and (2) he was untried; he had never been tested. Thus his only virtue,
innocence, was a purely negative quality existing as a result of his creation rather than his personal goodness.

On the other hand, Jesus Christ was the tried and faithful Man, having met the tempter with eyes open and
successfully putting him to flight. He is indeed Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Had Adam succeeded, he
would have become righteous. The first dispensation is the sad story that is repeated again and again - man did
not succeed. He failed!

(1) Identify: (a) The first Adam ________________________________________________________________

(b) The second Adam _____________________________________________________________________
(2) How would you describe Adam right after the creation? ___________
a. righteous b. innocent c. evil
(3) Adam was innocent because of _______.
a. his creation b. his personal goodness c. his fall
(4) Righteousness implies knowledge of good and evil, with free choice of the good. (True or False) ____

A. The Background for This Dispensation

The Scriptural background for this dispensation is found in Genesis chapters 1-3. This should be read with
proper reverence and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, who wrote the Word, to make it plain (John 16:13-14). A
well-known scientist said recently, "The theory that the world and all that is in it came about of its own accord
by a mysterious process which we have pleased to call evolution is about as probable as a complete and
unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a print shop." The answer to such theories is found for the
believer in Hebrews 11:3.

(5) Read Genesis chapters 1-3. I have read Genesis 1-3. Date ________________
(6) What is our basis for rejecting the evolutionist's theory of the beginning of the world according to
Hebrews 11:3? _________________________________________________________________________

B. Proof of Adam's Innocence

Adam's innocent condition is indicated:

1. By the tree (Genesis 2:16-17). It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God
wisely and graciously sought to withhold from man; therefore, it was obviously this very
knowledge (i.e., of moral values) which man lacked.

2. By the attitude of Adam and Eve toward their physical condition (Genesis 2:25). And they
were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. As soon as man received a
moral conscience, the first thing he wanted was a covering for his body. Nudity, whether
complete or in part, is shameful and sinful (Exodus 32:25; Leviticus 20:17,23-24;
Lamentations 1:8; Revelation 3:18). The reason for the lack of shame among many today is
not innocence, but a seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2).

11
3. By the test (Genesis 2:16-17). It was a simple command with no moral explanations.
(7) Lack of moral values, lack of shame toward their physical condition, and the fact that the test
command had no moral explanation, show Adam's _______________ condition.

(8) The tree of Genesis 2:16-17 represented the knowledge of ___________________________.

C. Analyzing the Dispensation
(Follow along on the chart as you study the next sections.)

(9) There are six key words or thoughts concerning man in each dispensation. You will find
these words on the extreme left of the dispensational chart. Copy these key words below.

Key words for each dispensation:

(a) ___________________________ (d) ___________________________
(b) ___________________________ (e) ___________________________
(c) ___________________________ (f) ___________________________

(10) In each dispensation God tests man by giving him a ___________________.

(This is the first word in your list above.)

(11) Man always fails the test, but God is always gracious and provides a __________________.

1. Responsibility

Man's responsibility in this first dispensation was easy and enjoyable. He had only to dress and keep a garden
which had no weeds, no thorns, and in which everything good grew of itself. It was a pleasant and profitable
way for man to spend his time. He would enjoy the fruits and flowers, pruning their branches and trimming
their leaves, while walking among God's animal creatures in perfect bliss and peace (Genesis 2:15).

(12) The first dispensation is called __________________________.

(13) Man's responsibility was simply to _____________________________________________.
(14) Man’s responsibility was ______.
a. dreadful b. difficult c. enjoyable

2. Restriction

Man's restriction was a simple demand for obedience (Genesis 2:16-17). God said, Thou shalt not eat of it: for
in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Literally it reads, "dying, thou shalt die.")

We learn, at this point, that God's Word means what it says, and says what it means. In the day they ate, they
were separated from God because of their disobedience. This separation is spiritual death (cf. Ephesians 2:1-
13). Immediately the processes of deterioration within the body began, which processes would ultimately result
in physical death (the separation of the soul and spirit from the flesh).
(15) The restriction that God put on man was _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(16) God's penalty for disobedience was _____________________________.
(17) What is spiritual death? __________________________________________
3. Relationship

12
In such an environment, man walked with God. His relationship to God was direct, unbroken by sin. Under the
dispensation of grace we are brought into a new relationship to God, and we enjoy a new fellowship with God
through the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses from sin
(1 John 1:3, 7).

(18) During this first dispensation what was man's relationship to God?____________________
4. Ruination

Man's ruination was brought about by a threefold lust (Genesis 3:6), And when the woman saw that the tree was
good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the
fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Compare this passage with 1
John 2:16 in which is found the corresponding threefold temptation to sin: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life.

(19) Man's fall was brought about by a three-fold lust:

(a) ________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________
(c) ________________________________________________

5. Reckoning

In God's reckoning with man many changes take place. Remember, God always deals with sin; sooner or later
there is a reckoning. God may not settle His accounts today, or tomorrow, but judgment is coming.

a. The serpent was changed (Genesis 3:14-15).

b. The woman was changed (Genesis 3:16).
c. The earth was changed (Genesis 3:17-18).
d. Man's work was changed (Genesis 3:19).
e. Man's habitation and relationship to God were changed (Genesis 3:23-24).

We shall also see in the next lesson how man's nature was changed.

(20) God ____________ deals with sin.

a. never b. sometimes c. always
(21) Name several things that changed as a result of man's sin.
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ___________________________________________________________________________________

6. Remedy
What was God's answer to man's flagrant and willful disobedience? Did it find God unprepared? Was He
surprised by the ingratitude and rebellion of the creature He had made? No, God had preceded man and was
prepared for his failure. We may disappoint God, but we never take Him by surprise (Acts 15:18)! God was just
in judging man's sin, but God is also love. So God made provision for man (Genesis 3:21). Note that man had
tried to make provision for himself (Genesis 3:7).The fig leaves were man's first attempt to make himself
presentable and acceptable to God by his own efforts. God completely disregarded them and made coats of skin.
He taught man two lessons:
a. Without the shedding of blood, there is no covering for sin (skins are the result of sacrifice

13
 Hebrews 9:22).
b. Only God can provide a covering, or an atonement, for man (see Isaiah 64:6; Zechariah 3:1-4;
Matthew 22:11-13; Revelation 19:8.) This is God's immediate remedy for Adam, and it is the first
portrait of Calvary in the Bible. God also promised an ultimate remedy (Genesis 3:15) in the Seed of
the woman - Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). Jesus is the second Adam and the head of the new creation,
just as Adam was head of the old creation. The Scriptures set them in contrast.

IN ADAM IN CHRIST

All die (1 Corinthians 15:22) All are made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)

All are lost (John 3:3,6) All are “born-again” and saved
John (1:12- 13)

All have sinned (Romans 5:12,19) All have obtained perfect righteousness
(Colossians 1:20-22)

Paradise was lost (Genesis 3:23-24) Paradise is regained

(Revelation 20:6; 21:1-4; 22:1-5)

(22) What was man's first attempt to make himself presentable and acceptable to God by his own efforts?
______________________________________________________________________________________

(23) What two lessons did God teach by making man coats of skin?
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________

(24) Cite a Scripture reference that tells of the necessity of shedding blood for sin's covering.
______________________________________________________________________________________
D. Conclusion: In Adam or In Christ?
Nicodemus was a good man in Adam. He nevertheless needed to be born again into the spiritual family of God.
He needed to become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ask yourself, "Am I in Adam, or am I in
Christ?" Read carefully John 1:12-13, and ask God to show you how you can receive Christ by believing, that
is, trusting yourself completely to Him. If you have problems, let your supervisor know about them
immediately. The next Part will show what man did with his newly-acquired knowledge of good and evil.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 10 points.
True or False:
(1) Adam was innocent because he was untried; he had never been tested. ____________
(2) Jesus Christ was righteous because He was tried and faithful. ____________
(3) Man's responsibility in the first dispensation was to obey his conscience. _____________
(4) Man's relationship to God in the first dispensation was unbroken by sin. _____________
(5) Spiritual death is separation from God. ____________
14
(6) Instead of judging man's first sin, God forgave him. ____________
(7) Man's ruination was brought about by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life._______
(8) In God's reckoning with man in the dispensation of innocency, only man's relationship to God was
changed. ____________
(9) God's immediate remedy for man's sin was the fig leaves.____________
(10) God's ultimate remedy for man's sin was the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. ____________
(Check your answers on pages 16)
Pre-Test

PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 3, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of Part
I of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand. It is a
good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again. Try to
take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key.
Each answer is worth 3.3 points.
(1) How would you define death? ______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(2) What is meant by the word dispensation? _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Define innocence. ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(4) Explain in as much detail as you possibly can what it means to rightly divide the word of truth
(2 Timothy 2:15). ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) What is the inevitable result of failing to rightly divide the Scriptures? ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(6) What did Saint Augustine say about the ages, and give in your own words your explanation of what
he said. _______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) While it is true that God never changes, it is also true that His ___________ of dealing with man do change.
(8) Each dispensation involves a (a) ________________. Added knowledge of God always entails greater
(b) ________________. In each dispensation man has (c) _______________ to meet his responsibility.
(9) Name the seven dispensations:
(a) ________________________________ (e) ________________________________
(b)________________________________ (f) ________________________________
(c) ________________________________ (g) ________________________________
(d) ________________________________
(10) Each dispensation provided an increase in ______________________________ for man.
(11) If we say that Adam was created innocent, what do we really mean?_______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(12) Describe Adam's conduct following his transgression of the will of God. ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

15
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
(13) What does Hebrews 11:3 testify to so far as the beginning of the world is concerned?_________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(14) What was the test of man under the dispensation of innocence? __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(15) What are the six key words or thoughts concerning man in each dispensation?
(a) ___________________________ (d) ___________________________
(b) ___________________________ (e) ___________________________
(c) ___________________________ (f) ___________________________
(16) Explain the restriction placed upon man in the first dispensation, and the threatened penalty for
disobedience. __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(17) Explain the meaning of the fact that Eve saw that the tree was good for food. ________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(18) Explain the meaning of the lust of the eyes. __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(19) Explain the meaning of the pride of life. _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(20) What great spiritual lesson have you learned for your own heart from the study of the first dispensation?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answer on page 16)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Turn to page 3 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part I,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand. Review
the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to take the test. Find
the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part I.” You may NOT use your notes or the Bible
when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or altogether when you finish the Unit.
Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for you.

16
 ANSWER KEY
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART I

I. AN INTRODUCTION TO DISPENSATIONS
(1) divisions
(2) wrongly
(3) rightly divide the Word
(4) dispensation
(5) dealings with man
(6) (a) make a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem
(b) we have different instructions now (or) we must worship God in Spirit and truth
(7) dealing with man

REVIEW
(1) divide
(2) divisions
(3) distinguish the ages and the Scriptures will harmonize
(4) failure to rightly divide the Word of Truth
(5) God (or) Holy Spirit
(6) no
(7) we live under different "house-rule" or instructions from God
(8) no
(9) yes
(10) it is the plan or arrangement by which God deals with man during a certain period of time

II. KEY TO THE DISPENSATIONAL CHART

(1) test
(2) responsibility
(3) c - always fails
(4) c - depraved
(5) completeness
(6) (a) seven (b) Innocency (c) Kingdom

REVIEW
(1) seven
(2) it is the number of completeness
(3) test
(4) it is the plan or arrangement by which God deals with man during a certain period of time
(5) true
(6) fail
(7) to prove to man that he could not succeed apart from God
(8) no
(9) (a) eternity (b) Innocency (c) Conscience (d) Human Government
(e) Promise (f) Law (g) Grace (h) Kingdom (i) eternity
(10) the date

III. INNOCENT OR RIGHTEOUS

(1) (a) Adam, the first man created (b) Jesus Christ
(2) b - innocent
17
(3) a - his creation
(4) true
(5) the date
(6) faith in the Word of God
(7) innocent
(8) good and evil
(9) (a) Responsibility (b) Restriction (c) Relationship (d) Ruination
(e) Reckoning (f) Remedy
(10) responsibility
(11) remedy
(12) Innocency
(13) dress and keep the garden
(14) c - enjoyable
(15) not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
(16) death
(17) separation from God
(18) direct (or) he walked with God
(19) (a) lust of the flesh (b) lust of the eyes (c) pride of life
(20) c - always
(21) (a) serpent (b) woman (c) earth (d) man's work (e) man's relation to God
(any three of the above is sufficient)
(22) covering himself with fig leaves
(23) (a) without the shedding of blood there is no covering of sin
(b) only God can provide a covering for man's sin
(24) Hebrews 9:22

REVIEW
(1) true
(2) true
(3) false
(4) true
(5) true
(6) false
(7) true
(8) false
(9) false
(10) true

PRE-TEST
(1) the body without the spirit is said to be dead; death implies a separation
(2) management or administration; is used of God's method of dealing with man during a certain period of time
(3) freedom from sin and legal guilt - Never tried, never tested
(4) you may have included these ideas: distinguish things that differ; recognize differences in administration in
God's household; recognize that God never changes but His dealings with man do
(5) confusion; one will apply God's dealing with man in another dispensation to the present dispensation
(6) "Distinguish the ages, and the Scriptures will harmonize." The Bible will not appear to have contradictions if
you distinguish the ages
(7) methods
(8) (a) test (b) responsibility (c) failed

18
(9) (a) Innocency (b) Conscience (c) Human Government (d) Promise
(e) Law (f) Grace (g) Kingdom
(10) knowledge (or) responsibility
(11) he lacked the consciousness of moral value and he was untried
(12) he hid from God and tried to make provision for himself by covering himself with fig leaves
(13) we understand the creation account by faith
(14) a simple demand for obedience - not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree
(15) (a) Responsibility (b) Restriction (c) Relationship
(d) Ruination (e) Reckoning (f) Remedy
(16) Thou shalt not eat of it (the tree) for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
(17) she lusted after (desired) the fruit and wanted to eat it
(18) she saw that the fruit was pleasant to look upon and she wanted the forbidden thing
(19) She believed the serpent who told her that it was a tree to be desired to make one wise. She wanted to be
wise like God
(20) student's own answer

19
 GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART II CONSCIENCE,
HUMAN GOVERNMENT, PROMISE
When completed with Christian Growth: Part II, the student should be able to:

* Explain the test, man's failure, and God's remedy in the Dispensation of Conscience.
* Explain the test, man's failure, and God's remedy in the Dispensation of Human Government.
* Explain the test, man's failure, and God's remedy in the Dispensation of Promise.
* Explain why man's conscience is not a reliable guide for conduct pleasing to God.
* Explain the difference between the terms "conditional" and "unconditional."

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART II

1. Apostasy: The willful rejection of, defection from, rebellion against or departure from truth.
2. Conditional: That which is subject to, implies, or is dependent upon stipulations or conditions for its
fulfillment.
3. Conscience: The moral faculty in man wherewith he distinguishes between right and wrong.
4. Unconditional: See above definition for "Conditional." Not subject to stipulations or conditions; absolute,
not dependent upon conditions. In terms of the Scripture, God will do what He has promised regardless of
man's attitude or response to God.

GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART II

CONSCIENCE, HUMAN GOVERNMENT, PROMISE

I. MAN FOLLOWS HIS CONSCIENCE

"Let your conscience be your guide." This little piece of advice has been given many times and is usually
supposed to be very excellent counsel. Whether or not man's conscience is a reliable guide, and how far it can
be trusted, will be seen as we study the second dispensation.

(1) Some people believe that man's conscience is a ____________________________________.

A. What is Man's Conscience?

We learned in Part I, that as originally created, man was sinless and innocent. In his primeval purity, he walked
with God in unbroken fellowship and enjoyed the wonders of God's "very good" creation. In his innocency, he
had not experienced the distinction between good and evil. God gave him a simple command to obey to test him
in his innocent state. In the ways and wisdom of God, this very test involved the question of man's right to
moral knowledge found in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man not only became a sinner (by
disobeying God), but he also became, at the same time, a morally responsible individual in a new sense (by
gaining the knowledge of good and evil).

(2) God gave man a simple command to obey in order to _____________________ in his innocent state.

(3) What two changes occurred in man upon his eating of the tree of knowledge?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
20
 (b) ____________________________________________________________________________________

Now this is precisely what conscience is. According to definition, conscience is "the faculty by which
distinctions are made between right and wrong in conduct and character" (Dictionary). So man could no longer
be said to be innocent. He was both guilty of sin (thus losing his purity) and intelligent toward moral values
(thus becoming possessed of a conscience).

(4) Conscience is the faculty to distinguish between (a)_________________ and (b) _________________
in (c)_________________ and (d) _____________________.

B. Is Conscience a Safe Guide and Why?

This knowledge of good and evil, this distinction between right and wrong, placed man on an altogether
different footing before God. And since man was on a different footing before God, he must now be tested on
the basis of this change. Since man now possessed the knowledge of good and evil, he became responsible to
"do good." But if man was weak in the first dispensation, he was worse off now. He was positively sinful. He
possessed a sinful nature.

(5) What responsibility did man have since he now possessed the knowledge of good and evil? _____________
(6) Man, who had been innocent, was now ________________________ by nature.

In Genesis 1:26, the Godhead took counsel together and said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: . . . God created man in his own image. But when man fell from his original purity, that image was
effaced. God, describing the effects upon man, said, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). Man's sinfulness was not simply an "act," but a "state."
Furthermore, man could not help but impart his sinful nature to his posterity. When a son was born to Adam, he
was born in his (Adam's) own likeness, after his image (Genesis 5:1-3).

This is the truth which the Psalmist conveyed centuries later in the words, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and
in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5). It is the truth of Romans 5:19: by one man's (Adam's)
disobedience many were made sinners. It is the thing which caused Paul to say, I know that in me (that is, in my
flesh,) dwelleth no good thing (Romans 7:18). So man began the second dispensation; not only responsible to
do the good he now knew, but unable to do it (as we shall see) because of a perverted and sinful nature received
from Adam, the father of us all.

(7) In whose image was man originally made?_________________

(8) Whose image did Adam pass on?____________________________________________________________
(9) What are two Scripture references which verify this? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) Man's sinfulness was not simply an (a) "__________________________," but a
(b) "__________________________."

In addition to this, conscience itself was vulnerable. If it cried out too loudly, man found that he could silence it
by a reasoning which would build a barricade of excuses for his wrong deed, against which his conscience
could not prevail. Thus conscience became "seared" (1 Timothy 4:2). The picture is that of a hot iron being
placed against the flesh. The pain is intense at first, but becomes less and less and finally ceases. The skin is
then past feeling (Ephesians 4:19).

This explains why people can sometimes live in flagrant sin and never have a sleepless night, never a prick of
conscience. The acid of conscience has been neutralized by frequent rationalization (excuse making). Thus
21
conscience tends to orient itself with the accepted standards of those around us, regardless of how wrong these
may be, instead of holding to the absolute standard of right and wrong. We lose our discernment, and
conscience fails to be a deterrent to sin as long as the sin is a generally accepted one. Like water, it seeks the
lowest level and satisfies itself with the lowest common denominator and hence is no guide at all.

(11) Why can't conscience be a reliable deterrent to sin? ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
(12) What Scripture points out searing? _________________________________________________________

C. Analyzing the Dispensation (see dispensational chart, Part I)

1. Responsibility

Hardly had the Dispensation of Conscience gotten underway, when difficulty appeared. Again, it was man's
proud desire to prove himself acceptable to God by what his own hands could produce. Cain brought an
offering of the fruit of the ground over which he had labored, while Abel offered the firstlings of the flock, a
blood offering made according to the example given by God in providing the coats of skin for Adam and Eve.
Hence Abel's offering was made "in faith" (Hebrews 11:4) while Cain offered according to his own will
(Colossians 2:23). God explained to Cain what He required, in Genesis 4:7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be
accepted? To do well was to act in faith and according to the right principles which Cain's own conscience
witnessed to. This Cain refused to do, and in this he set the pattern for those who followed him.

(13) Abel's offering was made in (a) ____________ while Cain's was made according to (b) _______________.

2. Restriction

Notice that there is no definite restriction placed upon man. This is because of the very nature of the test. If man
is to be tested under the responsibility to do the right thing as directed by his conscience, then conscience alone
must provide any restrictions which are necessary. It was not a test to see if man would follow a set of rules -
this would come later. This period of testing involved man's moral knowledge, whether man would do the thing
he knew was right, and refuse the thing he knew was wrong, as directed by his conscience. By failing, man
showed that what he lacked was not knowledge - but the ability to do well.

(14) Any restriction at this time of testing was to come from man's own ___________________.

(15) Man thus showed not the lack of knowledge, but an inability to ______________________.
3. Relationship
Man's relationship to God was an individual matter, as will be seen by the verses on the chart. This is important,
for as we go along we will see that this too, changed in later dispensations. Man was individually responsible
and was dealt with individually. Thou hast driven me out this day from . . . thy face indicated the breakdown in
Cain's relationship with God. As always, this was Cain's fault - not God's.
4. Ruination

The ruination of man in this dispensation demonstrates perfectly just how corrupt man's conscience can become.
God's description is striking: Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis
6:5). "Every" - "Only" - "Always", what else could be said. The failure was total, absolute, irremediable.

(16) Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only _____________________________ shows
22
 why man's relationship to God was broken.

(17) Man's relationship to God was _______.

a. an individual matter b. a group matter c. a national matter

5. Reckoning

The result was inevitable. Apostasy - the willful rejection of truth and right -always leads to judgment. There is
much discussion these days about a local Flood. I am not an expert, but I believe one would have to dodge a
great deal of very plain language to accept such a view. We are told that there are too many problems involved
for the Flood to have covered the whole earth. There are only problems where there is no God. Admit that this
was an act of God and the problems vanish - God is God! He doeth according to his will . . . among the
inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35).

Notice that Peter (2 Peter 3:4-9) uses the Flood as a warning of the judgments that are coming at the end of this
age. As man rejected the warnings of God's servant, Noah, so they reject the warnings of God's men today. But
every time Noah's hammer rang upon the ark it was crying "Judgment is coming! . . . Judgment is coming!" so
that men were without excuse.

(18) Apostasy is ___________________________________________________________________________.

(19) Apostasy always leads to _________________________________________________________________.
6. Remedy
The remedy of God is given in Genesis 6:8. God in grace warned Noah, and Noah, in faith, built the ark to the
saving of his household. The ark was the place of safety. Outside were the waters of judgment which
overflowed and destroyed all flesh. The ark is again (as were the coats of skin) a picture of Jesus Christ, who is
the "ark of salvation." Those who enter into Christ by faith, do so the same way Noah entered the ark (Hebrews
11:7). He committed himself to it in the belief that it could and would save him. Likewise, those who commit
themselves to Christ will be saved eternally from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
(20) How did Noah demonstrate faith in God? ____________________________________________________
(21) Why is Christ considered the "ark of salvation?" ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Conclusion
I wonder about you. Can you name a time and place when you, by personal faith, entered the Ark, Christ Jesus.
If not, why not make the time right now, and the place right where you are. Believing that Christ died for your
sins and now lives to save all who come to Him, will you this moment repent of your sins and by personal faith
accept Him as your Savior? We trust that, if you never have, you will.
Man failed under Conscience. Perhaps he lacked authority. In the next section we will see how God ordained an
authority for man and how God determined the boundaries of the nations.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 7.6 points.
(1) Is conscience a safe guide? ____________ Explain why or why not.________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

23
 _______________________________________________________________________________________
(2) What is conscience? ______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) How do we know that man had a conscience after the Fall? _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(4) Man was created in whose image? ___________________________________________________________
(5) What image did Adam pass on to his children? _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(6) What is a "seared" conscience? _____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) Abel's offering was by faith because it was made according to _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Why is there no restriction placed on man under this dispensation? _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(9) Where did man's conscience lead him? Every __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________was only ______________ continually.
(10) What does the ark portray and how can we enter in? ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 33)

II. GOD INSTITUTES GOVERNMENT

Every visitor to New York City should stop at three important landmarks: the Statue of Liberty, symbol of the
greatest nation on earth; the Empire State Building, symbol of the greatest economic system on earth; and the
United Nations Building, symbol of the greatest rebellion against God on earth. We believe God's Word
strongly sustains this view! "What," you may ask, "can a book written nearly 4000 years ago teach me about the
United Nations and world events today?" We believe it can teach us a great deal, especially in the Dispensation
of Human Government.
A. Government Established by God
In Romans 13:1 we read, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:
the powers that be are ordained of God. In this very plain language, the Holy Spirit thus asserts that human
government is not the invention of man but the instrument of God. We saw in the last lesson how man failed to
regulate his actions when left to his conscience. He found that he could (and still can today) rationalize or
excuse his way out of feeling guilty for his wrong doings. In this way, he silenced his conscience so that it no
longer was useful as a regulator of his actions.
Now it is a well-known fact that it is easier to judge the faults of others than to see our own. In other words, the
ability to discern between right and wrong is always sharper when we are not personally involved. We can
easily "see" who is at fault when there is a dispute between others, but when we are involved we quickly
develop a moral "blind spot." We can't see any wrong on our side. Since this is true, it seems obvious that if one
man, or a group of men, would undertake to regulate the conduct of other men, the result would be better than
simply allowing all men to do that which was right in (their) own eyes. This is the basic principle of human
government.
It would be well to note, that while Human Government failed as a period of testing, it is still the means God
uses to restrain the full outbreak of man's corrupt nature. It has and will continue until, He (Christ) shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority and
power (1 Corinthians 15:24).
24
(1) Who established human government? ___________
(2) Since human government failed as a dispensation, why does God still allow it to exist?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) What does God command us in Romans 13:1? _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
B. Analyzing the Dispensation (see dispensational chart, Part I)

1. Responsibility

The new dispensation begins after the Flood (Genesis 9). (Open your Bible to this passage.) It is here that God
sets forth man's new responsibilities. First notice the simple command to be fruitful and replenish the earth. The
Hebrew word translated replenish literally means to fill. Hence God's first command was to multiply and spread
abroad so as to populate the whole earth.

The second command involves the most sacred of all responsibilities, the right and duty to avenge human life.
This is commonly called capital punishment and is set forth in Genesis 9:5-6. Notice God says in verse five, I
will require (i.e., man's blood), and in verse six, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.

(4) List the two commands (responsibilities) God gives at the start of this dispensation.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________

The inference, then, is plain. God requires, at a murderer's hand, the blood of any other human being, but since
God (in verse six) delegates capital punishment to man, He has placed man in the position of ruling for God.
Therein lies the real test of this dispensation - to see whether or not man will rule for the glory of God or pervert
his authority to selfish and sinful ends.

(5) Man has now been placed in the position of ruling for _______________________________.
(6) What are the two choices man has in this test?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
Capital punishment is both the foundation and the capstone of all human government. Where men can avenge
murder by taking life, they have entered into the supreme right of any government. That is why we call this
period the Dispensation of Human Government. It is at this point in man's history that he began to make
judgments against wrong doers, and as he did, government, in all its complexities, was the gradual and
inevitable outcome. It was inevitable because it soon became evident to man that such a serious matter as
executing justice could not be left to the whims and passions of anyone who chose to become a law unto
himself. Man learned that he must appoint a judge, or ruler, and that there must be those who would carry out
his decisions and protect his sovereignty. So human government became a foregone conclusion, flowing
naturally from its supreme right - the avenging of murder by capital punishment.
How simple and yet how wise are the ways of God. He need not set forth a detailed program for government to
attain His end. He knows that the key of all authority is the right to judicially take life, and establishing this fact,
all human government is appointed to rule for Him. It must be noted also that when this basic function is no
longer exercised, governmental authority begins to crumble.

(7) Capital punishment is both the (a) ___________________ and the (b) ________________________ of all
25
 human government.
(8) What is the supreme right of any government? ____________________________________________

Finally, notice that God refers back to the dignity bestowed upon the race at creation as the criterion of man’s
attitude in his dealings with man. In the image of God created he him. The fact that man did not retain this
image does not lessen the dignity of his original state as created, and it is in the light of that dignity that man
must rule for God.
2. Restriction

The restrictions under the third dispensation are again a reminder that life is from God. The habitation of this
mysterious thing called life is given: The life of the flesh is in the blood. If human lifeblood is sacred and not to
be shed, then animal lifeblood is to be held in reverence and not be eaten (Genesis 9:4). At this time, God gives
His sanction to the eating of meat (Genesis 9:3). It should be noted, in passing, that partaking of animal blood is
not approved by the Law given by Moses (Leviticus 3).

(9) What are the two restrictions given during the Dispensation of Human Government?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________

No further comment would be necessary here were it not for fantastic and groundless assertions of the Russelite
cult that the transfusing of blood is "eating blood." Dr. Walter R. Martin in his book, Jehovah's Witnesses, says,
"By some method of reasoning, not connected with the processes of logical thought, the Watchtower suddenly
discovered that blood transfusions were Biblically forbidden. Unhampered by the fact that the Bible never
speaks on the subject, the Watchtower announced (July 1, 1945) in an article entitled, 'Sanctity of Blood' that it
is a violation of Jehovah's Covenant to transfuse human blood, even if the life of the patient was at stake . . .
Just which covenant they are referring to remains a mystery since the Bible speaks of no covenant even
remotely connected with blood transfusions. The third chapter of Leviticus speaks of animal blood being eaten,
not human blood being transfused."

(10) The Bible forbids _______.

a. eating animal blood b. blood transfusions c. both of the above

3. Relationship

It will be noted, that under Relationship on the chart, no reference is given. This is because the relationship must
be gleaned from the general tenor of the Scripture and from such histories as Josephus' Antiquities. The general
practices among the nations from this time on, however, was for the national head (chief or king) to preside as
the contact with God. An Old Testament illustrationis Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18). Secular history records the
same tendency, which led in some instances to the deification of the national head (as per some of the Caesars).

4. Ruination

"The U.N. Building at Babel." The ruination of man is set forth in Genesis chapters 10 and 11. When man
began to multiply, God gave orders as to the division of the nations (note Genesis 10:5, 20, 25, 32). A close
reading will show that these instructions were given to Eber (Genesis 10:25) who commemorates them by the
naming of his son, Peleg, meaning 'division'.

Dr. Candlish, in his very excellent two-volume work on Genesis, says, "When men were about to emerge from
what had hitherto been their home, God intervened to direct them. It was not His purpose that they should issue
forth in disorder, or that they should follow their own devices in their future settlements. He had a plan of His
26
own for the division of the earth among the families of men; and it was probably at this crisis that in some way
or other He gave intimation of that plan to the dispersing emigrants through Eber."

Perhaps there seems little intimation of this plan in the text as you read it, but a comparison of other Scripture
will show that God certainly made His purpose clear at some time to man, as regards national distinctions and
limitations (see Deuteronomy 32:8; Acts 17:26). We believe that Genesis 10-11 is the time, as the subsequent
judgment will show. Why should God judge man for building a tower and a city unless that building be in direct
disobedience to His revealed will? It seems quite obvious that man rebelled against God's direct orders.

Notice that the chart indicates that these orders were given about midway through the dispensation, or earlier,
and under the leadership of Nimrod, men began to build a world government, lest we be scattered abroad (as
God had directed) upon the face of the whole earth (Genesis 11:4). Nimrod and his apostles drew the world
after them in a plea of "unity for survival." Dr. Candlish says of this, "It was an act of daring rebellion against
the Most High; and in particular, against His prerogative of dividing to the nations their inheritance; being
avowedly intended for the very purpose of preventing the orderly dispersion which God had manifestly
appointed."

(11) God planned to ______________________ the people in an orderly fashion.

(12) Why did Nimrod begin to build a world government? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

God had His reasons for dividing the nations. Even if man did not know His reasons, he might well have rested
in the faith that God hath done all things well. But at least some of God's reasons have become obvious. Each
national group developed within itself certain forms of corruption and vice. When these are mixed they are the
first segments of culture which are adopted. When man instituted world government, which oversteps the
national boundaries which God instituted, local situations and isolated problems become world problems.

(13) When nations mingle and form as one, two things happen:
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

We will study the question at greater length later, but it may be noted that herein lies the great folly of the
United Nations and every other attempt at world government. It is the same old rebellion of Babel: Let us make
us a name. It leaves God out! Dr. Joseph Taylor Britan of Philadelphia wrote of the League of Nations what can
be aptly applied to the U.N.: "The fundamental weakness of the League of Nations lies in its ignoring God and
His claims upon the race for obedience, honor, and worship. And because these claims of God are ignored in all
the plans of men for peace, God has a controversy with the nations and never, until men and nations repent of
individual and national sins and turn in humility and surrender to God and to His Christ, can this old world
know peace and rest. Not only are we assured of the failure of the League of Nations and World Courts (and
U.N.) in the work of establishing peace on earth, because of the conscious or unconscious attempt to repeat the
Babel experiment, but the danger signals of prophecy are dead set against it. Prophecy declares that it is just
such a gigantic organization and federation that the Antichrist will one day dominate and use to bring upon the
world, not a blessing, not universal peace, but oppression and a curse" (Revelation 13,17).

Just a final word about the tower itself. Some have taught that men were attempting to get to heaven via this
tower (whose top may reach unto heaven), and others that men were attempting to avert another flood disaster
by building such a tower. Such views seem to us a bit naive. If men wanted to escape a flood, why not a boat?
Why a tower on a flat plain? No, the answer seems to be in this: the tower was to be the universal office of the
27
world government and (as Hislop shows in The Two Babylons) the universal religion, all in direct rebellion
from God's revealed government and religion. It was, as we said earlier, simply the U.N. building at Babel.

5. Reckoning

In God's reckoning, notice that the judgment was perfect and appropriate to the sin. The LORD is known by the
judgment which he executeth (Psalm 9:16). God divided them by nations - they refused and rebelled - so God
divided them by tongues. We may be perfectly sure that the lines of division outlined by God originally were
perfectly followed in this judgment, and so God's purpose was accomplished, but man missed the blessing of
obedience. He showed that he could not rule either himself (Proverbs 16:32) or others, and so the dispensation
ended in another failure for man.

(14) Since man refused to be dispersed God's way (with order), he was divided by
_____________________________________ and dispersed.

6. Remedy

God intervened in providing a remedy by choosing a single nation, as we shall see in the next section. Dr. C.I.
Scofield makes the following observation: "Genesis 11 and 12 mark an important turning point in the divine
dealing. Heretofore the history has been that of the whole Adamic race. There has been neither Jew nor Gentile;
all have been one in the first man Adam. Henceforth in the Scripture record, humanity must be thought of as a
vast stream from which God, in the call of Abram and the creation of the nation Israel, has but drawn off a
slender rill, through which He may (in Christ) purify the great river itself."

(15) It is at this point in time (Genesis 11-12) that the Adamic race is divided into (a) _______________ and
(b) ________________.
7. Conclusion

The Dispensation of Human Government is a deep and complex subject, and yet it holds forth great instruction
for the one who will study it carefully and prayerfully. The next section is a key one in that it introduces the
main actors in the next two (and part of the third) dispensations.

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 5 points

(1) Did human government originate with man or God? ____________________________________________

(2) Give a verse that proves your answer. _______________________________________________________
(3) What two responsibilities did man receive in this dispensation?
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(4) Does the Bible support or condemn capital punishment for murder? ________________________________
(5) Give a Scripture reference for (4). ___________________________________________________________
(6) Name two restrictions under this dispensation.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(7) Are blood transfusions forbidden by the Bible? ____________
(8) The general practice among the nations was for the _________________________________ to preside as
the contact with God.
28
(9) When God gave man His instructions for the division of the nations, to whom were they given?__________
(10) What verse in Genesis indicates this? _________________________________
(11) What New Testament verse supports it? _______________________________
(12) Babel was man's first attempt at world ________________________________.
(13) Give a reason for the division of the nations. What happens when they mingle?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(14) Does the Bible indicate that attempts at world government such as the League of Nations and the U.N. will
succeed or fail? ______________________________
(15) Who will rule this rebellious Babel someday? ____________________________
(16) Why does human government still exist after this dispensation? __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(17) Why did Nimrod begin to build a world government? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(18) How did God succeed in dispersing the people? _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 34)

III. GOD CALLS A NEW PEOPLE

Many centuries ago a Roman judge voiced a question which has troubled men ever since time began. He asked
simply, What is truth? Many have said, "What can I believe?" The problem of truth is more acute because of
man's inherent tendency to lie. It is hard for fallen man to tell the truth.

What a joy and comfort it should be to know that our God never lies! He always tells the truth. For God is not a
man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent (change His mind): hath he said, and shall
he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).

We pay great respect to a man when we take him at his word. And we please God when we believe what He has
spoken and act upon the conviction that His promises are faithful and true. It requires faith to believe, and so
God calls for faith in the Dispensation of Promise.

A. The Purpose of God in the Call of Abraham

In our last study, we noted that God purposed to keep a measure of purity within the nations by dividing them -
spreading them over all the earth. Man's refusal to obey God's instructions ended in the judgment of Babel. An
excellent note on this may be found on page 19 of your Scofield Reference Bible (1917 Edition); page 17 of
The New Scofield Reference Bible (1967 Edition). Please remember that man's failure did not take God by
surprise. God knew the outcome in the very beginning but gave man a chance to prove, by his failure, his own
rebellion and pride, seeing that the great river of mankind had utterly polluted itself.

It is through Israel that the Redeemer came to purify all men (1 John 2:2). It cannot be stressed too frequently
that from Genesis 12 to Acts 10 God is dealing primarily with Israel. The Old Testament is written almost
entirely by the Jew, about the Jew, and to the Jew. If you get this firmly in mind so that you recognize and
account for it in all of your reading and study, you hold one of the master keys to an understanding of the
Scriptures.

(1) God draws off a slender rill from the river of mankind. The rill is _____________________.
(2) The Old Testament is written almost entirely by the (a)_______________ about the
(b) ___________________ and to the (c) _________________.
29
God began this new work of dealing with a single nation (instead of all mankind) by calling a single man out of
heathen idolatry to walk with Him. This man was Abraham (Genesis 12). God's call of Abraham was purely of
grace that the purpose of God according to election might stand . . . not of him that willeth, nor of him that
runneth, (i.e., works for the blessing) but of God that showeth mercy. Along with God's gracious call certain
promises were given to Abraham. After Abraham's initial step of faith in leaving Ur and going into the land of
Canaan, these promises became unconditional, that is, they depended upon God alone for their fulfillment.
However, in order to receive the full blessing of God's promises, his posterity must dwell in the land. We see
then that though the promises were dependent only upon the faithfulness of God, the blessing of enjoying those
promises depended upon their obedience. They must stay in the land (Genesis 26:2-3). Often Abraham's faith
faltered and finally his posterity failed completely and the period of testing ended in a coffin in Egypt.

(3) How did God begin dealing with a single nation? _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(4) Did God call Abram out of obligation to Abram for his faithfulness or was it purely by grace?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) Define unconditional. _____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(6) What did the blessing of enjoying God's promises depend upon for Abram?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

By way of application to ourselves, it will be seen that Abraham belonged to the Lord by an act of sovereign
grace to which Abraham responded. If you are a saved person today, you are saved because God, in sovereign
grace, opened your eyes to your sin and His gracious forgiveness in Christ and you simply responded with, "I
believe that Christ died for my sins, and I now trust him forever to save me" (John 6:44; 15:16). Abraham thus
belonged forever to the Lord. But in order to enjoy His blessings, he had to dwell in the land to which God had
called him. And so in order for us to enjoy our salvation, we must abide in the Vine, Jesus Christ (John 15:4-8).
It is not our relationship which is in question (we are chosen by the Father), but our fellowship and blessing (1
John 1:6-7).

God's purpose in the call of Abraham may be seen in the following verses:

1. Isaiah 43:10. They were to be Jehovah witnesses. (Note: The Russelites' use of this phrase as a name
for their organization is an illustration of what happens when we fail to rightly divide the word of truth.
The title was given to the nation Israel only.)
2. Romans 3:1-2. Israel was to receive and preserve for the world the divine revelation - God's Word.
3. Romans 9:4-5. Israel was to bring forth from among themselves the world Redeemer (see also
Matthew 1:1).

(7) List with Scripture references the three purposes of God's calling Abraham.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
B. Analyzing the Dispensation (see dispensational chart, Part I)
1. Responsibility
As you read the verses on the chart, you will notice that through Abraham's initial obedience, God establishes
with him an unconditional covenant (Genesis 12:1-3,7; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 22:15-18). All the blessings which
God promised were for Abraham and his seed as long as he dwelt in the land to which God had called him.
30
(8) God established an (a) ______________________________ covenant with
(b) __________________________ blessings. This means the blessings would be received as long as
the people were (c) _____________________.
2. Restriction
In harmony with Abraham's responsibility was the restriction laid upon him (see the chart). If he believed the
promise of God that he would be blessed in the land, he would remain there, regardless of what the immediate
circumstances seemed to be. When Abraham and his posterity went out of the land (Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-18;
26:1-35; 28:10-15; 43-50), they were manifesting their unbelief in the promise of God and hence their failure
under this period of testing. In each instance, the one who left the land met with trouble, and although God
prospered each one, they usually returned, having reason to wish that they had never left. We derive the greatest
happiness through walking in obedience to God.
(9) If Abraham was going to receive the blessings, he had to (a) _____________________ in the land,
regardless of (b) ________________________________________________________________________.
(10) Man's greatest happiness comes from walking in ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
3. Relationship
As in the former dispensation, there is no direct verse which sets forth man's relationship with God. A reading
of the chapters covering this period, however, will show that God dealt with His people through the family
head, and the one who had, by inheritance (or by election), received the promises and became heir to the
covenant of Abraham. God still deals with us as families at times (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Ephesians
5:22-25; 1 Peter 3:1-7) and, as then, so now, always through the husband or family head.
4. Ruination
The end finally came when Israel went to Egypt and settled down there. It is pathetic that a book which begins
with the sublime words In the beginning God should end with the words in a coffin in Egypt. Israel prospered in
Egypt and so forgot the promises of God and the Promised Land. They were satisfied to remain in Egypt, and
the hope of a better country became dim and at last faded away. Like many believers today, they became
enamored with the things of the world and forgot that they were strangers and pilgrims whose citizenship is not
in this country (Hebrews 11:8-14; Philippians 3:20-21, marginal reading).
(11) When Israel first settled in Egypt, they (a)_________________. Thus they became
(b) _____________________________ with the things of the world.
5. Reckoning
God always answers our failures with grace and though no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby. God allowed things to become grievous for Israel so that they would once again lift their eyes to the
promise and long for a better land.
(12) Why did God allow things to become grievous for them? ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Remedy
The remedy came with the commissioning of Moses to bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt
(Exodus 3:10). Through Moses, God judged the nation of Egypt and proved their gods to be worthless

31
(Numbers 33:4). With a mighty hand, Jehovah delivered His people. They did not deserve God's mercy, but
God dealt with them in grace until they foolishly and presumptuously adjudged themselves able to keep a
perfect Law, and entered upon a conditional covenant that opened a new dispensation and carried them all the
way through the Old Testament into the New.
7. Conclusion
Every blessing which God has promised is available to us by faith. The blessing of forgiveness and eternal life
is conditioned only upon an act of appropriation which claims it and makes it ours (Romans 6:23). Have you
made salvation yours by faith? God will never disappoint those who believe Him (Hebrews 10:23; 1 Kings
8:56; Romans 10:11-13).
You have learned by now that while all of the Bible is for us, not all of the Bible is written to us. Much of it was
written to the Jews of the Old Testament. If we apply this in regard to the promises of God, we will not make
the foolish mistake of claiming for ourselves some of the earthly promises made only to Israel in the Old
Testament. The promises made to us in this dispensation are primarily heavenly (John 16:33; Ephesians 1:3).
Every promise made to us is sure, and we can claim it as our very own right now by faith (2 Corinthians 1:20).
(13) Is every blessing God has promised available to us? _________
(14) The promises of the dispensation in which we live are primarily of _____________________ glory.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 10 points.
(1) How can we please God? __________________________________________________________________
(2) What was God's purpose in calling Abraham out of Ur?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Who is addressed primarily from Genesis 12 to Acts 10? __________________
(4) God's promises to Abraham were ______.
a. conditional b. unconditional
(5) The blessings that attended the promises were conditioned upon Abraham's being where?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(6) How did Abraham's posterity show that they doubted God? _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) Why did God allow things to become grievous for Israel in Egypt? _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Every blessing which God has promised is available to us by _____________________________________.
(Check your answer on page 34)

Pre-Test
PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 18, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of
Part II of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand. It
is a good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again. Try
to take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key. Each answer is worth 2.7 points.
32
Matching:
(1) _______ Tower of Babel
(2) _______ Egypt a. Dispensation of Conscience
(3) _______ Noah's ark
(4) _______ Adam and Eve b. Dispensation of Human Government
(5) _______ Adamic race divided into Jew and Gentile
(6) _______ Promised Land c. Dispensation of Promise
(7) _______ Abraham

(8) Describe the following briefly in relation to the second dispensation:

(a) Man's responsibility: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) God's test to man: _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Man's failure: ________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) God's judgment: ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(e) God's remedy: ________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(9) Give a brief definition of the following:
(a) Conscience: __________________________________________________________________________
(b) Apostasy: ___________________________________________________________________________
(10) What did man gain by eating from the tree of knowledge? _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(11) Why does conscience fail as a guide? _______________________________________________________
(12) How did God describe man at the end of the Dispensation of Conscience?
______________________________________________________________________________________
(13) Describe the following briefly in relation to the Dispensation of Human Government:
(a) Man's responsibility: __________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) God's test to man: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Man's failure: _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) God's judgment: _____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
(e) God's remedy: ______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
(14) Why did man try to establish a one world government? _________________________________________
What is today's "Tower of Babel"? __________________
(15) Why does world government fail? __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(16) What one responsibility, given to man, is considered to be both the foundation and capstone of human
government? __________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(17) Why are we to be subject to our government? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

33
(18) Describe the following briefly in relation to the Dispensation of Promise:
(a) Man's responsibility: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) God's test to man: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Man's failure: _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) God's judgment: _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(e) God's remedy: _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(19) List the purposes God called Israel to do:
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(20) These dispensations are recorded primarily in what book of the Bible? _________________
(Check your answers on page 35)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Turn to page 18 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part II,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand. Review
the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to take the test. Find
the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part II.” You may NOT use your notes or the Bible
when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or altogether when you finish the Unit.
Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for you.

34
 ANSWER KEY
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART II

I. MAN FOLLOWS HIS CONSCIENCE

(1) reliable guide
(2) test him
(3) (a) he became a sinner (b) he became a morally responsible individual
(4) (a) right (b) wrong (c) conduct (d) character
(5) to do good
(6) sinful
(7) God's
(8) man's fallen nature
(9) Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:19
(10) (a) act (b) state
(11) because it can be seared, or neutralized
(12) 1 Timothy 4:2
(13) (a) faith (b) his will
(14) conscience
(15) do well
(16) evil continually
(17) a
(18) a willful rejection of truth and right
(19) judgment
(20) by building and entering the ark
(21) because we must enter by faith (or) He saves us from God's judgment

REVIEW
(1) no; it has a tendency to orient itself to the accepted standards of those around us (or) it may be "seared"
(2) the faculty by which distinctions are made between right and wrong
(3) he hid from God; he covered himself
(4) God's
(5) man's (or) his own sinful nature
(6) a conscience silenced by man's reasoning
(7) conscience - according to God's example of a blood sacrifice
(8) man must be directed solely by his conscience without any other restrictions
(9) imagination of the thoughts of his heart . . . evil
(10) it pictures salvation in Christ; we enter in by believing; Christ is able to secure us when we commit
ourselves to Him for salvation

II. GOD INSTITUTES GOVERNMENT

(1) God
(2) He uses it to restrain the full outbreak of man's corrupt nature
(3) to be subject to the higher powers
(4) (a) be fruitful and replenish the earth (b) avenge human life (or) administer capital punishment
(5) God
(6) (a) rule for the glory of God (b) pervert his authority to selfish and sinful ends
(7) (a) foundation (b) capstone
(8) capital punishment
(9) (a) the taking of human life (or) murder (b) the eating of animal blood
35
(10) a
(11) divide (or) disperse
(12) to avoid being scattered abroad (or) to avoid being scattered out across the land as God wanted
(13) (a) they adopt each others’ forms of corruption and vice
(b) local situations become world situations; isolated problems become world problems
(14) language (or) tongue
(15) (a) Jew (b) Gentile

REVIEW
(1) God
(2) Romans 13:1
(3) (a) multiply and spread abroad so as to populate the whole earth
(b) avenge human life (or) avenge murder
(4) support
(5) Genesis 9:5-6
(6) (a) murder was not allowed (b) animal blood was not to be eaten
(7) no
(8) national head (or) leader
(9) Eber
(10) Genesis 10:25
(11) Acts 17:26
(12) government
(13) the forms of corruption and vice of each group tends to be the first segments the newly formed larger
groups adopt
(14) fail
(15) Antichrist
(16) to restrain the full outbreak of man's corrupt nature
(17) to avoid being scattered
(18) by confusing the language

III. GOD CALLS A NEW PEOPLE

(1) Israel
(2) (a) Jews (b) Jews (c) Jews
(3) by calling a single man out of idolatry (Abram)
(4) purely by grace
(5) something God says He will do or give and it is totally dependent upon Him, not man
(6) staying in the Land
(7) (a) Isaiah 43:10; they were to be Jehovah witnesses
(b) Romans 3:1-2; they were to receive and preserve God's Word
(c) Romans 9:4-5; they were to bring forth from among themselves the world Redeemer
(8) (a) unconditional (b) conditional (c) obedient
(9) (a) stay (b) immediate circumstances
(10) obedience to God
(11) (a) prospered (b) enamored
(12) so that they would once again lift their eyes to the promise and long for a better land
(13) yes
(14) heavenly

REVIEW
(1) by walking in obedience to Him
36
(2) (a) to be Jehovah witnesses
(b) to receive and preserve God's Word for the world
(c) to bring forth the Redeemer
(3) Israel
(4) b
(5) in the Land to which God had called him
(6) they left the Land and ended up in Egypt
(7) so that they would once again lift their eyes to the promise and long for a better land
(8) faith

PRE-TEST
(1) b
(2) c
(3) a
(4) a
(5) b
(6) c
(7) c
(8) (a) to do well; to do that which he knew was right
(b) to do right according to conscience only, no other restrictions
(c) every imagination of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually
(d) the Flood
(e) provided Noah with directions for the ark
(9) (a) the ability to make moral distinctions (b) willful rejection of truth and right
(10) the ability to know right from wrong (or) moral responsibility
(11) because it can be seared
(12) one with continually evil thoughts of the heart
(13) (a) be fruitful and replenish the earth; avenge murder
(b) spread out across the land
(c) tried to build a world government; stayed in one place
(d) divided by language and then spread out
(e) drew out a separate nation to purify humanity
(14) to avoid being dispersed; United Nations
(15) it brings together the worst of each group; local situations and isolated problems become world
situations and problems
(16) the right to administer capital punishment
(17) because the Word teaches us to be (or) because it exists only through God's permission
(18) (a) remain in the Land
(b) stay there regardless of immediate circumstances
(c) they left and went to Egypt
(d) life there became very grievous
(e) Moses was commissioned to bring them out
(19) (a) be Jehovah witnesses
(b) receive and preserve for the world the divine revelation
(c) bring forth the world Redeemer
(20) Genesis

37
 GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART III
LAW

OBJECTIVES FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART III

When completed with Christian Growth: Part III, the student should be able to:
* Explain God's test of Israel, Israel's failure, and God's remedy in the Dispensation of Law.
* List the three things that the Law revealed.
* Explain the difference between mercy and grace.

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART III

1. Decalogue: A word meaning or referring to the Ten Commandments.
2. Grace: God's dealing with man in love which is totally undeserved. Grace has been defined as God showing
undeserved favor toward sinful man.
3. Mercy: God's withholding from man what he justly deserves (God withholds judgment against man's sin).
4. Situation Ethics: A philosophy that states that it is acceptable to break God's Law if man can see no other
way out. It involves a very flexible moral code. Man adjusts his moral concepts to the occasion, many times
to that which he considers to be advantageous to himself.
5. Theocracy: A form of government in which God is King and rules through His appointed judges or
representatives.
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART III
LAW
I. ISRAEL RECEIVES THE LAW
The beginning of the Dispensation of Law brings us to the nineteenth chapter of the Book of Exodus. Before
you study this dispensation you should read the Book of Exodus from chapters one through nineteen.
(1) I have read Exodus 1-19. Date __________________
(2) This dispensation is covered in the Book of ________________.
A. God's Dealing with Israel in Grace
Up until this point, God has dealt with Israel in pure grace. There was nothing from a natural point of view
which caused God to deliver Israel from bondage. It was not that they were better or bigger or more religious
than any other people. It is just that God, in sovereign grace, loved them and chose to deliver them and redeem
them. You will notice that God accomplished everything; Israel - nothing! When Pharoah refused to release
them, God delivered them by the plagues until the Egyptians literally "drove them out." When they stood
helplessly by the sea, God opened the sea and destroyed their enemies. When they would have perished from
hunger in the wilderness, God gave them manna from Heaven. When they fainted for thirst in the desert, God
gave them water out of the flinty rock.

(3) Until now (in past dispensations) God has dealt with Israel in ________________________.
(4) List briefly four situations where Israel was helpless and God delivered them.
(a) _______________________________________________________________________________
(b) _______________________________________________________________________________
(c) _______________________________________________________________________________
(d) _______________________________________________________________________________
38
What was their attitude all this while? They accused Moses, the servant of God (Exodus 14:11-12); they
murmured and complained (Exodus 15:24; 16:2,7); and they tempted the LORD their God (Exodus 17:2). I
want you to see that God's dealing with Israel was pure grace (undeserved favor and blessing), because: 1. God
loved them (for God is love), and 2. God remembered His promises made to Abraham so many centuries ago. If
you want to pursue the marvels of God's grace to Israel, read the testimony of Moses in Deuteronomy 7:7-8.

(5) List three things the people did during this time that show their attitude.
(a)___________________________________________________________
(b) __________________________________________________________
(c) ___________________________________________________________
(6) For what two reasons did God deal with them in grace?
(a) ___________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________

As you study these verses, you will see that He has dealt with you (if you are saved) in exactly the same
manner; not because you deserved or merited His favor, but because He loved you for God is love (Psalm
103:10; 2 Timothy 1:9).
B. Israel Accepts Law
God's method of dealing with Israel changed and brought in a new dispensation (Exodus 19). After all of God's
blessings in grace, God tested Israel by offering to them a covenant relationship which would condition God's
blessings to Israel on their implicit obedience to God's Law. Rather than consider their continued failures, and
fall in humility before God, acknowledging their absolute inability to fulfill the perfect obedience required by a
conditional covenant, they proudly and haughtily replied, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. Thus
began the Dispensation of Law. Henceforth, God must deal with them in justice and require either complete
obedience or the full penalty for a broken Law.
(7) How did God test them this time? ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Did Israel acknowledge they had failed before? _____________
(9) Did they believe they could follow the Law in complete obedience? ________

C. Analyzing the Dispensation (see dispensational chart, Part I)

We will not be able to cover this whole dispensation in one section, so the next two lessons will complete our
study of this period of testing.
1. Responsibility
Read carefully Exodus 19:5. Notice the condition stated in the words, if ye will. Also notice the words, then ye
shall be. Now we have here the key to God's dealing with Israel under Law. Israel would become a peculiar
treasure . . . a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation, if they would keep the Law in its entirety. Just how
exacting the requirements of keeping the Law really were may be seen by reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2, ye shall
not add . . . neither shall ye diminish aught from it. That is perfect, absolute, and complete adherence to all
points, at all times, in every place. And that is exactly what the Law demands (James 2:10)! For those who
failed at any point, there awaited the curse (Galatians 3:10).
(10) What was the total responsibility given to Israel? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(11) Israel was to become a kingdom of ____________________.
It is all-important that we understand the true nature of the Law, or we will never understand this dispensation
nor the next. There are many people who feel (and some religious sects which teach) that these requirements are
39
not as rigid as they appear on the surface. They argue that it would be impossible for man to keep the Law if it
were absolute. God, they say, would not ask man to do what was impossible for him. Obedience to these
commands and their demands is relative. If a man steals, it is a sin, but if he steals bread to feed hungry
children, it is no longer sin. If a man lies, it is a sin. But if he lies to save himself, or another, or lies for a good
cause, it is no longer sin. This is known as situation ethics, meaning, man's obedience to the Law varies
according to the situation. We might ask where in the Bible they find these ideas. To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).
The fact is that it is impossible for man to keep the Law because it requires that he be as good as God - and this
he cannot do. But Israel and all men have to learn this and be made to face their own weakness and depravity.
So God accepted their proud declaration (Exodus 19:8), and placed them under the Dispensation of Law, with
the responsibility to fulfill a perfect Law, and hence - "be as good as God."
(12) Why did God give man a situation requiring him to be as good as God?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Restriction
The first part of God's Law was the Decalogue or Ten Commandments (often referred to as the moral Law). We
included the reference for this on the chart. This is, however, not all of the Law, and it is important for you to
remember that the whole Law was the responsibility of the man under Law. Exodus 21 through 23 inclusive
sets forth the social Law or judgments, and Exodus 24 through 31 inclusive sets forth the religious or
ceremonial Law. Each had its necessary function, and each was binding on the entire nation.
a. The moral Law
The moral Law (Ten Commandments) expressed God's nature and will concerning: (a) man's relationship to
God (Commandments 1-4), and (b) man's relationship to others (Commandments 5-10).
b. The judgments
The judgments are mainly an enlargement of the latter; that is, man's relationship to others. Certain federal
agencies of the government establish rulings governing certain things such as communications, travel,
commerce, etc. Then, these agencies at times, publish informative bulletins such as "Accepted Methods of
Complying with FAA Regulations" or the like. The judgments may be thought of as accepted methods of
complying with Commandments 5-10. However, we must realize that they are also an extension of the
Commandments, attaching certain penalties to those who disobey.
c. The ceremonial Law
The ceremonial Law was related to the first four Commandments in somewhat the same manner as the
judgments were related to the last six. It taught that the way into the holiest of all was shut off because of sin,
that the wages of sin is death, and that without shedding of blood (either the sinner's or that of an innocent
substitute) there could be no taking away of sins. All this carried tremendous typical significance, pointing
ahead to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).
(13) Man was responsible to obey the whole Law which was divided into __________ parts.
(14) In what two ways did the moral law express God's nature and will?
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(15) The social Law is known as the (a) _________________________________. It enlarged upon man's
dealings with (b) ________________________.
40
(16) The religious Law is known as the (a) __________________________. It enlarged upon man's dealings
with (b) _________________.

In order for you to obtain a good understanding of this section, you should read the entire Book of Exodus,
giving special attention to the divisions which we have indicated and noting particularly that there is an
important dispensational division in this book.
3. Relationship

Through sin, Israel fell short of the high goal of becoming a kingdom of priests, and the priesthood was
confined to the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron. Notice the verse given on the chart. God's mind, as
revealed in this lesson, could hardly be clearer - Aaron only! It was Aaron's job to minister the ceremonies and
sacrifices of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was erected to deal with the matter of a broken Law. No
Tabernacle would have meant no atonement (the covering made for sin by shedding blood), and no atonement
would have meant no way for God to deal with them in mercy. God would have been forced by the very
holiness of His own nature and the demands of a broken Law to destroy Israel entirely for their sin, since they
chose to live under Law rather than grace. But God's mercy entered in and provided a way to escape. God
instituted the Tabernacle sacrifices to cover the sins under the Old Covenant (the Law) until His Son would take
them away by the sacrifice of Himself (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:15). The function of the priesthood was to
implement the Tabernacle services and to serve in the shadows of heavenly things until our Great High Priest
would take up His heavenly ministrations. They were, for Israel, the only approach to God and the link of
relationship to God in the Dispensation of Law.

(17) The priesthood was limited to the tribe of (a)_____________ through the family of (b) _______________.
(18) The Tabernacle was erected to _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

Notice that while God could no longer deal with Israel in grace since they deemed themselves able to keep His
Law, He did deal with them in mercy through the Tabernacle offerings. This fact brings out a precious and often
neglected differentiation between these two attributes of God. Grace gives man what he does not deserve, (for
instance, salvation). Mercy withholds from man what he does deserve (i.e., God's righteous judgment against
sin; 2 Peter 3:9). If God has acted in mercy toward you all these years, it is that you might trust His grace and be
saved. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(19) Grace is God ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________.
(20) Mercy is God __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 8.3 points.

(1) God chose Israel because _______.

a. they were more religious than other nations
b. they were more appreciative than other nations
c. God loved them because it is His nature to love
d. they were the most moral people of that time
(2) God's method of dealing with Israel up until the Law was given was __________________________.

41
(3) Israel should have realized that in light of their repeated failures they could never keep the perfect Law of
God. Instead, they replied to God's challenge by saying, “________________________________________
___________________________________________________.”
(4) What was Israel's responsibility under Law? ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) There were three parts to the Law. They were:
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(6) The Ten Commandments express God's nature and will as concerning man's relationship to:
(a) __________________________ (b) __________________________
(7) Israel could come to God through the priesthood only. Because of the sinfulness of the nation, this
priesthood was confined to one family: the family of (a) _______________________ of the tribe of
(b) ________________________.
(8) Explain the difference between God's mercy and God's grace. _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 48)

II. ISRAEL FAILS UNDER THE LAW

Israel presumptuously accepted the responsibility of "living as good as God." They were, so to speak, in the
batter's box. And in three pitches they struck three times. They were "up and out."

After receiving the Law at Sinai, Israel, as a nation, lived under the Dispensation of Law for approximately
fifteen hundred years. During this time there are three distinct periods through which the nation passed. If you
are very familiar with the history of Israel, perhaps you would at first dispute that last statement. Some teach
that there were at least five periods: the wilderness wanderings, the period of the judges, the period of the kings,
the exile, and the period of the restoration. But you will see with closer study that a central part of the Law had
to do with the PLACE of worship. The Law and the Land (i.e., Palestine, the Promised Land) went together. In
the Land, then, Israel passed through periods under the Law.

(1) Israel lived under the Dispensation of Law approximately ____________________________.

(2) A central part of the Law had to do with the ______________________ of worship.
(3) This dispensation is divided into how many periods? __________________

A. Ruination

Look at the chart. See: 1. Responsibility, 2. Restriction, 3. Relationship, in the previous section.

1. The period of the theocracy

Once Israel was established in the Land, God began ruling through the judges. Up until then the great leaders -
Moses and Joshua - had led the people. Now God raised up fourteen judges to lead and to deliver His people
during these early days in the Land. There were thirteen men and one woman judge. The first was Othniel and
the last was Samuel. During this time Israel had a theocracy (see the chart). That is, God was the real King of
Israel and was ruling through His judges. Look at 1 Samuel 8. When the people demanded a king, God said, for
they have not rejected thee (Samuel), but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. Here, then,
the theocracy ended.
42
(4) Define theocracy: ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) During this period, God ruled through His ____________________________.
(6) Who ended the period of theocracy? _________________________________________________________
(7) How? _________________________________________________________________________________

During this time, Israel failed miserably. Read the verses on the chart (Judges 2:16-22). Some of the crimes and
confusion of that time have been pointed at by skeptics and unbelievers through the years as examples of the
religion of Moses. Actually, the Book of Judges is an example of the lawlessness of a nation under Law. We
read, In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Think of it!
No king because they had rejected God and become lawless renegades. This was the nation that had said at
Sinai, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. The period ended in a prolonged era of about two hundred
years of silence from God as well as civil and religious strife (see the last chapters of Judges) among the people.
2. The period of the kingdom
After Israel received a king, they began to make a new beginning. Under the leadership of Samuel, and then
David, the Law was reinstated (it had been in effect all along but was ignored) and the Tabernacle service given
a prominent place. Jerusalem was chosen as the place of worship (1 Kings 11:36), and during the reign of
Solomon, the great Temple was erected. It was not as though there was perfect obedience to the moral Law.
There never could be. By compliance with the moral Law in part, and by recourse to the Temple sacrifices
which atoned for failures ("made a covering," not, "took away"), the people were happy, prosperous, and
enjoyed God's blessings. The condition, however, did not last, as a reading of the Book of Kings will show, and
the period ended in complete apostasy.

The graph on the following page indicates the paths of the two kingdoms. The top line represents the erratic
decline of the Southern Kingdom, composed of Judah and Benjamin, with intermittent periods of revival and
increasing apostasy. The bottom line represents the Northern ten-tribe Kingdom which, after being divided
under Rehoboam, never again kept any semblance of God's Law.

(8) Israel received a (a)________________, and thus began the period of the (b) ____________________.
(9) This period ended in complete (a) _______________, which is rejection of (b) __________________.
(10) What are the two tribal divisions?
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________

The Northern Kingdom "fell" at the time of Jeroboam and never recovered. It only fell deeper into sin as time
progressed until its history ended. (Notice that its history ended before the Southern Kingdom by about one
hundred and forty years.) This period is covered by the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Read the
divine commentary on Israel's failure in the verses on the chart (2 Chronicles 36:15-21).
43
(11) The Books of (a) _________________ (b) ____________ and (c) __________________ cover this period.
(12) The Southern Kingdom lasted _______ years longer than the Northern.

3. The period of the restoration

After the failure under the period of Kings, Israel went into exile. Here they were somewhat like a man in jail;
obligated to the law but not in any practical sense able to perform it. They could not carry out the ceremonial
Law nor the judgments, and the moral Law only condemned them and left them without a recourse. They were,
indeed, in a desperate condition. But after seventy years (see the chart), according to the prophecy of Jeremiah,
God restored a remnant to the land.

Israel was cured of idolatry. She was wedded strictly to the Law. She became the great teacher of the Law
(Romans 2:17-21). But she missed entirely the real purpose of the Law. Israel became formalistic and
hypocritical. She observed the strict teaching of the rabbis and justified herself through external adherence to
the Law. But when God sent forth his Son... made under the law (Galatians 4:4), and a living incarnation of all
the Law demanded, they hated Him, rejected Him, and crucified Him. Yet He was the fulfillment of the Law,
for He alone was as good as God; in fact, He was God. Notice how Christ faced the rich young ruler with this
fact. He had acknowledged the goodness of Christ. Jesus said, in essence: If I am not God, I am not good - there
is none good but God (see Luke 18:19). The final failure of Israel under Law is given in the verse on the chart,
John 19:15.

(13) During the third period, Israel became wedded to the ____________________.
(14) What is the last great act of lawlessness? _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(15) What Scripture verifies this? _______________________________________

B. Reckoning

The result of such failure is given in the two verses on the chart. First, Israel as a nation was rejected. She is
dwelling, to this day, under the curse of Lo-ammi, for said God. . . ye are not my people (Hosea 1:8-9). Her
house is desolate. She has no land (Deuteronomy 28:63-67), no sacrifice (Hosea 3:4), no priesthood (Hebrews
7:11-12), no pity (Hosea 1:6, see Scofield Reference Bible margin, 1917 Edition), and no hope (Jeremiah
18:12). She is blind (Romans 11:7,25), hardened (Acts 7:51-53), and accounted an enemy of God and His
gospel (Romans 11:28). Yet Israel shall not always dwell in the valley of the shadow of death. In our future
sections we shall see what God has planned for this nation.

(16) What was the end result of Israel's failure? ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
(17) Israel is accounted an enemy of (a) _________________ and (b)_____________________.

Notice, however, the second verse (Isaiah 53:6). We often apply this to ourselves, and, as an application, it is
perfectly true. God did lay our sins upon Christ, and Christ did bear them away. But in the context, Isaiah
indicates that God laid the sins of a nation (i.e., Israel) upon His Son (see also John 11:47-51). So, while setting
Israel aside nationally for the time being, God nevertheless dealt with them in mercy. He judged their crimes
and horrible sinfulness - not upon their own heads, but upon the head of His own beloved Son. It is for this
reason that Israel shall some day look upon me whom they have pierced and . . . mourn for him and be
converted to God.

(18) God has laid the sins of Israel upon ______________________.

44
In the next section we will discern God's remedy for a broken Law and uncover the hidden truth of what the
Law really was and why it was given.

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 7.6 points

(1) Approximately how many years did the Dispensation of Law continue? _________________
(2) How many historical periods did the nation pass through while in the Land, under the Law? ________
(3) List these periods.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(4) What is a theocracy? _____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) During the period of the theocracy, God ruled through His __________________.
(6) When the Kingdom split, (a) _______ (number) tribes formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and
(b) _______(number) tribes formed the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
(7) They were both carried captive, but the Northern Kingdom dissolved _________ years before the
Southern Kingdom.
(8) The last great act of lawlessness of Israel was the rejection and ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.
(9) Isaiah 53 teaches that God laid the sins of Israel upon ____________________.
(10) In laying the sins of the nation on Messiah (Christ), God dealt with Israel in____________________.
(Check your answers on page 49)
III. THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE LAW
"This legality, (the Law), is not able to set thee free from thy burden. No man was as yet ever rid of his burden
by him; no, nor ever is like to be justified by the works of the law; for by the deeds of the law no man living can
be rid of his burden: Therefore, Mr. Worldly Wiseman is an alien, and Mr. Legality is a cheat; and for his son
Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is
nothing in all this noise that thou hast heard of these Scottish men, but a design to beguile thee of thy salvation,
by turning thee from the way in which I had set thee." So writes Bunyan in his wonderful tale, The Pilgrim's
Progress. The sense of Bunyan's words are easily discernible. The Law cannot save and was never intended to
do so. What it is and why it was given we shall see in this section.
(1) Was the Law intended to be a way of salvation?____________
A. What the Law Is
The Law was given as a revelation. A revelation is that which makes known what was previously dark or
hidden. As a revelation, it uncovered three things, all of which are found in Romans chapter seven.
First, the Law revealed what sin is. Paul writes, I had not known sin, but by the law. The Law defined sin and
gave it its character. The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 Edition), page 1194 tells us that "sin is transgression,
an overstepping of the Law, the divine boundary between good and evil; iniquity, an act inherently wrong . . . ;
error, a departure from right; missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of
self-will into the sphere of divine authority; lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy; unbelief, or an insult to the divine
veracity (truthfulness)." (Psalm 51; Luke 15:29; Romans 3). Plainly then, by the law is the knowledge of sin
(Romans 3:20).
45
Secondly, the Law revealed what man is. We have noted how the Law showed man's defilement and forbade
him to approach God's holiness because of it. In Romans 7:8-9, we have an additional revelation. Paul says, But
sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. Here we see that the
Law actually aggravated the sinful nature in man. It was like telling a child that he could not have a certain toy.
Suddenly it was the only toy in the world he really wanted. So the Law forbade, and man's nature responded by
desiring the forbidden. The Law thus revealed a sinful heart.

Finally, the Law revealed the holiness of God. What kind of God was this that brought Israel out of Egypt? Was
He like the gods of the other nations - sensual, immoral, greedy, cruel? The Law was God's answer to this
question. Read again Exodus 19 and 20. The whole scene is filled with awe and terror. God commanded perfect
cleanness (sanctify yourselves) and absolute obedience. Romans 7:12 says: Wherefore the law is holy, and the
commandment holy, and just, and good.

(2) The Law was given as a _________________________.

(3) List three things the Law revealed.
(a) _______________________________________________
(b) _______________________________________________
(c) _______________________________________________

B. What the Law Does

The Law is not just a revelation; it is an obligation. James says that a man who looks into the perfect Law and
does nothing about it is like the person who, looking into a mirror, discovers that he has a dirty face, and then
turns away and leaves it just as dirty as before. The Law was never intended simply for information, but for
obedience, and that obedience had to be perfect. If it failed at any point, all was lost (James 2:10).

(4) The Law is not just a revelation, it is an ___________________.

(5) This means it was not just to inform, but was to be _____________________.
(6) To break one Law was the same as breaking ____________________ laws.

Not only does the Law demand perfect obedience, but it curses and condemns disobedience. The Law knows no
mercy. It is justice, pure and unremitting. (See Numbers 15:32-36; Hebrews 10:28.) Since all have sinned and
disobeyed the Law, (Romans 3:23; Acts 7:53), all are under its curse (Galatians 3:10). It strips man of all
pretension to self-righteousness and reveals him before God to be utterly condemned and proven guilty so that
he is without excuse and speechless (Romans 3:19).

(7) The Law knows ___________________________.

Finally, the law shut man up unto the faith as the only possible way of escape (Galatians 3:23). God meant that
man should find no comfort in the Law. After all, how could he? It revealed God's holiness and man's sinfulness
and cursed the latter that it might glorify the former. The Law offered absolutely no hope (Galatians 2:16). Now
it is evident that if Law-works could not set man right with God, no works could avail. There was only one
recourse. Man could look to God for mercy, and trust Him to provide a way of forgiveness by faith. God
intended the Law to lead Israel to Christ as their only hope for salvation (Galatians 3:24). Instead, men justified
themselves in their own sight by an external fulfillment of the Law, without any heart change, and failed of the
righteousness required (Romans 9:31-10:4). They therefore remained under the curse, for cursed is every one
that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

(8) What is the only way of escape for man? _________________

46
 C. Remedy (continued from previous two sections)

The Bible declares plainly that even now the person who seeks to meet God on the basis of the Law (which Law
curses and condemns him) instead of coming to receive salvation and forgiveness as a gift by faith, will be
judged by the Law he professes to keep. But as a dispensational period, the Law ended at Calvary (see the
chart). Christ is the end of the law. (Romans 10:4).

(9) Is Israel under Law today? ________________

(10) Why? ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

In the first place, Christ was made of a woman, made under the law (Galatians 4:4). By His perfect life He
answered all of the demands of the Law and at the same time condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3). Even
His severest critics could find in him no fault at all (John 8:46; 18:23, 38). He alone could say, the Father hath
not left me alone: for I do always those things that please him. Even Judas the betrayer confessed, I have
betrayed innocent blood (Matthew 27:4). And one of His closest associates testified that He did no sin
(1 Peter 2:22). Every demand of being "as good as God" which the Law made, Christ met.

(11) Did Christ keep every demand of the Law?__________

But such holiness only condemned us the more. Here was a man in all points tempted like as we are and yet
never sinning. Christ's holy life accomplished nothing so far as we are concerned, except that it proved Him the
conqueror of the Law. Then the holy, spotless One made the supreme sacrifice. He who knew no sin, and to
whose account the Law could lay not one single charge, took all of the guilt of all the world and became sin for
us. (See the verses on the chart under Remedy.) When He did, the very Law He had fulfilled condemned Him
with its curse, and He became a curse for us. God vindicated the claims of the Law by slaying the One who
stood up to meet its terrible justice. All the arrows of God's wrath against sin sunk into the heart of the Savior,
and He met every claim the Law had against us by paying its penalty in full. The Dispensation of Law ended
when Christ delivered us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every
one that hangeth on a tree. By paying our debt to a broken Law in full, He made salvation available to us as a
gift to be received simply by faith in Him. The result is stated clearly in Acts 13:39. And by him (Christ) all that
believe are justified (made just-as-if-I'd never sinned) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by
the law of Moses.

(12) What did His life prove? _________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
(13) Did Christ take on all the guilt of all the world or just the guilt of that part of the world which receives
Him?_______________________________________
(14) When did the Dispensation of Law end? _____________________________________________________

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 7.1 points

(1) Was the Law meant to save us? ___________________________________

(2) Name three things the Law revealed.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
47
(3) How many commandments need we break to be counted Law-breakers? ________________
(4) The Law _______.
a. blesses and forgives us b. curses and condemns us c. accuses and excuses us
(5) Can Law-works save us? ____________
(6) The Law was intended to lead Israel to (a) ______________________ that she might be justified by
(b) __________________________ (Galatians 3:24).
(7) The person who tries to be saved by keeping the Law will be judged by the Law. (True or False) ____
(8) As a dispensational period, the Law ended at __________________.
(9) (Complete and give a verse.) Christ fulfilled the demands of the Law for perfection by perfectly
keeping it, and then satisfied its judgment against us by __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) Because all the demands of the Law were met by Christ, God now offers salvation as a
(a) ________________ to be received by (b) ____________________.
(Check your answers on page 50)

Pre-Test

PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 36, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of
Part III of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand.
It is a good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again.
Try to take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key.
Each answer is worth 4 points.

(1) Up until this dispensation, God has dealt with Israel in ______________________________.

(2) Why did God choose Israel to deal with? _____________________________________________________

(3) What are three things that Israel did that reveals their attitude at this time?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________

(4) In God's dealing with Israel, what two things could they choose to do?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(5) If Israel would have kept the entire Law perfectly, it would have been a kingdom of ______________.

(6) List the three parts of the whole Law.

(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________

48
(7) Define:
(a) mercy _______________________________________________________________________________
(b) grace _______________________________________________________________________________
(c) theocracy ____________________________________________________________________________

(8) List the three divisions of time under the Law and tell a little about each.
(a) Period of ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Period of ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Period of ____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

(9) What three things does the Law reveal?

(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________

(10) If man wants to live by the Law, he will be ________________________ by the Law.

(11) How can man escape the dilemma of condemnation by the Law? _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

(12) What ended the Dispensation of Law? _______________________________________________________

(13) What is Israel's standing, as a nation, since they rejected Christ, God's remedy? ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

(14) Is Israel under the whole Law today? ______________

(Check your answers on Page 50)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Turn to page 36 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part III Law,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand.
Review the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to take the test.
Find the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part III Law,” You may NOT use your notes or
the Bible when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or altogether when you finish
the Unit. Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for you.

49
 ANSWER KEY: GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART III
I. ISRAEL RECEIVES THE LAW
(1) the date
(2) Exodus
(3) pure grace
(4) (a) held in Egypt by Pharaoh
(b) trapped between the sea and their enemies
(c) no food in the wilderness
(d) no water in the desert
(5) (a) they accused Moses
(b) they murmured and complained
(c) they tempted the Lord their God
(6) (a) He loved them
(b) He remembered His promises to Abraham
(7) He offered them a covenant relationship which would condition future blessings on implicit obedience
to the Law
(8) no
(9) yes
(10) to keep the entire Law (or) obey all points at all times, in every place
(11) priests
(12) so man would face his own weakness and depravity
(13) three
(14) (a) man's relationship to God (Commandments 1-4)
(b) man's relationship to others (Commandments 5-10)
(15) (a) judgments
(b) man
(16) (a) ceremonial Law
(b) God
(17) (a) Levi
(b) Aaron
(18) deal with the matter of broken Law
(19) giving man what he does not deserve or merit
(20) withholding from man what he does deserve
REVIEW
(1) c
(2) pure grace
(3) all that the Lord hath spoken, we will do
(4) keep the Law in its entirety at all times and in all places
(5) (a) moral Law - Ten Commandments
(b) judgments - enlargement on the last six Commandments
(c) ceremonial Law - enlargement on the first four Commandments
(6) (a) God
(b) other men
(7) (a) Aaron
(b) Levi
(8) God's mercy withholds from man what he deserves, while God's grace gives man the things he really
does not deserve

50
II. ISRAEL FAILS UNDER LAW
(1) 1,500 years
(2) place
(3) three
(4) God ruling through others
(5) judges
(6) the people
(7) they demanded a king
(8) (a) king
(b) Kingdom
(9) (a) apostasy
(b) what is true and right
(10) (a) Southern two-tribe Kingdom
(b) Northern ten-tribe Kingdom
(11) (a) Samuel
(b) Kings
(c) Chronicles
(12) 140
(13) Law
(14) Christ was crucified
(15) John 19:15
(16) she was rejected as a nation
(17) (a) God
(b) His gospel
(18) Christ
REVIEW
(1) 1,500
(2) three
(3) (a) the period of the theocracy
(b) the period of the kingdom
(c) the period of restoration
(4) the government of God over a people or nation
(5) judges
(6) (a) ten
(b) two
(7) 140
(8) crucifixion of Christ
(9) Christ
(10) mercy
III. THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE LAW
(1) no
(2) revelation
(3) (a) what sin is
(b) what man is or man's sinful heart
(c) the holiness of God
(4) obligation
(5) obeyed
(6) all

51
(7) no mercy
(8) faith
(9) yes
(10) because she rejected and still rejects Christ
(11) yes
(12) it proved He was conqueror of the Law
(13) He took on the guilt of all the world
(14) when Christ delivered us by paying the penalty in full
REVIEW
(1) no
(2) (a) what is sin
(b) what man is
(c) the holiness of God
(3) only one
(4) b
(5) no
(6) (a) Christ
(b) faith
(7) true
(8) Calvary
(9) being made a curse for us and taking on all the guilt of the world and paying the penalty (Acts 13:39)
(10) (a) gift
(b) faith
PRE-TEST
(1) pure grace
(2) He loved them
(3) (a) they accused Moses
(b) they murmured and complained
(c) they tempted the Lord
(4) (a) they could humbly acknowledge their inability to be obedient as required by a conditional covenant
(b) they could forget the past and say they could do whatever the covenant required
(5) priests
(6) (a) Ten Commandments (or) moral Law
(b) judgments (or) social Law
(c) religious (or) ceremonial Law
(7) (a) God's not giving man what he really deserves
(b) God's giving man the things he does not deserve
(c) God ruling through others
(8) (a) period of theocracy - when God ruled the nation through His judges; the people rejected this and
asked for a king
(b) period of kingdom - the kingdom divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms
(c) period of restoration - a small remnant is restored to the Land; Christ comes but is rejected
(9) (a) revealed what sin is
(b) revealed what man is
(c) revealed the holiness of God
(10) judged
(11) receive or accept Christ
(12) Christ's death on the cross
(13) the nation was rejected
(14) yes
52
 GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART IV
GRACE

OBJECTIVES FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART IV

When completed with Christian Growth: Part IV, the student should be able to:

* Explain the difference between the Dispensation of Grace and the Church Age.
* Explain the responsibility given to man during the Dispensation of Grace.
* List four things that the believer's standing in Christ includes.
* List the three main points found in all dispensations.
* List the six dispensations studied in order.

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART IV

1. Rapture: The event when Christ will come in the air and all saints of the Church Age, both dead and alive,
will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
2. Revelation: The event when Christ will come back to the earth to rule. This is also known as the Second
Coming.
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART IV
GRACE

I. THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

In our examination of this dispensation, we shall begin by looking carefully at the section of the chart which
covers this subject. You will find this between the Cross and the descending arrow which is labeled "Christ's
Second Advent." These are located above the double horizontal line which indicates time. Time, of course,
began at Creation, and ends in the destruction of the old Heaven and earth which now are (2 Peter 3:7, 10;
Revelation 21:1). The double horizontal line in the center of the chart indicates this by running from "eternity
past" to "eternity future." Actually, these are expressions used only to assist the student to picture the time
reference, since, technically, eternity is not related to time and has neither past nor future but is one great
present.

(1) Does eternity have a past, present, and future? _____________

(2) Eternity is really______________________________________.

Perhaps you have noticed that there does not seem to be a line dividing the Dispensation of Law from the
Dispensation of Grace. Actually, the Cross itself is the line. It is the cross of Christ which ended the old
dispensation and began the new.
A. Distinguishing the Age from the Program

During this Age or Dispensation of Grace, which extends from the Cross to the Second Advent, God's program
of building His Church is being carried out. Jesus declared, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Note the future tense - I will. This indicates that the Church was not built
but was planned of God to be begun and completed during this age. It is of the utmost importance to keep this
clearly before you. Israel was not "The Church." Neither is the Church an outgrowth of, or a sect of Israel. It is a
53
completely new thing, hidden in ages past but now revealed, first by Christ Himself and then by His New
Testament Apostles and Prophets (Ephesians 3:1-10).
(3) The Church is to be built and completed during this dispensation. (True or False)_______
(4) The Jews knew about the Church long before it began. (True or False)______

In carrying out this program, Christ gave birth to His mystical body, the Church, at Pentecost through the
baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13). The Gospel of salvation was preached to the Jew
first (Romans 1:16) until they, by and large, rejected the message. Then it was sent also to the Gentiles (all who
are not Jews), and God began to visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name (Acts 15:14). Since
the day of Pentecost this has been God's program. He is saving whosoever will from every kindred, tribe, and
nation, and making them members of His Church by the working of His blessed Holy Spirit who places each of
them into the Body of Christ (another name for the mystical Church). This is one place where many are
confused, and we trust that you will study earnestly the verses given in this section, and those on the chart. Ask
the Lord for wisdom to guide you into all truth (James 1:5).

(5) What event is considered to be the birth of the Church? ___________________________

(6) The Church, the Body of Christ, and the mystical Church all refer to the same thing. (True or False)_______

It is important to notice that the Dispensation of Grace began before the Church Age (the Cross was fifty days
prior to Pentecost) and lasts after the Church Age, which ends at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The
Church Age is indicated on the chart by the seven lamps on the steps. These represent the seven periods of the
Church Age and will be explained in full later on. The Rapture is indicated by the two arrows - one ascending
and one descending - which point to the cloud which is labeled 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Rapture means "to be
caught up," and that is exactly what our Lord will do when His Church is completed. According to 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Christ will come in the air (not to the earth at this time) and
raise the sleeping saints, and catch them up to meet Him in the air. Those who are saved and still living on earth
will be miraculously changed and caught up with the others and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is
known as the Rapture and will, after this, be referred to by that name. After this event, which completes the
Church Age, the Dispensation of Grace continues for at least seven more years - a period noted on the chart by
the word WRATH. We shall see why later. Although the Church Age takes place within the Dispensation of
Grace, the two are not synonymous.

(7) The Dispensation of Grace began before the (a)______________ and lasts after the (b) ________________.
(8) The Church Age is divided into ________________periods.
(9) Define Rapture: _________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

B. The Dispensation as a Whole (follow the chart carefully)

Beginning immediately after the Cross, we come to the ascension of Christ from the Mount of Olives, noted by
the arrow and the verse (Acts 1:9). Then the Church Age begins on the day of Pentecost, noted by the
descending arrow labeled Acts 1:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. This indicates the descent of the Holy Spirit as
promised by Jesus in John 14:16-18,26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15. As we study the work of the Holy Spirit in our later
section, we will learn why it was impossible for the Church to have existed before Pentecost. And we will learn
what the Holy Spirit does for believers during the Church Age.

In the center of the Church Age, under the word GRACE on the chart, you will see the word MYSTERY. This
word appears frequently in the New Testament, and we should know what it means. C.I. Scofield says, "A
mystery in Scripture is a previously hidden truth, now divinely revealed, but in which a supernatural element
still remains despite the revelation" (Scofield Reference Bible, 1917 Edition). This is a good definition, but
54
there is more. The word "mystery" was well known to the eastern people of New Testament days. It was used
by many false religious sects to denote some "truth" which only those initiated into that sect could know. When
our Lord used it, and later the Apostles, it signified divine truth which was discernible only to those who knew
Christ and were spiritually minded. This is exactly what Christ says in Matthew 13:10-11. It is also the truth
found in 1 Corinthians 2:14. This is the larger meaning of the word, and it will help you understand it in some
places where the first definition does not fit. Read the verses below the word MYSTERY and these will help
you to understand why the Church Age is so named.
(10) Define mystery:_________________________________________________________________________
(11) When Christ used the word "mystery" it signified divine truth discernible only to those who knew Him and
were spiritually minded. (True or False) _________
(12) Give a Scripture reference to support your answer. ____________________
C. The Second or Third Coming?
Perhaps as you look at the arrow which indicates the end of the Church Age and the arrow which indicates the
end of the Dispensation of Grace, it appears that we're teaching two second comings, or a second and third
coming. A closer look will show you that we are not. The second coming of Christ is when He comes again to
the earth just as He left the earth almost 2000 years ago. It is described by the heavenly messengers in Acts
1:10-11 and by many other Scriptures (Matthew 24:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-21, etc.).
This is known as "the Revelation" based on 2 Thessalonians 1:7.
At the Rapture (which is quite a different event, as a study of Scriptures relating to each event will indicate)
Christ does not come to the earth but in the air, and the Church is caught up to meet Him. Whereas, at the
Revelation, He returns to the earth, bringing the Church with Him.

(13) What term is used to identify Christ's Second Coming to earth? ___________________________________
(14) What is the difference between the Rapture and the Revelation? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
D. The Great Tribulation
Finally, notice the period labeled WRATH. A reading of the verses will familiarize you with this section. In
addition, Revelation 4:1-19:21 deals with this period.
E. Conclusion
As you study this section, notice again the often-repeated pattern. The dispensation begins with a gracious act of
God, followed by failure on the part of man, and the judgment of God. As you study, remember to ask God to
make clear the mysteries of His marvelous Word. In our next section, we will take a deeper look at the
principles of grace which control God's dealing with man during this period.

(15) List the three steps which are basically the same in every dispensation:
(a)____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(c)____________________________________________________________________________________

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.

55
 Each answer is worth 7.6 points.

(1) On the chart, the Dispensation of Grace extends from the (a)_______________ to
(b) ________________________________________________.
(2) The double horizontal line, extending from eternity to eternity, indicates _____________
(3) What is God's program during this age? _______________________________________
(4) The Church is just an extension of Israel. (True or False) ___________________
(5) When did the Church begin? ________________________________________________
(6) According to 1 Corinthians 12:13, we are placed into the Body of Christ (the Church) by the baptizing of the
______________________________________.
(7) Which one is longest in duration? _______
a. the Church Age b. the Dispensation of Grace
(8) Our Lord's coming in the air to catch away the Church according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is called
the ___________________________.
(9) Christ's coming to the earth at the end of this dispensation is called the _____________________________.
(10) Every dispensation follows a definite pattern. It begins with (a)_____________________________,
followed by the (b)_______________________ and always ends in (c)_______________________.
(Check your answers on page 64)

II. WHY GOD CAN NOW DEAL IN GRACE

"It is . . .of the most vital importance to observe that Scripture never, in any dispensation, mingles these two
principles (of Law and grace). Law is God prohibiting and requiring. Grace is God beseeching and bestowing.
Law is a ministry of condemnation; grace, of forgiveness. Law curses; grace redeems from that curse. Law kills;
grace makes alive. Law shuts every mouth before God; grace opens every mouth to praise Him. Law puts a
great and guilty distance between man and God; grace makes guilty man nigh to God. Law says, Do and live;
grace, Believe and live. The mingling of them, (these principles) in much of the current teaching of the day,
spoils both; for Law is robbed of its terror, and grace of its freeness" (Scofield, Rightly Dividing the Word of
Truth).

(1) Write the correct term (A or B) in front of each of the following:

A. law B. grace
(a) _____ prohibiting and requiring (h) _____ forgiveness
(b) _____ condemnation (i) _____ shuts every mouth before God
(c) _____ curses (j) _____ opens mouths to praise Him
(d) _____ beseeching and bestowing (k) _____ do and live
(e) _____ kills (l) _____ separates man from God
(f) _____ makes alive (m)_____ believe and live
(g) _____ redeems from the curse (n) _____ allows man to draw close to God

(2) If law and grace are mixed, law loses (a)________________ and grace loses (b) _________________.

In the last section we took a bird's-eye view of the Dispensation of Grace. We viewed its main features as we
sketched this period from the Cross to the Second Coming. In this section we will see why God can now deal
with man in grace, what grace is, and how it operates.
A. The Cross Opened the Way for Grace
In Part III, we looked at the verse on the left side of the Cross, Galatians 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Christ answered every claim for judgment which the Law made
56
against us. In Colossians 2:14, Paul refers to the handwriting of ordinances (the Law) that was against us. It was
against us because the essential nature of the Law and the nature of men are at opposite poles. The Law is holy
and just and good. Man is sinful and defiled and evil. Because man is what he is, a sinner by nature, he cannot
keep God's holy Law - even when he wants to. (Read Romans 7:14-24; 8:7-8.) Because the Law demands
obedience, which man cannot produce, and curses the disobedience, which man does produce, "the law is
against us."

(3) What verse tells us that Christ redeemed us from the Law’s curse? __________________
(4) What is the handwriting of ordinances? ________________________________________

But notice now what Christ did with the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, and which was contrary
to our nature. Colossians 2:14 says, Blotting out . . . and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. What a
picture! "Christ," says Paul, "as God saw Him, had over His head, not the accusation of Pilate, This is JESUS
OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS, but the accusation of the Law." All that the Law said against all
of the sin of all of the world was hung over the head of Christ along with the verdict: The wages of sin is death,
and Jesus paid it all in full. So the Cross makes it possible for God to deal with the whole human race in grace
because it answered every charge a holy, just, and good Law could make against us.

(5) What did Christ do to the Law? _________________________

B. How Grace Operates

Grace, we learned, is the unmerited favor of God bestowed upon an undeserving sinner. It is God giving us
what we do not deserve. Now what is it that God gives? The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord (Romans 6:23). God gives us salvation when we deserve condemnation - this is grace.

But since grace is undeserved, it is obvious that we cannot earn it. If we could, it would become our due and
cease at once to be grace (Romans 4:4). How then can we receive it? Listen to what God says: But to him
that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth (makes just-as-if-I'd never sinned) the ungodly, his faith is
counted (put to his account as) for righteousness (Romans 4:5). When we acknowledge our lost condition and
look to God in faith to forgive and save us, without a single work or act on our part, we are saved forever and
given eternal life. Please look up and read slowly and thoughtfully the following verses: Romans 5:1; 10:13;
Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 John 5:11,13.

Consider the common match. You strike it - it lights. It was meant to operate like that - that is its nature. Now
strike it under water. What happens? It is ruined. It is out of its element. It ceases to function. So it is with grace.
Grace is a gift. As soon as we do one thing to earn it, it ceases to be a gift and therefore is no longer grace
(Romans 11:6). A gift must be received, not earned. Now since salvation is something that is spiritual and
invisible - something you can neither see nor touch - you must receive it by believing that it is yours. You
realize, for the first time, that Christ died for your sins personally (died in your place as your substitute) and you
believe that you are thereby freed from guilt and forgiven - your debt is paid and God is satisfied; and you rest
and rejoice in that assurance - you are saved. What did you do? Nothing. You only believed that Christ really
did what God says He did and that you are really forgiven. I want you to slowly and carefully read these verses:
John 1:12,29; 3:14,18,36; 5:24; 6:28-29,35; 14:1; 20:30-31. Grace cannot operate apart from faith. Paul says,
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace (Romans 4:16). Works of any sort put out the fire of grace.
Grace cannot survive in such an element.

(6) How can we earn grace? ___________________________________________________________________

(7) Why are grace and works contradictory? ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
57
 _______________________________________________________________________________________

(8) How does one receive salvation? ____________________________________________________________

(9) List several verses to substantiate this.________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
C. Analyzing the Dispensation (look at the chart)
1. Responsibility
Now you see why this is called the Dispensation of Grace. It is because God offers to all men everywhere
forgiveness and salvation on the basis of Christ's death in their place on the Cross.

Note two things now that are very important. First, this is perfectly just (Romans 3:25-26). If Christ died for me,
and I by faith accept His death as mine (Galatians 2:20), then the law of double jeopardy insures me against
having to face judgment against my sins at a future time. Since Christ died in my place, God reckons it as my
death and:
"Payment He will not twice demand,
First, at my bleeding Surety's hand,
And then again at mine."

He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).

Note also that since salvation is now offered to all men on the basis of faith, it now becomes the responsibility
of all men to accept God's gracious offer and to believe. The sin question was settled at Calvary. It is now the
Son question: What will you do with Jesus? He who believes is not condemned: but he who believes not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The work of the
Holy Spirit,during this age, is not primarily to convict the world of sin (the Law does that), but to convict the
world of the one sin of unbelief (John 16:9). The sin which doth so easily beset us in Hebrews 12:1 is none
other than the sin of unbelief. (See also Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12,18-19; 4:2,11; 10:26.) This is the age of sowing
and reaping. The Word of God is sown in the hearts of men, and according to their response, so they are judged
(Matthew 13:1-23). The responsibility of the Christian is to get the message out to a lost world. The
responsibility of man is to believe. How man has failed we shall see in the following sections of this Part.

(10) What is man's responsibility during this dispensation? __________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
(11) What is the work of the Holy Spirit during this time? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(12) What is the believer's responsibility during this time? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Conclusion

The payment for sin which Christ made at Calvary satisfied God's justice, and since God is satisfied, it is of no
importance whatever that modernists and unbelievers and ritualists of all sorts are not satisfied. The question to
ask yourself is, "Am I satisfied with the death Christ died on the Cross in my place, and am I resting all my
hopes for Heaven on Him?"

58
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.2 points.
(1) The Scriptures never, in any dispensation, mingle (a) _______________, and (b) ________________.
(2) The mingling of these two principles robs (a)_______________of its (b) __________ and grace of its
(c)______________________.
(3) Who redeemed us from the curse of the Law? ___________________________________
(4) Write a verse to prove this. _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) What does the expression handwriting of ordinances mean? ______________________________________
(6) What did Christ do with the handwriting of ordinances? __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) Faith is counted for righteousness to him that __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.
(8) This period is called the Dispensation of Grace because God ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.
(9) Does God demand double payment for sin from the one who has accepted Christ as Savior? (Yes or No)___
(10) On what basis is salvation offered to all men? _________________________________________________
(11) What is man's responsibility during this dispensation? __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(12) What is the primary work of the Holy Spirit during this age? _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(13) What is the responsibility of the Christian during this age? ______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 65)

III. THE RESTRICTION UNDER GRACE

What do you think about the divorce problem? Here is one question guaranteed to touch off debate and strife
wherever it is posed. As far as God is concerned, divorce is a terrible thing and is allowed only where
uncleanness is practiced by one of the partners. Clearly God forbids joining to another while either partner lives,
except where the partnership is broken through fornication. But after one partner is dead, the other is free to
remarry. Now the principles which govern divorce and remarriage are the very principles which separate the
believer from the Law.
A. Dead to the Law

You should read carefully Romans 7:1-6. The teaching here is that having died with Christ, we are dead to the
Law. That is, our relationship and responsibility to it is dissolved, just as the relationship and responsibility of a
widow to her first husband is dissolved when that husband dies. She is now "free" to be joined to another. When
we are saved, we not only die to the Law and its jurisdiction over us, but we are made alive to Christ (Romans
6:8-11). We become united to Him forever, and it is then wrong to ever return to the old husband - the Law.
Therefore, we as believers are not under the law (Romans 6:14). This brings us to the verse on the chart under
Restriction. All things are lawful for me (1 Corinthians 10:23). Now that is a very striking statement, and one
that many fear to believe; nevertheless, it is God's Word. The rest of the verse explains that all things are not
expedient (profitable, helpful). Some jump quickly over the first part of the verse to emphasize the second; and
some ignore the second to insist on the first. The verse is perfectly balanced - let us accept it all: "All things are
lawful, but all things are not profitable." This leads us to the greatest debate in the age of Grace.
59
(1) When we are saved, we die to the (a) _______________ and its (b)_____________________ over us.
(2) We are united to (a) ________________ instead of the (b) ______________.

(3) What are the two parts of 1 Corinthians 10:23?

(a) all things are _______________________________.
(b) not all things are _____________________________________________.

B. Law, Lawless, or Lawful?

How often we have been told, "If you can be saved simply by believing and never lost again, you could do
anything that you pleased and live like the devil and still go to Heaven." Such a statement demonstrates a total
blindness to the true work of grace, but in order that we may discover the truth, let us examine it in the light of
the Word of God.

God declares that we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:5,16). We have seen that the Law has
nothing to do with our salvation and that after we are saved we are actually dead to the Law. Is the Christian
then free to do just as he pleases? In a sense, yes - All things are lawful for me. But there is one vital factor
which has been omitted and which changes the whole case. Second Corinthians 5:17 teaches, Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The
Christian can do as he pleases because he pleases to do what pleases God. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts (Galatians 4:6). The Spirit of God's Son, dwelling in us, can say, I do always those things
that please him (the Father). He would also say, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. All that the Spirit
does and says is "well-pleasing to God." Because this Spirit indwells us, we can please to do what pleases God.

(4) The Holy Spirit guides a Christian to living a life pleasing to ______________________.

Whenever someone says, "If you could be saved and safe by grace alone, you would live like the devil," he is
only revealing that he knows nothing of the changed heart which grace produces. He would live like the devil
because he loves the things which the devil loves, and only does good because he is afraid of the consequences
of sin. Such is not the case with the true child of God.

Grace makes us see our own worthlessness and conquers the heart which symbolizes the seat of the affection
and will. It transforms us from God-hating rebels to God-loving saints. It creates in us a new heart so that we do
the will of God from the heart (Ephesians 6:6; see also Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 36:26-27; 2 Corinthians 3:3;
Galatians 4:6).

The whole attitude of the believer toward the Law may be seen by a simple comparison. The law of the land
forbids me to commit adultery under penalty of fine and imprisonment. But I have no need for such a law. My
love for my wife teaches me the same thing far more effectively. The law may leave me with the desire and
strong temptation to evil, but love makes me dead to its appeal. Now the believer lives for Christ out of love for
Him. Read carefully Galatians 5:22-23. The Spirit of God's Son produces only those things which no law of
God would forbid. The whole usefulness of the Law is thus done away with. We are not under the Law.

C. Love's Power and Love's Guiding Star

But someone may object, "Love may be, and often is, misguided." True! Therefore, love needs guidance. It
needs more than that - it needs power to act. Love must be expressed and must therefore have the power to
express itself. Now God has provided both through the indwelling Spirit of God. The Spirit produces love
(Galatians 5:22), guides love (Galatians 5:16), and empowers love (Romans 8:3-4). Love is the fulfilling of
60
the Law (Romans 13:10). Love is described in 1 Corinthians 13 and is exemplified in Romans 5:6-8. It is the
"Royal Law" and the law of Christ and is the believer's rule of life. Therefore, while all things are lawful for the
believer since he is not under Law, but all things are not expedient, since he is under love, and he is therefore
not lawless! He is rather in-lawed (made one of the family) to Christ.
(5) What three things does the Spirit do concerning love in the life of a believer?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________

D. Conclusion

In this Dispensation of Grace, true love, produced, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, who lives in the
heart of every believer, is the Christian's "rule of life.” All that the Law demanded, the love of God shed abroad
in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5) produces.

Love will do only that which is helpful and profitable; that which is expedient and so, while under no restriction
as such, the believer is governed by the Life within which has made him a new creature. And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace be on them (Galatians 6:16). Study this section carefully and prayerfully. The next
section will be dealing with our relationship under grace, and I am sure you will be amazed as you see our
position in Christ!

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.6 points.

(1) When a marriage partner dies, the remaining one is free to be joined to another. We died with Christ to
the (a)________ , and are now joined to (b)__________ in newness of life.
(2) Because God reckons us to be dead with Christ, our relationship and responsibility to the Law is ____.
a. stronger than ever b. over for ever c. remains the same
(3) In the verse given on the chart under "Restriction," does a restriction, as such, exist in the age of
Grace? (yes or no; see 1 Corinthians 10:23) ________
(4) Why doesn't the Christian just "live like the devil" since he is saved by grace and kept by the power of
God? __________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(5) When we are saved God gives us a new ___________________.
(6) The heart is the symbolic seat of man' s (a)____________________ and (b)___________.
(7) God has sent forth the _______________________________________into our hearts (Galatians 4:6).
(8) The Spirit of God produces (a)_____________ , guides (b)____________, and
(c)________________ _____________(finish the sentence from this section).
(9) What is the Christian's rule of life during this dispensation? _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) How is the believer's life governed? ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 65)

IV. OUR RELATIONSHIP UNDER GRACE

A. Introduction
61
An evangelist once caused quite a stir in a certain community by saying, "In the sight of God I am just as holy
as Christ." Some became angry and some mocked, but a few grasped the truth that lay behind his words. In this
section we shall examine our relationship to God during this Dispensation of Grace.
You have noticed that we are spending more time on this dispensation than on the previous ones. The reason for
this is twofold. First, this is the dispensation in which we are living, and it is of the utmost importance that we
understand the order of the house. Secondly, the revelations given in each successive dispensation are broader
and deeper and require closer study to understand them. Hence the added time spent in the study of this present
age of grace.

(1) List two reasons for studying the Dispensation of Grace in more depth than the others.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

B. Analysis of the Dispensation Continued (look at the chart)

As we begin our study of the believer's relationship to God in this dispensation, it would be a help if you would
review the relationship of believers during the past dispensations. This you may do by following the verses
opposite Relationship on the chart and by reviewing your past sections. Notice we say the relationship of
believers. This is because the unbelieving - that is, man in his natural state by birth - have no relationship to
God. They are at enmity with God and are separated from Him by wicked works (Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:1-3;
Colossians 1:21). The purpose of Christ's sacrifice was to bring man from enmity to amity with God.

1. We are made nigh

We have seen that man, by nature, is at enmity with God. The word translated enmity, in the New Testament,
means "to hate one, or to be the enemy of one." This was precisely our attitude toward God until we were saved,
as Romans 8:7 clearly states (see also Romans 3:9-18). Paul's description of his ministry found in 2 Corinthians
5:18-20 implies man's former enmity toward God. Reconciliation is accomplished when Christ, who has put
away sin (the source of enmity) by the sacrifice of Himself, receives the believing sinner and presents him to the
Father, forgiven and made new. It is Christ taking the hand of the believing sinner and the hand of the Father
and clasping the two hands together. This is the first step of our new relationship under grace, according to
Colossians 1:21-22. Notice how different this is from the Law. Since the law made nothing perfect (Hebrews
7:19), its function was to put a great and guilty distance between man and God. But the sacrifice of Christ rent
the veil and opened the new and living way (Hebrews 10:19-22) so that we are now nigh unto God. As one has
put it,
"Near to the Father
Nearer I cannot be;
For in the Person of His Son -
I'm just as near as He."

(2) Define enmity: __________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Who is at enmity with God? ________________________________________________________________
(4) Define reconciliation: _____________________________________________________________________

2. We have perfect standing

62
This, then, brings us to the second phase of our new relationship; namely our perfect standing in Christ. This is
far too great a discussion to handle thoroughly here, but we shall indicate the basic position of the Scripture.
Since the sacrifice of Calvary was a perfect sacrifice - that is, it perfectly and completely accomplished the
purging of sins - those who come under the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, through faith, are perfectly cleansed,
and therefore perfect in their standing before God.
The believer may be saved for fifty years and live a conscientious and godly life, serving Christ with all his
heart, but as far as his standing before God is concerned, he was just as perfect the moment he was saved as he
is today. The reason for this is that we cannot add anything to Christ's work. He made a perfect sacrifice, which
perfectly removed sin, and saved us perfectly. We are, therefore, perfect in Him. Since our position depends not
on what we are or do but on what He has done for us, it is eternal and changeless. Now will the student please
read thoughtfully the following Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:14; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:4-7; Colossians 2:8-10;
Hebrews 10:10-14. These passages are by no means complete, but they will serve to indicate the teaching of
Scripture at this point. Dr. C.I. Scofield's booklet, Ríghtly Dividing the Word of Truth has an excellent chapter
on this subject entitled "The Believer's Standing and State." You should have a copy in your own library.

(5) The perfect sacrifice on the Cross has given us _____________ standing in Christ.
(6) Can a Christian change his standing before God through good works? _____

3. A key verse is 1 Peter 2:9

We turn now to the verse on the chart opposite Relationship; 1 Peter 2:9. After you have read it, compare
Exodus 19:5-6. Note the difference. The passage in Exodus begins: If ye will . . . then ye shall be. In other
words, the new position depended upon obedience. This, by the way, is the reason Israel never attained it. Now
read again 1 Peter 2:9. Notice how it begins: But ye are. What the Law demanded, grace imparts. Our position
is a gift by grace. Now we should walk in the light of our exalted standing, and so the verse continues, that ye
should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. But notice
again - there is no "if." The promise is not conditional. We attain our new relationship by grace alone.
(7) Why is 1 Peter 2:9 considered a key verse? ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Our standing includes four things
Let's outline the verse now to see what our standing or position in Christ includes:
a. A chosen generation: that is, we possess a new life (compare John 1:12 -13; 2 Corinthians 5:17;
1 John 5:11-12).
b. A royal priesthood: that is, we possess a new service (compare Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15-16).
c. An holy nation: that is, we have a new relationship to the world (compare John 17:14-16; James 4:4;
1 John 2:15-17).
d. A peculiar people: that is, we have a new relationship to God. The word "peculiar" here literally means
"a people for His own possession." We belong to Him (compare Romans 1:6; 8:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30;
3:17,23; 12:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 2:10-12;
1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 John 4:4). *Note the ye are in each of these passages. Not, "ye are trying to be;"
that would depend on works. Ye are depends on grace - He has made us all this!
(8) List four points included in our position in Christ.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c)_____________________________________________________________________________________
(d)_____________________________________________________________________________________

63
 C. Conclusion
You can begin to see from this section something of the believer's relationship with God in this dispensation. It
is an exalted position that we have in Christ. Because it is, let us walk worthy of the Lord. Some time ago, one
of the royal family of England announced her engagement to a man that had been divorced. She later, of her
own will, changed her plans and broke the engagement. She did so for the sake of the royal name. Let us take a
lesson. We are children of the King. Let us behave in a manner befitting the family name (Ephesians 3:14-15).
(9) Since our good works cannot improve or add to our standing before God, why should the Christian do any?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 10 points.
(1) Is it correct to say that we are perfect in Christ? ________
(2) In what dispensation are we now living? _________________
(3) What is the condition of the unsaved in any age as regards their relationship to God?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(4) The purpose of Christ's sacrifice was to bring man from __________________to amity.
(5) Enmity means __________________________________________________________________________.
(6) The first step of our new relationship to God is when Christ restores us to God's favor.
This is known as ________________________________________________________________________.
(7) The sacrifice of Christ was a perfect sacrifice which perfectly takes away sin; therefore, our standing
before God in Christ is __________________________.
(8) Our position in Christ depends upon ________.
a. what we do b. what Christ has done c. what we say
(9) Can our position in Christ ever be changed? ________
(10) Since our relationship to God is eternal and changeless, we should show forth __________________
____________________________________________________. (Finish the verse from this section.)
(Check your answers on page 66)

Pre-Test

PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 51, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of
Part IV of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand.
It is a good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again.
Try to take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key.
Each answer is worth 4 points.
(1) Is the Church Age part of the Dispensation of Grace or is the Dispensation of Grace part of the Church
Age? __________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(2) With what event does the Dispensation of Grace begin? __________________________________________
(3) What event begins the Church Age? _________________________________________________________
(4) What event will end the Church Age? ________________________________________________________
(5) How many periods are in the Church Age? ____________________________________________________
64
(6) Define Rapture: _________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) Define Revelation:________________________________________________________________________

(8) Define mystery: _________________________________________________________________________

(9) Wrath refers to the _______________________________________________________________________.
(10) What are three points that make up the pattern of each dispensation?
(a)____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(c)____________________________________________________________________________________
(11) What happens to Law and grace when they are doctrinally mixed? ________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(12) Who can redeem man from the curse of the Law? ______________________________________________
(13) What can works by man accomplish with regards to salvation? ___________________________________
(14) Why? (Ephesians 2:8-9) __________________________________________________________________
(15) What is man's responsibility during this dispensation? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(16) What is our restriction under grace?_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(17) Why doesn't the true child of God "live like the devil"? _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(18) List two points explaining our new standing with God.
(a)____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(19) List four things our new standing includes.
(a)____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(c)____________________________________________________________________________________
(d)____________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 66)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Turn to page 51 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part IV Grace,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand.
Review the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to take the test.
Find the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part IV Grace,” You may NOT use your notes
or the Bible when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or altogether when you
finish the Unit. Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for you.

65
 ANSWER KEY: GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART IV

I. THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

(1) no
(2) one great present
(3) true
(4) false
(5) Pentecost
(6) true
(7) (a) Church Age (b) Church Age
(8) seven
(9) the Saints, both living and dead are caught up in the air with Christ when He calls out His Church
(10) a previously hidden truth
(11) true
(12) Matthew 13:10-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14
(13) Revelation
(14) Rapture - He comes in the air and the Church is caught up to meet Him.
Revelation - He and the Church come to earth at His Second Coming.
(15) (a) there is a gracious act of God (b) failure on the part of man (c) judgment by God

REVIEW
(1) (a) Cross (b) Second Coming of Christ
(2) time
(3) to build His Church
(4) false
(5) at Pentecost
(6) Holy Spirit
(7) b
(8) Rapture
(9) Revelation
(10) (a) a gracious act of God (b) failure on the part of man (c) judgment

II. WHY GOD CAN NOW DEAL IN GRACE

(1) (a) A (b) A (c) A (d) B (e) A (f) B (g) B
(h) B (i) A (j) B (k) A (l) A (m) B (n) B
(2) (a) its terror (b) its freeness
(3) Galatians 3:13
(4) the Law
(5) blotted it out
(6) we can't
(7) grace is a free gift; works are done to earn something
(8) by faith
(9) John 1:12,29; 3:14,18, 36; 5:24; 6:28-29,35; 14:1; 20:30-31
(10) to believe the message of God's gift of salvation
(11) to convict the world of the sin of unbelief
66
(12) to get the message out to a lost world

REVIEW
(1) (a) law (b) grace
(2) (a) law (b) terror (c) freeness
(3) Christ
(4) Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.
(5) the Law
(6) He blotted it out - He took it out of the way
(7) believes in Christ and accepts what Christ did for man
(8) provides the free gift of salvation to all who believe although we do not deserve it
(9) no
(10) faith
(11) to believe the Gospel
(12) to convict the world of the sin of unbelief
(13) to get the Gospel out to a lost world

III. THE RESTRICTION UNDER GRACE

(1) (a) Law (b) jurisdiction
(2) (a) Christ (b) Law
(3) (a) lawful (b) expedient, profitable, helpful
(4) God
(5) (a) produces love (b) guides love (c) empowers love

REVIEW
(1) (a) Law (b) Christ
(2) b
(3) no
(4) his heart is transformed, and he becomes a God-loving saint desiring to do what is pleasing to God
(5) nature
(6) (a) affection (b) will
(7) Spirit of His Son
(8) (a) love (b) love (c) empowers love
(9) true love, which is produced, guided, and empowered by the Holy Spirit
(10) by the Life within (the Holy Spirit) who has made him a new creature

IV. OUR RELATIONSHIP UNDER GRACE

(1) (a) we're living in it now
(b) the revelations given are broader and deeper and require closer study
(2) to hate one, to be the enemy of one
(3) unsaved man
(4) the joining together of God and man
(5) perfect
(6) no
(7) it shows that grace gives what law demanded
(8) (a) a chosen generation - a new life
(b) a royal priesthood - a new service
(c) a holy nation - a new relationship to the world
67
 (d) a peculiar people - a new relationship to God
(9) we are children of the King and we should desire to please our Father and uphold the family name

REVIEW
(1) yes
(2) Grace
(3) they are at enmity with God
(4) enmity
(5) to hate one, to be the enemy of one
(6) reconciliation
(7) perfect
(8) b
(9) no
(10) the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

PRE-TEST
(1) the Church Age is part of the Dispensation of Grace
(2) the Cross
(3) Pentecost
(4) the Rapture
(5) seven
(6) Christ coming in the air and calling out His Church to join Him
(7) the Second Coming of Christ to earth
(8) in Scripture, a previously hidden truth
(9) Great Tribulation
(10) (a) a gracious act of God
(b) failure on man's part
(c) judgment from God
(11) law loses its terror - grace loses its freeness
(12) Christ
(13) nothing
(14) because it is a free gift to be received
(15) to believe the Gospel message and/or accept the free gift of salvation
(16) there is no restriction as such, but we are to be governed by the Life within which has made us a new
creature and/or we are to be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit
(17) because he is made a new creature who should be desiring to live a life pleasing to God
(18) (a) we are drawn nigh (closer) and/or are at amity with God
(b) we are given perfect standing in Christ
(19) (a) a chosen generation
(b) a royal priesthood
(c) a holy nation
(d) a peculiar people

68
 GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART V
GRACE AND KINGDOM
OBJECTIVES FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART V

When completed with Christian Growth: Part V, the student should be able to:
* List some examples of apostasy that exist today.
* List ways of avoiding contamination of apostasy.
* Explain why there is going to be a tribulation.
* Give in correct order of occurrence the events from present time up to the destruction of the earth.
* Explain Israel's place from the end of the Dispensation of Grace until the end of the earth.

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART V

1. Armageddon: A battle campaign that extends over the last half of the Tribulation period.
2. Kingdom: The thousand-year period during which Christ is ruling on the earth.
3. Millennium: Another name for the Kingdom.
4. Tribulation: A time of judgment such as the world has never known, at the end of the Dispensation of Grace.
5. Utopia: A perfect society with health, peace, and plenty everywhere.

GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART V

GRACE AND KINGDOM

I. APOSTASY - THE RUINATION OF THE AGE OF GRACE

"Of course I do not believe in the virgin birth, or in that old-fashioned substitutionary doctrine of the atonement;
and I do not know any intelligent Christian minister who does" (Harry E. Fosdick in a letter dated January 31,
1948). "Jesus must have been the child of a German soldier!" (Nels Ferre, The Christian Understanding of
God). "The virgin birth is a myth which churchmen should be free to accept or reject" (James A. Pike,
Episcopal Bishop).
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they
came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:18).

(1) Of whom was Christ born? _________________________________________________________________

(2) Of whom was He born according to Fosdick, Ferre, and Pike? _____________________________________
_________________________________________________
(3) What Scripture confirms the identity of Christ's parents? _____________________________
A. The Great Apostasy
In the introduction to this lesson there are four statements made by different men concerning the birth of Christ.
The first three are statements of clergymen - each of them outstanding in his own denomination. The last is the
inspired writing of Matthew. As you can see, they are completely contradictory. The first three suggest that
Jesus Christ was illegitimate, the last declares that He was the Son of God, born of a virgin mother, through the
working of the Holy Spirit of God (read Luke's account; Luke 1:26-35.) The first three represent that "spirit of
69
apostasy" which the Bible everywhere asserts will dominate the last days of the Church Age immediately before
the Rapture. The word "apostasy" is transliterated from the Greek word apostasia which means "a falling
away." Used in its specific theological sense, it means a deliberate departure from the truth as revealed in the
Old and New Testaments. Notice that the devilish statements which we quoted in the introduction to this lesson
constitute just that. The record of Matthew and Luke is clear. These apostate teachers simply refuse to believe
it, and so substitute their own critical theories which deny the true nature and character of Jesus Christ.
(4) The statements of the three clergymen are what we call______________________________.
(5) The Bible says there will be a spirit of (a)__________________ that will dominate the last days of the
(b) __________________ Age immediately before the (c) ___________________.
(6) A transliteration of the Greek word apostasia means ________________________________.
The denial of the deity of Christ and His virgin birth and substitutionary death are not all the denials by apostate
teachers by any means. They deny the inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16); the reliability of the
Scriptures (Matthew 24:35); the possibility of miracles (Acts 17:32); the bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians
15:12); the Second Coming (2 Peter 3:3-4); and a host of other doctrines taught by Scripture. Since belief, or
faith, is the one responsibility of this dispensation, it is not surprising to see that this is the very place where
Satan attacks, and where man fails. Apostasy exchanges faith for unbelief. Notice this same thing in each
preceding dispensation. In the first, man was to obey a simple command; he failed through "disobedience." In
the second, his conscience was to guide him, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually. In the third, he was to submit to government by man for God, and he rebelled. And so goes the
record through each of the following areas. Man always fails at the exact point at which he is being tested. This
is a key concept and will help you greatly if you keep it in mind.
(7) List five truths that apostates deny.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(e) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Man always fails at the exact point at which __________________________________________________.
B. Predictions of Apostasy - Ruination
Notice how clearly the chart verse indicated the condition of apostasy. This particular verse refers primarily to
the temperament of the people and their demands for silken-tongued messengers of life (2 Corinthians 11:13-
15). The tragic fact is that this disposition to unbelief is nurtured by false teachers. In fact, it is instigated by
them! The student should meditate on the following: Acts 20:27-31; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2
Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11; Jude 4. One of the clearest proofs that the Bible,
which these apostates depreciate and despise, is indeed the inspired Word of God is its many predictions and
minute descriptions of false teachers, which these same apostates fulfill.
(9) To what does 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 refer? ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) List two things false teachers do with regards to unbelief.
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(11) The Word of God makes many (a) ______________________________ and
(b) _______________________________________ of false teachers.
C. The Trend of the Apostasy
70
On the chart there are seven steps, and on each step there is a lamp. These lamps represent the seven churches
of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Read carefully the note on "the messages to the seven churches" found on page
1331 of your Scofield Reference Bible (1917 Edition). Notice that the steps go down during the age. This is
indeed the general trend, although the churches of Sardis, and especially of Philadelphia, present some advance
over the preceding ones. The last church, Laodicea, goes to such depths that as the age ends, Christ is pictured
standing outside His church, knocking for admittance. The invitation is an individual one (Revelation 3:20-22),
signifying that the church, as a whole, is apostate, but individuals within that group can open the door and have
personal fellowship with Christ. These churches thus form a chronological prophetic picture of the course of the
whole Church Age. Each of the names is significant, as are the key phrases in the message. These key phrases
are noted on the chart under each church. The periods they represent are also noted. For the dates these periods
cover, see the paragraph headings in the Scofield Reference Bible.

(12) What does each of the (a) ___________ lamps represent? (b)_____________________________________
(13) In what Book of the Bible are they found? ___________________________________________________
(14) What is the meaning of Christ standing outside His church, knocking for admittance?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(15) Each of the churches forms a ______________________________________ picture of the course of the
whole Church Age.
D. A Few Words About Apostates

Apostates are those who have willfully rejected revealed truth. Knowing this will do us no good, however,
unless we can put our definition to work in specific cases. Jesus said that these false teachers would come unto
you as wolves in sheep's clothing. A "sheep" in Scripture stands for a true believer (John 10), so these men will
appear to be true believers, but will, in reality, be apostate wolves. They will not come wearing signs that say, "I
am an apostate." They will come, rather, claiming to be true servants of God. They will be "injured" at the
suggestion that they are in reality servants of Satan. With tongues that are smoother than oil and with profound
reasonings they will deceive the unwary. They are full of duplicity. They use the language of the Bible, but they
invest it with their own perverse meanings so that the unwary are caught in the pathos of an empty profession
and awaken too late to the fact that they are lost (Matthew 7:21-23)!

(16) In Scripture, a sheep refers to a ________________________.

(17) Apostates claim to be true _____________________________.
(18) Apostates use the language of the _______________________.

What safeguards can be taken? We believe that there are two. First, a Christian must know the teachings of the
Bible (Bible doctrine), and he must know why these teachings are important. Secondly, believers, both
individually and corporately (as churches), must demand a clear-cut stand on the essentials of the Faith, by the
men who stand before them as teachers of the Word. We will help you to the first of these safeguards as you
study. The second is up to you.
(19) List the two safeguards which are available to believers.
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
E. Conclusion
Apostasy is a willful act of rebellion, and we can be sure that God will answer it in judgment. At the height of
this apostasy, Christ will take His true Church out of the world through the Rapture. Then will follow His awful
71
reckoning with those who were false professors but who did not really believe. It is this period of judgment
which we will study in the next section. But more important and thrilling, we will see how this terrible period
will prepare the world for the last great dispensation of time.
(20) The period of apostasy will prepare the world for the last ___________________________.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.25 points.

(1) The apostasy will take place in the closing days of what dispensation? __________________
(2) What does the word apostasy mean? _____________________________________________
(3) This departure from the Faith is _______.
a. willful b. accidental
(4) What are some of the things apostates deny?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(e) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(5) What is the one responsibility of this dispensation? _____________________________________________
(6) Man always fails at _______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.
(7) Each lamp on the chart represents ___________________________________.
(8) Together these churches give us a chronological, prophetic picture of the
___________________________________________ Age.
(9) Jesus called apostates (a) _______________ in (b) _________________ clothing.
(10) There are two safeguards for the Christian in these days of apostasy. Name them.
(a) ___________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on pages 83)
II. TRIBULATION - JUDGMENT FOR GRACE REJECTED
With almost monotonous redundancy, the pendulum of time has swung from God's gracious intervention and
blessing on man to God's righteous indignation and wrath toward man, and back again. Five times the pendulum
has swung, and five times the hammer-blow of wrath has fallen. Today, it is about to fall again. Each
succeeding blow has become more severe, and so as the sixth comes, it is all the old world can stand. When the
seventh falls, the world will utterly disintegrate and a new Heaven and new Earth will emerge (2 Peter 3:12-13).
But one basic principle is evident - God's goodness rejected always brings judgment. Until now, man had
rejected the voice of inspired men - prophets, foretellers, men of God. But those who are unbelieving, during
this age, must reject the God-man, Jesus Christ. As the privilege has been greater and the responsibility heavier,
so the judgment is more severe (see Luke 20:9-18; Hebrews 2:1-4).
(1) God's dealings with man in time can be compared to a ______________________________.
(2) Each time man rejects, judgment becomes more ______________________.
(3) To date, men have rejected the voices of inspired _____________________.
(4) Lastly, men will have to reject ____________________________________.
(5) The privilege will be (a) __________________________ and responsibility (b) __________________
and the judgment more (c) __________________.

72
 A. Reckoning - The Fact of the Tribulation
That there is to be a period of great judgment at the end of this age, Scripture everywhere testifies. Jesus called
it great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew
24:21). Jeremiah called it the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), drawing attention to its importance to
earthly Israel. And John called it the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that
dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10). The following verses refer to this period and should be read carefully
and thoughtfully: (Isaiah 2:19; 24:1,3,6,19-23; 26:20-21; Jeremiah 30:1-7; Daniel 12:1;Joel 1:14; 2:11; Amos
5:16-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Matthew 24:21-22; Luke 21:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 6:15-17). It
will be seen from these verses that the Tribulation is a fact and that it is characterized by great wrath! Not only
is it a period of unprecedented human misery and satanic activity, but the Lord hath a controversy with the
nations. God is angry, and it is the period of The Wrath of the Lamb. Notice that on the chart opposite
Reckoning, the reference includes Revelation chapters 4-20, indicating that this entire section of the Revelation
describes the changes which shall be hereafter including this period of wrath.

(6) What did Jesus call the period of trouble which is to end this age? _____________________________

B. The Reason for the Tribulation

As we noted in our introduction to this section, every dispensation has resulted in man's failure and God's
subsequent judgment of that failure. The Dispensation of Grace, therefore, is no exception. In the last section,
we saw that this dispensation (and particularly the Church Age), will end in a time of unparalleled apostasy and
willful rejection of the Truth. The true Church (that is, all those who are truly born again and hence members of
His Bride, regardless of organizational affiliation here on earth) will be raptured and the Church Age will end.
But left here on earth will be that great apostate system that claims to be God's Church. The Word reveals that
by the time the true Church is raptured, the apostate church will have succeeded in achieving a united front and
will have formed the great world church of the last days. This great apostate system, headed by Antichrist, is
referred to in Scripture as MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17:5). She will be comprised of Roman Catholicism, along
with the false sects of Christendom and apostate Protestantism - all united together. No wonder her spiritual
name is "Babylon" (i.e., Babel or confusion)! God will judge this great pretender as Revelation chapters 17-19
reveal, and He will judge the nations that consorted with her. The student should read this entire section.

(7) What is the great apostate system? ___________________________________________________________

(8) Who is its head? ___________________
(9) God will judge (a) __________________________________________ and the (b) ____________________
that worked with her.

And so the first reason for the Tribulation is to try them that dwell upon the earth - those ungodly nations who
have rejected God and His Christ, and have accepted the rule of Antichrist and the apostate Babylonian harlot
instead (Revelation 8:13; 14:8-11; 16:2,10,19-21).

(10) The first reason for the Tribulation is to _________________________________________.

C. Israel's Part in the Tribulation

Although we cannot deal fully with this important subject here (we will give more time to it in our final
section), we will take time to see how the Tribulation affects Israel and how it prepares the way for the last
dispensation, or "The Kingdom." You know that the Jewish people have rejected Jesus as their promised
Messiah. The official answer of the nation regarding Him is found in John 19:15: But they cried out, Away with
73
him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered,
We have no king but Caesar. And all through this Church Age, they have been enemies of the Gospel. But a
new day is about to dawn for Israel.

(11) When did the Jews become enemies of the gospel? _____________________________________________
(12) What Scripture verifies this? _____________________________________

First, Israel is a nation again after an exile which lasted over 1900 years. This is according to God's promises
(Jeremiah 32:37-41). But she is still dwelling in unbelief. Paul, however, reveals to us in Romans 9-11 God's
intention with Israel. You should read this whole section. Briefly, the teaching is: (1) God chose Israel by an act
of sovereign grace, (2) He tried them under the Law and they failed, and (3) because of their fall, salvation is
now offered to the Gentiles. But (4) the Gentiles will also fall through unbelief, and (5) Israel will come to faith
and salvation at last (note especially Romans 9:11,31-33; 10:1-4; 11:1-2,13-32 as they relate to the teaching of
points 1-5 in this paragraph.)

(13) List five points showing a summary of God's dealings with Israel.
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(e) ___________________________________________________________________________________

The primary part of this program - that is, Israel's return to faith and acceptance of Jesus as their individual
Savior and their national Messiah - will come about during the Tribulation Period. Dr. Dwight Pentecost says,
"God's purpose for Israel in the Tribulation is to bring about the conversion of a multitude of Jews who will
enter into the blessings of the Kingdom and experience the fulfillment of all Israel's covenants." Please refer to
the following Scriptures: Deuteronomy 28:63-67; 30:1-6; Jeremiah 31:31-36; 33:24-26; Romans 11:26-29;
Revelation 7:3-8.
(14) When will Israel accept Christ? ____________________________________________________________
(15) This is God's purpose for ___________________________ in the Tribulation.
It is not within the scope of this section to develop how this will be accomplished. For now, it is enough to see
that God is going to bring the Jewish nation back to Himself and redeem them. This does not lessen the terror of
that awful period of wrath. But it should make us rejoice that our great God can accomplish such a glorious
thing through such an awful time of trouble. The nature of this period is indescribably horrible, but it is the only
alternative for a world that has rejected the Son of God.
D. Remedy of Tribulation
Those who belong to Christ will not go through this period. God's plan for us is the Rapture (see 1 Corinthians
15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). There is no blessing for the Christ-rejecting world. The fact that we escape
this period is indicated by the following verses: Luke 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10. There are
those who teach that the Church will go through this period of wrath, and others, that it will go through part of
it. We believe that there is abundant Scripture to indicate that the Church will be raptured before the
Tribulation. For those interested in further study, we recommend the booklet "Not Wrath . . . But Rapture:" by
H. A. Ironside.
(16) Will believers go through the Tribulation? ____________
(17) What happens to those who rejected Christ in the Dispensation of Grace? ______________________

74
 E. Conclusion
The Tribulation which closes the Dispensation of Grace ends in the Second Coming of Christ to the earth to set
up His Kingdom and reign. Revelation 19 deals with the events of this period. In our next section we will see
how Christ's coming relates to the final dispensation, "The Kingdom." No doubt there are many questions in
your mind concerning these great prophetic events during the Tribulation and at the Second Coming. Our
purpose in these sections is to give you a bird's-eye view of the entire sweep of God's plan for the ages. Later, in
our course in prophecy, we will examine the Tribulation Period and the Second Coming more closely. May we
suggest that most of your questions regarding the details of this period will be answered in our sections at that
point. Keep studying, keep praying for wisdom, and keep those test sheets coming in so you can keep
progressing!

(18) What ends the Dispensation of Grace? ___________________

(19) What ends the Tribulation? _______________________________________________________________
(20) In what Book of the Bible can you learn more about this? ________________
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 7.6 points.
(1) The rejection of God's goodness always brings _________________________.
(2) Why is the judgment of the Dispensation of Grace so severe? _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(3) What did Jesus call the period of trouble which is to end this age? __________________________________
(4) One word characterizes this entire period. What is it? _____________________
(5) Will the Church go through this period of judgment? ________________ Give a verse reference that
proves your answer. _____________________
(6) What happens to the true Church at the end of the Church Age?____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) What is the spiritual name (one word) of the apostate world church of the Antichrist?
______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) God has a twofold purpose in the Tribulation. (a) God is judging the _______________________________.
(b) God is also bringing ____________________________ back to Himself.
(9) Will Israel ever accept Christ as her Messiah and Savior? __________________
Give a verse reference to prove your answer. ___________________________
(10) The Tribulation ends with the ________________________________________.
(Check your answers on pages 84)
III. ARMAGEDDON
"The awesome possibilities of a war stranger than any in all history are now taking shape. Some believe it is
very imminent. We have seen the fantastic become fact; we have helped to make the incredible become almost
commonplace. With quiet zeal spurred by the uneasy feeling that time is running out, we now prepare for what
would be the weirdest and deadliest war of history." So says Admiral Warder.
A. Armageddon - Battle of the Ages
Even statesmen today are talking about Armageddon. Philosophers and scientists, politicians and military men
all seem to be possessed of a subtle awareness that all is not well. The nations of the earth are heading toward
their doom. Sir Bertram Russell said, "Without a change in humanity, I do not give the world a fifty-fifty
chance of having any life on this earth 40 years from now." God's Word also speaks of the great campaign in
75
which the nations of the earth will engage at the end-time. In fact, the word "Armageddon" came originally
from the Bible (Revelation 16:16). But in Scripture, the clouds of speculation are all dispersed by revelation.
Dr. Pentecost notes a very important fact to keep in mind concerning Armageddon: "It has been held commonly
that the Battle of Armageddon is an isolated event transpiring just prior to the Second Advent of Christ to the
earth. The extent of this great movement in which God deals with the kings of the earth and of the whole world
(Revelation 16:14) will not be seen unless it is realized that the battle of that great day of God Almighty
(Revelation 16:14) is not an isolated battle, but rather a campaign that extends over the last half of the
Tribulation Period. The Greek word polemos, translated "battle" in Revelation 16:14, signifies a war or
campaign, while mache signifies a battle, and sometimes even single combat. This distinction is observed by
Trench, and is followed by Thayer and Vincent. The use of the word polemos (campaign) in Revelation 16:14
would signify that the events that culminate in the gathering of Armageddon at the Second Advent are viewed
by God as one connected campaign."
(1) What is the origin of the word Armageddon? _______________
(2) Armageddon is (a)___________ an isolated battle, but a (b) ______________ that extends over the last
(c) __________ of the Tribulation.
(3) Which Greek word is used in Revelation 16:14? _______________________
(4) What does the word signify? ______________________________________
The outline of that campaign is here given briefly. When the Tribulation begins, the nations of the world will be
roughly divided into four sections: (1) the western powers of the revived Roman Empire, under the leadership
of the beast (Revelation 13:1-10); (2) the northern powers under the leadership of Russia (Ezekiel 38-39; see
Scofield’s footnote on Ezekiel 38 and Genesis 10:1-2); (3) the eastern kings, perhaps dominated by China
(Revelation 16:12, and (4) the king of the south (Daniel 11:40).
(5) List the four political sections of the world when the Tribulation begins.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ____________________________________________________________________________________
The beast will make a covenant or military assistance pact with Israel at the beginning of the Tribulation Period
(Daniel 9:27). This pact will be broken by the invasion, first of the southern alliance, and then of the northern
nations under Russia (Daniel 11:40; Ezekiel 38:1-17). The western armies, commanded by the Beast, will arrive
too late to defend Israel, for God will have already destroyed the invading armies (Ezekiel 38:18-39:24), but he
will use this event as a pretense for taking complete control in Palestine. He will, in fact, instigate the worship
of his own image in the Temple at Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14-15). As a result of this outrage,
the kings of the east will challenge the beast with an army of 200 million men (Revelation 9:16,18). Their
armies will meet on the plains of Megiddo, southwest of the Sea of Galilee, at which time the sign of the Son of
man shall appear in Heaven to destroy these armies and to take His authority and reign (Revelation 19-20).
B. Christ's Second Advent
In Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth Dr. C.I. Scofield lists a number of false theories concerning Christ's
Second Advent, such as "Pentecost was the Second Advent," or "Christ's coming to take a Christian home at
death is the Second Advent," etc. He concludes with this interesting remark, "But these alleged explanations and
theories, though wide-spread, do not appear in the books of reputable theologians of any school or
denomination, nor are they maintained by a single exegete of universally-recognized eminence. These all
maintain the bodily and visible second coming of Christ."
Such indeed is the case. Acts 1:11 should be enough to convince any honest inquirer that Christ is literally
coming back just as He literally ascended into glory. Many other Scriptures corroborate this testimony
76
(Zechariah 14:3-4; Malachi 4:1-2; Matthew 24:3,27-31,37,39,51; 25:13,19-31; 26:64; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10;
Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:3-10; Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-16).
(6) What two points does Scripture teach about the Second Coming of Christ?
(a) ________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________
C. Events Immediately Following Christ's Coming
A brief outline of the events which immediately follow the Second Coming is given in Revelation 19:20; 20:6.
The armies of the beast and the armies of the other kings immediately turn from fighting each other to make war
against him that sat on the horse (Revelation 19:11,19). The result is immediate and certain!
(7) When Christ appears, the armies ________________________________________________.
First, the beast and false prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire. Secondly, there is a judgment of the nations
(Revelation 19:21). Notice the figurative language - they are slain with "a sword" which proceeds out of the
mouth of the Lord. The "sword," of course, is His Word (Hebrews 4:12; John 12:48). However, it is important
to see that they are actually slain. That is, they suffer physical death at this time. The following Scripture refers
to this judgment: Zechariah 14:4-5, 12-15. This is the judgment of the sheep and goats of Matthew 25:31-46.
The “sheep” are those who befriended those witnesses out of Israel which Jesus refers to as “my brethren”. By
befriending them during the Great Tribulation, they showed that they accepted and believed the message of the
Gospel which these men will preach and so were saved and ready to enter into the earthly Kingdom of Christ.

The “goats” are those who either persecuted or at least would not believe and befriend this host of oppressed but
faithful witnesses, but had followed the beast. These are slain as Zechariah describes. Notice too, that although
they are not judged at this time concerning their works (this takes place after the thousand years; Revelation
20:5,11,15) since they failed to believe and had joined the armies of Antichrist in his rebellion, they are
executed and join that innumerable caravan of lost souls in Hell awaiting the second resurrection.

(8) The (a) ____________ and (b) _________________________ are cast (c) _______________ into the
(d) ____________________________________.
(9) There is a (a) ________________________ of nations, and they are slain. Who are the sheep of
Matthew 25:31-46? ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) Who are the goats? __________________________________________________________
(11) When is the goat judgment? ___________________________________________________
D. The Judgment of the Nations Chart (p. 76)
On the chart, notice that the goats, or those who refused the testimony of Christ's brethren, are judged with
physical death which prevents them from entering the glorious Millennial Kingdom of Christ. Their bodies go
to the grave, while their souls go to Hades or Hell.
(12) Why do those who sided with Antichrist (the goats) suffer physical death?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Then the sheep go into Christ's kingdom along with the resurrected saints who died during the Tribulation
Period. Note that while their souls were with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23) their bodies came from
the grave. Only the saved enter the Kingdom (Revelation 21:24-27). At the end of the Millennial Kingdom there
is a rebellion (we will later discuss this fully), and then the unsaved of all ages are resurrected to be judged
before the Great White Throne. The earth is destroyed and eternity begins. We will refer to this chart as we
study the seventh dispensation.
77
(13) Who will go into Christ's kingdom? _________________________________________________________
(14) At the end of the Millennial Kingdom there is a _______________________________________________.
(15) What happens then to the unsaved of all ages? ________________________________________________
_________________________________________.
(16) Earth is __________________________________.

78
E. Conclusion

79
In this lesson we have seen how the armies of the world will gather in Palestine in the final days of the Great
Tribulation. But Christ will literally and visibly return in the midst of the last great Battle of Armageddon and
destroy all those who rebelled against Him and refused His witnesses during the Tribulation Period. Along with
the rebellious millions that will be slain, the Antichrist (or beast) and the false prophet will be cast alive into the
Lake of Fire. Although they are only men, they receive this specially severe punishment because they wholly
yielded themselves to Satan to work out his diabolical schemes. To those who teach that the Lake of Fire ends it
all, notice that these men are still alive and suffering after a thousand years (Revelation 20:10): And the devil
that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are. Notice
it doesn't say, "where they were." They will still be there, as much alive as ever after a thousand years. In our
next section we shall see how Christ will begin this last dispensation by taking the throne and reigning. What a
glorious Kingdom that will be!
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 8.3 points.
Multiple Choice:
(1) The name "Armageddon" signifies _______.
a. a battle which ends the Tribulation
b. a river in Palestine
c. a campaign lasting over the last half of the Tribulation
(2) At the end time the earth will be divided into _______.
a. one power over all the earth b. four sections made up of united powers c. seven kingdoms
(3) The Antichrist is also known as _______.
a. the beast b. the king of the south c. the Pope
(4) Christ's coming _______.
a. was fulfilled at Pentecost
b. will be literally fulfilled in the future
c. is fulfilled when Christ takes a believer home at death
(5) When Christ judges the nations, those who had joined in the rebellion of Antichrist _______.
a. are made to do penance to atone for their sins
b. are cast immediately into the Lake of Fire
c. are judged with physical death and await the second resurrection
(6) Those whom Christ calls "my brethren" in Matthew 25:31-46 are _______.
a. a faithful remnant out of earthly Israel who bore witness to Christ during the Tribulation
b. Jehovah's Witnesses
c. part of the Church
(7) The sheep in the parable are _______.
a. sheep which are used for the Temple sacrifice
b. those who believed the message of the witnessing Israelites and befriended them
c. followers of the false prophet
(8) The goats in this parable are _______.
a. all that were left after the sheep were taken
b. anybody who is unsaved
c. those who rejected the message of Christ's brethren and followed the Antichrist
(9) Who can go into the Kingdom? _______.
a. all the saved of all ages
b. only the Church
c. anyone who wants to
(10) The beast and false prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire, and _______.
80
 a. they go out of existence
b. they are allowed out after 1000 years
c. they still suffer after 1000 years
(11) The goats meet with _______.
a. soul death b. physical death c. both
(12) At the very end of the Millennial Kingdom there is _______.
a. massive destruction of the earth
b. rebellion
c. Great White Throne judgment
(Check your answers on page 84)
IV. THE MILLENNIUM - UTOPIA AT LAST
Men have been looking for the perfect society from the beginning of time. The word "Utopia" was popularized
by Sir Thomas More in 1516 in his book by that name. The word means "nowhere." More's book told of a
reformed society where there were model homes and gardens for everyone. People worked only six hours and
had plenty of leisure. There was no money used, but all were given what they needed. Wars were fought only to
punish aggressors. Such few laws as the Utopians needed were very clear and there were no lawyers. Health and
plenty and peace were everywhere.
In the early eighteen hundreds, Comte d' Saint Simon popularized the utopian theory by teaching a system of
centralized control of business which we call socialism. The outgrowth of the socialistic theory is "scientific
socialism" or communism - first presented by Karl Marx in his "Communist Manifesto" published in 1848. The
aim of all of these systems is to form a man-made perfect society. But since a perfect society, in the final
analysis, depends upon perfect man to lead and govern it, such attempts are doomed to failure before they
begin. Every serious attempt at real communalization has either collapsed, or ended in a dictatorship and
slavery! Imperfect and sinful man can never instigate a perfect society. But the Christian need not be pessimistic
in the face of these facts, for he can rejoice in the knowledge that while man will fail, Jesus Christ can and will
succeed.
A. The Government of the Kingdom
And there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). In our study of the Dispensation
of Human Government we saw how God gave authority to man to rule for the glory of God. After man's failure,
God dealt, for a time, with a single nation, Israel. Through this nation He promised to rule the world in
righteousness. But this promise was delayed through Israel's disobedience. Then during the captivity in Babylon
(see the dispensational chart) God revealed that He was going to place the authority for human rule in Gentile
hands.
In Daniel chapter two, Daniel interprets a dream for Nebuchadnezzar in which God reveals that four great world
empires will arise to rule the earth. The empires were symbolized by vision of the great image. The Babylonian
Empire was the head of gold, then the shoulders and breast of silver suggested the Medo-Persian Empire. The
belly and thighs represented Greece, and the legs represented the Eastern and Western divisions of the Roman
Empire. The Roman Empire has never really ended since there has been, all these years, a pontifex maximus
(ancient title of the Caesars, now worn by the Pope) ruling in Rome.
It is this Empire which is symbolized in Revelation 13:1-3. One of its heads was indeed wounded unto death,
for the Empire has languished for centuries on the point of complete collapse, but we are now seeing this
Empire revived in our own day. Through the power of the Roman Church and such movements as the Common
Market and the United States of Europe, the empire will once again live. In fact, an article published in the
National Observer began with these words: "It was Christmas Day in the year 800. In the awesome, majestic
basilica of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, Pope Leo III pronounced a few words in Latin and placed a gleaming
81
crown on the head of Charlemagne - Charles the Great, King of the Franks, and henceforth Emperor of Western
Europe. This scene, there was little doubt, was much on the mind of Charles de Gaulle. The former French
president made little secret of his desire for a new Western European coalition. He spoke hopefully of a
peaceful united Europe, from the Urals to the Atlantic."
With words like these in print, there can be little doubt that the Bible prophecy of a revived Roman Empire is
close to fulfillment. When it comes, it will finally be controlled by the beast himself (Revelation 13:1-10).
(1) The revived Roman Empire will be controlled by the _______________________________.
(2) What are some present day organizations that may contribute to the formation of a revived Roman
Empire? _______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Now notice that this period of these four great Empires has extended from the captivity in Babylon until now,
and will last until the Second Coming of Christ. This period is denoted on the chart as THE TIMES OF THE
GENTILES (Luke 21:24). Christ will end this period by His personal advent to the earth. Daniel pictures this
(Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45) as the Stone (Christ) cut out without hands which will smite the image (symbol of
Gentile power) on its feet (final form of the fourth Empire). Then this Stone will become a great mountain and
fill the whole earth. This, of course, signifies that Christ's kingdom will be absolute and universal. Read the
following verses: Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:9; Micah 4:1-4; Philippians 2:10-11.
B. The People of the Kingdom
Two kinds of people populate the Kingdom. There are, first of all, those resurrected and glorified saints of all
ages who live and reign with him (Christ) a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). Among this number will be the
twelve Apostles who sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).
The second class of people will be those saints who entered the Kingdom from the Tribulation Period. These
are, of course, in natural bodies, and unlike those glorified saints who reign with Christ, these will partake in the
natural functions of life, including the begetting of children. It is important to see that the final dispensation,
although blessed by Christ's personal presence and the presence of glorified saints, will be in every respect an
earthly dispensation. This heavenly kingdom is on earth, and the normal functions of earth life will continue
throughout the thousand years.
(3) List the two kinds of people, and their origins, who will be in the Kingdom.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
C. Israel and the Kingdom
The promises made by God that Israel would one day be the head of the nations, and not the tail, are irrevocable
and will be fulfilled. At Christ's first coming, fulfillment was delayed when Christ was rejected; but this was
foreseen by God, and it in no way frustrated the original intention. In fact, it implemented it by making Christ
the atonement for the nation, thus setting God free to deal with them in grace and fulfill the promises made to
the fathers, even though Israel did not, in any way, merit such action. According to Paul, they (Israel today) are
beloved for the fathers' (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance
(Romans 11:28-29). When our Lord returns, He will rule and reign over all the earth from Jerusalem, and all
worship will again be centered there (see Isaiah 2:1-4; 26:1-2; Jeremiah 3:17-21; Zechariah 8:1-8). These verses
indicate plainly the fulfillment of our Lord's prayer, taught to His disciples so many years ago:
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
(4) ______________ will one day head the nations.
82
 D. The Earth During the Kingdom

The Bible reveals that the most wonderful change will take place as regards the earth during the Kingdom. The
earth has for many thousands of years suffered under the curse of man's sins (Genesis 3:17-19). The ground has
brought forth briers and weeds; animal life has been fierce and bloody. In Romans chapter eight, Paul says that
the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Creation is groaning because under the
curse she has been made subject to change and decay. Not willingly has she suffered this indignity but by
reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. But when Christ comes and our own redemption is
complete (vss. 21,23) then Creation itself shall be set free. The following verses describe the result: Isaiah 11:1-
9; 35:1-10; 40:4-5; 65:25; Ezekiel 34:23-31; Romans 8:19-21.

(5) Summarize briefly Isaiah 11:1-9 to get an idea of what earth will be like during the Kingdom.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

E. Conclusion

What a wonderful time this will be. I hope that you will be there. Remember there shall in no wise enter into it
any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in
the Lamb's book of life. Can you sing:
Yes, my name's written there
On that page white and fair
In the Book of God's Kingdom
Yes, my name's written there.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.6 points.
(1) List the four great powers that appeared in Nebuchadnezzar's dream.
(a) _______________________________________
(b) _______________________________________
(c) _______________________________________
(d) _______________________________________
(2) What vision was the symbol of all four of them? _______________________________________________
(3) Communism is the inevitable outgrowth of _______.
a. democracy b. poor living conditions c. socialism
(4) All such socialistic ideas aim at _______.
a. perfect society built by man b. a slave state c. government subsidies
(5) Has the Roman Empire ever ended? _______
(6) Socialism cannot possibly succeed because _______.
a. men do not work at it b. it requires perfect men to lead it c. democracy opposes it
(7) Socialism and communism lead to _______.
a. Utopia on earth b. nowhere c. dictatorship and slavery
(8) The final Gentile power to rule the earth will be _______.
a. Medo-Persia b. Babylon c. Rome

(9) This last Empire, ruled at the end by Antichrist, will be destroyed by _______.

83
 a. a communist revolution
b. the coming of Christ to set up His Kingdom
c. a great mountain
(10) Name the two kinds of people who will populate the Kingdom.
(a) ______________________________________________________________________________
(b) ______________________________________________________________________________
(11) When the Kingdom is set up _______.
a. Israel will be the tail of the nations
b. Israel will be the head of the nations
c. Israel will be destroyed at last
(Check your answers on page 85)

Pre-Test
PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 67, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of
Part V of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand. It
is a good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again. Try
to take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key. Each answer is worth 2.5 points.
(1) Apostasy is _______.
a. deliberate exchange of truth for lies b. accidental c. misinterpreted
(2) List three things apostates deny.
(a) ________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________
(c) ________________________________________________
(3) Apostasy will dominate in the last days of the Dispensation of ________________________.
(4) Does Scripture say anything about false teachers? __________________________________
(5) How many churches are given messages in Revelation? __________
(6) According to the Bible, each church progressively becomes _______.
a. stronger in terms of spiritual vitality
b. identified with a general spiritual decline
(7) Apostates claim to be ________________________________________________________.
(8) List the two safeguard steps to avoid apostates.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(9) The rejection of God's goodness always brings _________________________.
(10) With each test the responsibility given man has been greater, and God's judgment for failure more
________________________.
(11) What one word summarizes this time of tribulation? _______________________________
(12) The great world church is strongest ______ the Rapture.
a. before b. after
(13) The ____________________________ will head up the great world church.
(14) God will judge _______.
a. the false church
b. the nations that worked with the false church
c. both
(15) What happens to the true Church at the end of the Church Age? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(16) What will happen to Israel in the Tribulation? ________
84
 a. persecuted and destroyed as a nation
b. return to faith and accept Christ
c. both
(17) What ends the Dispensation of Grace? ______________________________________________________
(18) What ends the Tribulation? _______________________________________________________________
(19) Armageddon means ______.
a. one quick battle b. a long campaign
(20) List the four political Kingdoms of the world that are in existence when the Tribulation begins.
(a)____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)____________________________________________________________________________________
(c)____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(21) When the battle is over, _______ of the Kingdoms will be destroyed.
a. one b. two c. three d. all four
(22) Tell what Christ does with the following:
(a) beast _______________________________________________________________________________
(b) false prophet ________________________________________________________________________
(c) nations that helped the beast and false prophet______________________________________________
(23) Who are the sheep of the Tribulation? _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(24) Who are the goats of the Tribulation? _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(25) The Kingdom Christ sets up will be entered by _______________________________________________.
(26) How long does the Kingdom last? __________________________________________________________
(27) Who appears before the Great White Throne? _________________________________________________
(28) The Kingdom ends with _______.
a. peace b. judgment c. rebellion
(29) Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of four world Empires. Which one still exists? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(30) Who will be its leader? ___________________________________________________________________
(31) List the two kinds of people who will populate the Kingdom.
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________

(32) What is Israel's position during the Kingdom Age? _________________________________

(Check your answers on page 85)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Turn to page 67 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part V Grace, Kingdom,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely
understand. Review the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to
take the test. Find the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part V Grace, Kingdom,” You may
NOT use your notes or the Bible when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or
altogether when you finish the Unit. Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for
you.

85
 ANSWER KEY
GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART V

I. APOSTASY - THE RUINATION OF THE AGE OF GRACE

(1) Mary and the Holy Ghost
(2) Mary and Joseph
(3) Luke 1:26-35; Matthew 1:18
(4) apostasy
(5) (a) apostasy (b) Church (c) Rapture
(6) a falling away
(7) (a) the reliability of the Scriptures (b) the possibility of miracles
(c) the bodily resurrection (d) The Second Coming
(e) a host of other doctrines taught by Scripture (f) Deity of Christ
(g) Virgin birth (h) substitutionary death
(8) he is being tested
(9) the temperament of the people and their demand for silken-tongued messengers of light
(10) (a) instigate it (b) nurture it
(11) (a) predictions (b) minute descriptions
(12) (a) seven (b) seven churches or seven church periods
(13) Revelation
(14) The church as a whole is apostate, but individuals can open the door and have fellowship
(15) chronologically prophetic
(16) true believer
(17) servants of God
(18) Bible
(19) (a) know the teachings of the Bible (b) demand a clear-cut stand on the essentials of the faith
(20) dispensation

REVIEW
(1) Grace
(2) a falling away
(3) a
(4) (a) reliability of Scripture (b) possibility of miracles (c) inspiration of Scripture
(d) bodily resurrection (e) Second Coming (f) Deity of Christ
(g) Virgin birth
(h) substitutionary death
(5) belief (or) faith
(6) the exact point in which he is being tested
(7) a church (or) a church period in time
(8) whole Church
(9) (a) wolves (b) sheep's
(10) (a) know the teachings of the Bible (b) demand a clear-cut stand on the essentials of the faith

II. TRIBULATION - JUDGMENT FOR GRACE REJECTED

(1) pendulum
(2) severe
(3) men
(4) Christ
(5) (a) greater (b) heavier (c) severe
86
(6) the Great Tribulation
(7) great world church
(8) Antichrist
(9) (a) apostate church (or) Babylon (b) nations
(10) try them that dwell upon the earth
(11) when they rejected Christ
(12) John 19:15
(13) (a) God chose Israel by an act of sovereign grace (b) He tried them under the Law and they failed
(c) because of their fall, salvation is now offered to the Gentiles
(d) the Gentiles will also fall through unbelief (e) Israel will come to faith and salvation at last
(14) during the Tribulation
(15) Israel
(16) no
(17) they go through the Tribulation
(18) the Tribulation
(19) the Second Coming of Christ
(20) Revelation

REVIEW
(1) judgment
(2) because the privilege has been greater
(3) the Great Tribulation
(4) wrath
(5) no; Revelation 3:10
(6) it is taken up to be with Christ
(7) Babylon
(8) (a) nations (b) Israel
(9) (a) yes (b) Romans 9:11
(10) Second Coming

III. ARMAGEDDON
(1) the Bible
(2) (a) not (b) war (c) half
(3) polemos
(4) war
(5) (a) Roman Empire (b) North (Russia?) (c) East (China?) (d) South
(6) (a) it is bodily (b) it is visible
(7) will attack (make war on) Him
(8) (a) beast (b) false prophet (c) alive (d) Lake of Fire
(9) (a) judgment (b) the saved of the Tribulation who befriend Israel
(10) the unregenerate of the Tribulation
(11) at the end of the 1000 years
{12) they are unregenerate and spiritually unqualified to enter the Kingdom
(13) all believers emerging from the Tribulation Period
(14) rebellion
(15) they are resurrected to be judged
(16) destroyed

REVIEW
(1) c
87
(2) b
(3) a
(4) b
(5) c
(6) a
(7) b
(8) c
(9) a
(10) c
(11) b
(12) b

IV. THE MILLENNIUM - UTOPIA AT LAST

(1) Antichrist
(2) Common Market (or) United States of Europe
(3) (a) resurrected and glorified saints of all ages (b) saints from the Tribulation
(4) Israel
(5) Christ will reign and all will be peaceful

REVIEW
(1) (a) Babylonian Empire (b) Medo-Persian Empire (c) Greek Empire (d) Roman Empire
(2) the great image
(3) c
(4) a
(5) no
(6) b
(7) c
(8) c
(9) b
(10) (a) the saints of all ages (b) the saints from the Tribulation
(11) b

PRE-TEST
(1) a
(2) (a) the inspiration of the Scriptures (b) the reliability of the Scriptures (c) the possibility of miracles
(d) deity of Christ (f) Virgin birth (g) substitutionary death
(h) the Second Coming (any three answers are acceptable)
(3) Grace
(4) yes
(5) seven
(6) b
(7) Christians (or) true believers
(8) (a) know the teachings of the Bible (b) demand a clear-cut stand on the essentials of the Faith
(9) judgment
(10) severe
(11) wrath
(12) b
(13) Antichrist
(14) c
(15) it is translated to meet Christ in the air
88
(16) c
(17) The Tribulation
(18) Christ's destruction of the armies of the nations
(19) b
(20) (a) Roman Empire (West) (b) Northern Confederacy (c) Eastern Powers (d) Southern Coalition
(21) d
(22) (a) cast into the Lake of Fire (b) cast into the Lake of Fire (c) slain
(23) the saved of the Tribulation who befriend Israel
(24) the unregenerate of the Tribulation
(25) saints
(26) 1000 years
(27) the wicked dead
(28) c
(29) Roman (the principles of Roman government)
(30) Antichrist
(31) (a) saints of all ages (b) saints of the Tribulation
(32) ruler

89
 GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART VI
KINGDOM

OBJECTIVES FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART VI

When completed with Christian Growth: Part VI, the student should be able to:

* Explain the test, man's failure, and God's remedy in the final dispensation.
* Explain what is meant by pivotal portions of Scripture.
* State some facts dispensational study teaches us about God.
* State some facts dispensational study teaches us about man.
* State some facts dispensational study teaches us about Law and grace.
* State some facts dispensational study teaches us about the Bible.

GLOSSARY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART VI

1. Great White Throne Judgment: Place where all the lost face individual judgment.
2. Omnipotence: The attribute of God whereby He can do whatever He wills, limited only by His own Divine
nature.
3. Omniscience: The attribute of God whereby He perfectly and eternally knows all things which can be
known - present, past, and future.
4. Pivotal: A turning point; a place in Scripture where God's dealing with man changes in accordance with the
new test with which He is going to confront man.
5. Sovereignty: The supreme authority of God.

GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART VI

KINGDOM

I. ANALYZING THE FINAL DISPENSATION

Where is the center of the earth? If you were a geologist, you might answer that it is the spot where all of the
isometric lines converge across the diameter of the sphere. To a geographer, the answer would be quite
different. It would deal with land masses, population figures, and in general, the surface of the earth. To us,
however, the question concerns the importance of the purposes of God, and this makes it quite simple to
answer. The land of Israel is the center of the earth. It was near here that civilization began. It is here that the
attention of the world is being focused in these last days. It is here that the battle of the ages will end the nearly
three thousand years of Gentile world dominion. It is here that Christ will reign, governing the nations of the
world during the final one thousand years of man's history.

(1) As far as God's purposes are concerned, _________________ is the center of the earth.
(2) What future event will occur there? __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

A. Responsibility (see the dispensational chart)

90
Zechariah 14:16-17 tells us that all nations will be required to keep the yearly Feast of Tabernacles at
Jerusalem. Of course, complete obedience to the King and righteousness in all relationships at every level is
required. Isaiah says of the King and His Kingdom, But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove
with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, (for correction) and
with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and
faithfulness the girdle of his reins (Isaiah 11:4-5). But along with the general character of His Kingdom, which
will be righteousness and peace, there is also this specific command that the nations observe the annual Feast of
Tabernacles.
(3) In the final dispensation, ____________________ will be required to keep the yearly Feast of Tabernacles
at Jerusalem.
(4) List two other things that will be required.
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________

A clear understanding of the Feast of Tabernacles will show that it is another instance of the harmony of
Scripture and its inerrancy and infallibility. The Feast is first introduced in Leviticus 23 along with six other
annual feasts, each of which had both a commemorative and a prophetic significance. All of them will be
reviewed in our lessons on prophecy. The Feast of Tabernacles was significant in that it was the last feast on the
Jewish calendar, and it is the last feast to be fulfilled in its prophetic aspects. Commemoratively, it looks back to
Israel's wanderings in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:43 [this whole chapter should be read], but prophetically it
looks forward to the time when God shall "tabernacle" among His people. It is fulfilled during the millennium
and will last into eternity, as will be seen from Revelation 21:3.

(5) The Feast of Tabernacles has both a (a) _______________ and a (b) _________________significance.
(6) The Feast looks back to _________________________________________.
(7) The Feast looks forward to _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________.

When the Feast was observed of old in Israel, every person dwelling in the land of Israel - whether Jew or
stranger in the land - was required to keep the feast (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). It was a symbol of subjection to
Israel's king. How fitting, then, that this Feast is the one chosen by God to be observed during the millennium;
first to commemorate God's dwelling among men, and secondly to recognize the sovereignty of Israel's King
(Jesus Christ) as King of Kings over all the earth.

(8) Originally, ______________________________ was required to keep the Feast.

(9) Then, it was a symbol of subjection to Israel's ________________________.
(10) Once again, it will be for men to recognize the sovereignty of Israel 's _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
B. Restriction
Isaiah 11:4 actually sets forth the King's method of ruling the earth. Dr. Pentecost says, "Any overt act against
the authority of the King will be punished with physical death." In other words, the King's power will be
absolute and His knowledge complete and His judgment upon any outbreak of sin immediate. This will cause
great rejoicing among the saints; but some who are born during this time and who, as subsequent events will
show, never really submit their hearts to King Jesus, will chaff under this restraint of their natural, depraved
desires. Remember that in any age, the natural mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of
God, neither indeed can be (see also Psalm 2:8-12; Psalm 72; Jeremiah 31:29-30).

(11) The King's power will be (a) __________________. His knowledge (b) ______________________.
91
 His judgments upon any outbreak of sin (c) ___________________________.
(12) What are the origins of those who will rebel? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(13) They will rebel because the __________________________ mind is at enmity against God.
C. Relationship
Little need be said of this, for the verse on the chart gives a beautiful picture of the relationship of the millennial
people to the King. All that He wanted to be to Israel at His First Advent, He will be to the world during the
golden millennium age. He will be King, Counselor, Shepherd, Master, Sustainer, Law-Giver, Father, Prince of
Peace, Wonderful. In short, He will be to the world all that they need for life at its fullest, richest, and best
(Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 4:1-2).

(14) List six different titles that belong to the King during this time.
(a) ______________________________ (b) ______________________________
(c) ______________________________ (d) ______________________________
(e) ______________________________ (f) _______________________________

D. Ruination
In our study of the Restriction (absolute obedience to the King and no overt act of rebellion) we said that there
will be some who will inwardly rebel even during this age of peace and plenty. When Jesus gave the
constitution for His Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), notice that Matthew 7:13-27 gave
warning to those who wanted to enter the Kingdom. The demanding standards of righteousness, upon which
Jesus insisted, were galling to the religious leaders of His day who had become accustomed to slipping through
the loopholes of the Law. At that time they were in power, so they crucified Jesus. During the Kingdom He will
be in power so those who would otherwise rebel will submit to avoid His wrath.
(15) Why do those who wish to rebel not do so?___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
But at the end of the one thousand years, God will release Satan from his prison in the bottomless pit. Satan will
go to the four corners of the earth and organize all those who, while giving outward obedience during the
millennium, have hated the King in their hearts. Tragically, Scripture reveals that there will be a multitude of
such, as numerous as the sands of the sea. Satan will deceive them with the hope of overthrowing the King and
controlling the earth for their own selfish ends.
(16) After (a) _____________________ years, God will release (b) _________________ from his prison
in the (c)_____________________________.
(17) Satan will organize those who have __________________________ the King.
(18) Will there be many? _______________________
The question is sometimes raised as to the identity of these people who rebel, since only saved persons enter the
Kingdom. The answer is simple; they are of those who have been born during the thousand years, which points
out this dramatic fact that godly parents and perfect environments do not make good men. Only the new birth
can make new in any age!
(19) What makes good men? __________________________________________________________________
The words “Gog and Magog” are, in this instance, used figuratively since a number of considerations make it
obvious that this is not the same event as that described in Ezekiel 38-39. The words are used to indicate that the
battle is motivated by the same sinful and rebellious plans, and that a like multitude of peoples are involved.
The rebellion will, of course, prove the ruination of man during this last period of testing, and show that man is
92
a rebel at heart and so wicked and implacable that not even the King in all His glory and greatness can soften
him or make him submit to God. Man's heart is so hard that mercy cannot win him, and judgment cannot make
him afraid.
(20) Once again, man's heart is so hard that (a)________________ cannot win him, and
(b)________________________ cannot make him afraid.
E. Reckoning
Revelation 20:9-10 plainly sets forth God's judgment on that great host of rebels who responded to Satan's
deception and attacked the camp of the saints and the Holy City. This actually ends the Dispensation of the
Kingdom and brings about the final judgment of all the lost of every age. Revelation 20:11 indicates the
destruction of the old heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:10-12) and the "setting" of the Great White Throne judgment.
There is no place to hide and all the lost will face individual judgment on the basis of their works (Revelation
20:13). None of the saved are here: it is not a question of salvation - those here are already lost. The question is
degree of punishment commensurate with the responsibility of the individual. Luke 12:47-48 strongly suggests
that responsibility will be determined not only by what a person did, but by what he knew. To him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
(21) What happens to the host of rebels mentioned in Revelation 20:9-10?______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(22) __________________________ is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.
(23) The Dispensation of the ________________________________ is ended.
(24) The Great White Throne judgment is judgment of _____________________.
(25) The lost are judged on the basis of ________________________________.
(26) The degree of punishment is determined by the _______________________ of the individual.
(27) Luke 12:47 suggests the responsibility will be determined by what two things?
(a) ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ___________________________________________________________________________________

Notice that the second resurrection takes place here (Revelation 20:5). Death and Hell signify the division of
soul and body. The body comes from the grave, the place of death; and the soul comes from hell, the depository
of lost souls (see the chart on Matthew 25, Part V). Resurrected, they are cast into the Lake of Fire where they
suffer in body, soul, and spirit forever.
F. Remedy
There has never been any permanent remedy for man's ills. Man himself is incurable. He must become a new
creation through the new birth before he can begin to overcome that depraved nature which is his by birth. The
earth and heaven itself now become new. They are a new creation for new creatures, a prepared place for a
prepared people. The seven great tests are over.
The verdict is in, the sentence is executed, and the trial finished. We are left with no alternative
but to sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
who could take a poor lost sinner,
Lift him from the miry clay,
And set him free.
I will ever tell the story,
Shouting Glory, Glory, Glory;
Hallelujah, Jesus ransomed me!
(28) What three things become new?
93
 (a) _________________________________________
(b) _________________________________________
(c) _________________________________________
G. Conclusion

What should we learn from the dispensations and how can we put these facts to work in our personal study of
the Scriptures? These are the subjects of the next two sections.

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 6.6 points.

(1) Where is the center of the earth as far as prophecy and the Bible are concerned? __________________
(2) What specific responsibility will man have during the millennium? _______
a. obey the King in all things
b. keep the Feast of Christmas
c. keep the Feast of Tabernacles
(3) This Feast looks back commemoratively to _______.
a. the birth of Christ
b. the journey of Israel in the wilderness
c. the building of the Temple
(4) The prophetic significance of the Feast is that it _______.
a. looks forward to God's dwelling with man and recognizes the sovereignty of Israel's King
during the millennium
b. commemorates the angels' singing at Bethlehem
c. looks forward to the judgment of the nations
(5) Any overt act of rebellion during the millennium will be _______.
a. reported at once
b. punished by death
c. forgiven if amended
(6) During this period, those who are born will _______.
a. all yield their hearts to Christ
b. all be baptized and join the church
c. be faced with the same choice, as men face today, of accepting or rejecting Christ
(7) Those whose hearts are not right will rebel when? ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Name six things Christ will be to His people during the millennium.
(a) ____________________________ (d) ____________________________
(b) ____________________________ (e) ____________________________
(c) ____________________________ (f) _____________________________
(9) The Great White Throne judgment takes place _______.
a. on the earth during the millennium
b. on the earth after the millennium
c. in space after the destruction of heaven and earth
(10) The seven tests have proven that man is _______.
a. perfect
b. able to do right if properly taught
c. incurably evil and corrupt
(Check your answers on page 102)
94
 II. LEARNING TO READ AND STUDY DISPENSATIONALLY
I once worked on a construction crew while attending college. One morning our foreman pulled a strange-
looking iron instrument out of the trunk of his car. "Here is a valuable tool," he told us. "But what is it?" we
asked. "It is a new type nail puller," he replied. "Does anyone know how to use it?" No one did, so we got a
demonstration. It turned out to be a very useful tool once we saw how it worked. Your study of the
dispensations will be priceless to you if you put it to work.
A. Pivotal Portions of Scripture
A survey of Bible passages that are most commonly misunderstood will disclose that these passages are, in most
cases, found in the transitional periods from one dispensation to another. Cases in point are: (1) Genesis 9 -
where God, who allowed Cain to go free and even set a mark on him to protect him, now insists on blood for
blood; (2) Genesis 12 - the provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant, how much God promised, and for how long;
(3) the Gospels - where Christ comes preaching a Kingdom which apparently never comes and then is crucified
and rises to commission His Disciples to preach - not a Kingdom - but forgiveness of sins; (4) and most
troublesome of all, the portions of Acts, such as Acts 2, where Jews are baptized unto repentance; Acts 8 -
where the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands; Acts 10 - where Cornelius is the first Gentile saved;
and Acts 15 - where the council decides what God's program is for this age.
(1) Bible passages most commonly misunderstood are found in the (a) _____________________ periods from
one (b) ___________________________________ to another.
(2) Which dispensations are involved in each of the above examples?
(a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) ____________________________________________________________________________________
Another troublesome type of passage is that found particularly in the Old Testament, where both advents of
Christ are in view and there seems to be no division between them. For this cause, there is much confusion
about the Second Advent of Christ.
(3) In the Old Testament there are places where both ___________ of Christ are in view with seemingly no
division between them.
It will not be possible to look at all of these difficulties in one section, but we shall take several and show how,
by applying dispensational principles to difficult passages, we can clear up the difficulty and make them
meaningful to us.
B. The Transition in the Gospels
For our purpose we shall discuss here the Gospel of Matthew. The first thing we should note is, while Matthew
is in the New Testament, all of the events recorded in Matthew from chapter 1 to chapter 27 happen during the
old Dispensation of Law. You will also observe that Christ was ministering solely to Israel during this period
(read Matthew 5:17; 10:6; 15:24). Thirdly, we have observed that God is never taken by surprise. Christ knew
ahead of time that the old dispensation was about to end in His crucifixion and death, and He reserved the last
part of His ministry to prepare His Disciples for the new Dispensation of Grace. Keeping the following three
facts in mind, let us outline Matthew and touch the pivotal points in this Gospel. (1) Most of Matthew transpired
under law, not grace. (2) Christ was ministering to Jews alone, not Gentiles. (3) Christ knew that the
dispensation would end with His death and was preparing His Disciples for it.
(4) List the three facts mentioned that will help one to grasp a better understanding of the Gospel of Matthew.
95
 (a) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) ____________________________________________________________________________________
(5) Events in Matthew 1-27 happened during the Dispensation of ________________________.
(6) Christ was ministering only to __________________________.
(7) God knew the dispensation would end in His _________________________.

Matthew chapters 1 and 2 deal primarily with the pedigree of the King of Israel. He was a son of Abraham and
a son of David and therefore heir to the throne.

(8) Matthew chapters 1 and 2 deal with the ______________________________________________________.

(9) Christ was a son of (a) ____________________________and (b) _____________________________.

Chapters 3 and 4 prepare the way for the Kingdom. Note the message of John the Baptist (3:2) and of Jesus
(4:23). The signs of healing proved that He was the King He claimed to be.

(10) Chapters 3 and 4 prepare the __________________________________________________.

(11) One of the ways He proved His Kingship was through _____________________________.

Chapters 5-7 set forth the constitution of the Kingdom. The requirement is heart righteousness, not merely
perfunctory observance of external codes. Chapters 8-10 emphasize that the Kingdom is preached in word and
in mighty deeds.

(12) Chapters 5-7 set forth the ____________________________________________________.

(13) This refers to the requirement of ___________________________________.
(14) Chapters 8-10 have to do with the preaching of the (a) __________________ in word and
(b) _______________________________.

In chapter 11, we have a transition. John the Baptist, who is the forerunner of the King, is imprisoned. Then
Jesus upbraids the people for refusing the Kingdom by lack of repentance (11:2-19). He then pronounces
judgment upon those who reject His message (11:20-27). Notice again that these are Jews rejecting a Kingdom,
and finally He offers a personal message for the first time (11:28-30). The people, as a whole, have rejected the
Kingdom and now the invitation is given to individuals to personally receive the King.

(15) Chapter _______ contains a transition.

(16) The people have rejected the _______________.
(17) The people, as individuals, are invited to personally receive the __________.

Chapter 12 deals with the irreconcilable controversy with the religious leaders who not only reject the King but
claim that His power is of the devil (12:24). The result is that Jesus announces that human relationships are
going to be put aside in favor of spiritual relationships (12:46-50). It will no longer be important to be merely a
son of Abraham (a Jew) after the flesh. Christ will favor or receive only those who are sons of Abraham by
faith.
(18) Chapter 12 deals with the controversy between ______________________ and the religious leaders.
(19) (a) _____________relationships are going to be put aside in favor of (b) ____________relationships.
(20) The believer is considered a son of ____________________________ by faith in Christ.

96
In chapter 13 Jesus explains what form the Kingdom will take during the next dispensation of grace since it has
been rejected. It will not come with "outward show" but only in the hearts of those who own His sovereignty
over their lives.
(21) In chapter 13 Christ explains that the Kingdom will be in the ___________________of those who
own His sovereignty over their lives.
In chapter 16, Jesus begins to talk of His Church, rather than His Kingdom (16:18), and this will be built upon
His person (16:16), and His work of redemption (16:21). It is obvious that the Disciples cannot understand this
transition from a Kingdom to the Church, and this becomes plainer with every chapter. Christ speaks more and
more of the Church and His death and less and less of the Kingdom.

(22) In chapter 16 Christ speaks more of His (a)______________ than of His (b) ____________.
(23) The Church will be built upon His (a) _____________________ and His
(b) _________________________________________________________.

Chapter 21 reveals Jesus' official presentation of Himself as King to Israel (Zechariah 9:9), but the verdict is
already in, and this action only makes His rejection by the rulers official (21:15).

(24) He presents Himself as _______________________________, but is officially rejected.

Chapters 24 and 25 give Jesus' prophecy of how the Kingdom will come, but notice that this whole passage
deals with the Kingdom, not the Church, and is fulfilled in the Tribulation and the Millennium. This leads to His
death which ends the old dispensation.

(25) In Chapters 24 and 25 Christ tells how the_________________ will come.

(26) In this section the Dispensation of _________________________ is ended.

Now by looking at Matthew dispensationally, we have seen how God was leading those who believed and
trusted Christ through this transitional period, preparing them at every turn for the next step, while at the same
time honestly offering the prophesied Kingdom to a sinful nation that God knew would reject it and crucify the
King. Matthew has the beauty of a rose unfolding to reveal the secret plan of God. It is no longer just a
collection of random reminiscences concerning the life of Christ.

C. The Transition in Acts

Another pivotal portion of Scripture is the Book of Acts. There are primarily four sections; namely, Acts 2, 8,
10, and 15 (although minor difficulties hinge on rightly dividing other portions). In Acts 2, Peter offers the gift
of the Holy Spirit to those who will repent and submit to baptism. However, note the point of emphasis in the
passage. The preposition translated "in" in our passage is not the usual preposition for such; the word that
appears here is the Greek epi, meaning "resting upon." What Peter said was, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in (resting upon) the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. Repentance was required for salvation; by baptism one witnesses to his salvation, but let it be
remembered that we must rest upon (trust in) the name (a way of referring to the Person) of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins. And with the exercise of real faith, the Spirit of God is given to the one who trusts. In Acts 8
the Holy Spirit is given by laying on hands, and in Acts 10 He is received by faith alone.
(27) In what three different ways is the Holy Spirit received?
(a) ________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________
(c) ________________________________________________

97
Now why the difference? Only the dispensationalist has an answer. He knows first that God has been dealing
with Israel alone since Genesis 12 and is still dealing with them primarily until Acts 10. He notes that only
Jews were present at Pentecost (see Acts 2:5); He remembers that the Jewish nation has officially and publicly,
as such, rejected the claims of Christ and crucified Him as an imposter (see John 19:15; Matthew 27:63). Now
read Peter's message (Acts 2:14-36). After hearing this the people cried out, What shall we do? That is, "Seeing
that our national leaders have done this awful deed, how can we escape the certain judgment that must be upon
us from God?" No doubt these people wondered if there was any escape for an Israelite at all. Peter's answer,
then, is appropriate to the people, as well as to the question. He says, Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Notice,
Peter's message was not only "be saved from your sins" (although it certainly included this), but it was also save
yourselves from this untoward generation, that is, from this nation that publicly and officially rejected Messiah
Jesus. And the result would be that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the manifestation to the Jews
that they were accepted by God.

(28) Why was baptism so important in Acts 2?____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Now remembering that a nation of people is in question that had, not three months before this, publicly and
officially declared Christ an imposter and a fraud and crucified Him, God could hardly place His approval on
members of the nation until they publicly and officially repudiated their national leaders and their previous
decision. It was, therefore, necessary for them to be baptized, making this public stand for Christ and against
their rulers before they could be accepted by God and given the Holy Spirit. Notice this was a unique
experience. That is, it never happened again, and in no other place - in Acts or elsewhere - is God's acceptance
of a sinner placed on these terms. To make this, as some do, a pattern case for this dispensation and make it
apply to everyone is to fail to "rightly divide the Word of Truth." The dispensationalist, by understanding God's
dealings, has no problem with these passages.

(29) The Jew had to make a public stand for (a) _________________________ and against their
(b) ___________________________ before (c) ___________________________________ and
(d) ____________________________________________.
(30) This was a _______________________________ experience.

Now work out the problem of these other two passages (Acts 8:9-17; 10:44). Remember, who are the people in
question: Jews, Samaritans, or Gentiles? What was the former position of this people? Had they taken any
official stand against Christ? If not, had they taken any stand against the Old Covenant? Think! Samaritans were
half-breed Jews who rejected the Temple worship and hated the Jews who maintained it (see John 4:22). Why
do you suppose God made them submit to the laying on of the hands of Peter, a Jew, before they were granted
the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)?

(31) The two questions to ask when working out problem passages such as the examples given are:
(a) ________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________
(32) The people in question are ______________________________________.
(33) They had taken a stand ___________________________ the Old Covenant.
Had the Gentiles (Acts 10) taken any official stand? If not, do you see why they were granted the Holy Ghost
simply on faith? Since God is taking out from among the Gentiles a people for his name during this age, which
of these passages do you suppose would set the pattern for this age? Now read all these passages carefully and
read the questions asked and you will be reading and studying dispensationally.
98
 D. Conclusion
We do not have the space, in this section, to study all of these passages, but the same principles apply. Put them
to use, and you will find a new pleasure and thrill in the study of God's Word. In our final section, we shall see
how a study of the dispensations has given a larger understanding of God, of man, of grace, and of the Bible
itself.
Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 10 points.

(1) Most of the events of Matthew happened during _______.

a. the New Testament b. the Dispensation of Grace c. the Dispensation of Law
(2) Christ's ministry in the Gospels was primarily to _______.
a. His Disciples b. the Gentiles c. the Jews
(3) The dispensationalist sees Matthew's Gospel as _______.
a. some random reminiscences about the life of Christ
b. a record of the transition from a postponed Kingdom to Church Age
c. a beautiful tulip
(4) The main transition in Matthew occurs in _______.
a. chapter 11 b. chapter 7 c. chapter 12:24
(5) The Jews at Pentecost had to be baptized before they received the Holy Spirit because _____.
a. they are a pattern for the whole dispensation
b. they belonged to a nation that had nationally proclaimed Christ to be a fraud, and they
needed to publicly renounce this verdict and confess Christ
c. baptism always precedes salvation
(6) The Samaritans had taken a false position regarding the Old Covenant because _______.
a. they were half-breed Jews
b. they refused the Temple worship at Jerusalem
c. they were "good Samaritans"
(7) God made the Samaritans acknowledge their former wrong by _______.
a. receiving the Holy Spirit at the hands of a Jew
b. walking to Jerusalem
c. being baptized
(8) Cornelius received the Holy Spirit _______.
a. after baptism
b. after the laying on of hands
c. after hearing the Word and believing
(9) Cornelius was a _______.
a. Jew b. Gentile c. Samaritan
(10) The way men are saved during this dispensation is like _______.
a. the Jew at Pentecost
b. the Samaritans in Acts 8
c. Cornelius in Acts 10
(Check your answers on page 103)

III. THINGS THE DISPENSATIONS TEACH US

99
We saw in the last section that our dispensational study had provided a useful tool to an understanding of the
Word of God. However, we must always remember that tools are not enough. Godfrey Bull in his book God
Holds the Key (a story of his personal experiences and thoughts during his imprisonment by the communists in
China from October, 1950, to December, 1953) compares the Bible to a wonderful country. This country is
ruled by the "Authority" or God Himself. Entrance to the country is very often misunderstood. "Many
dignitaries of scholarship, experts of scientific standing and critics of acclaimed ability arrive daily at the
frontier stations and present their special credentials." These, Mr. Bull tells us, are almost all refused. "What is
required is a bonafide declaration of the intention of the entrant. This includes an indication of an attitude of
faith in, and submission to, the Authority, and a willingness to act . . . on the information obtained. "What Mr.
Bull is saying may be summed up in two verses of Scripture: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God . . . because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, to understand the Word,
we must be saved. The second is James 1:22, "But obey the message; be doers of the Word, and not merely
listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the truth]" (Amplified N.T.). We
must be prepared to submit. With these attitudes of faith and obedience we can see the tools and find wondrous
things out of thy law.

(1) In order to understand the Word we must be _______________.

(2) What Scripture verifies this? ___________________________.
(3) We must also be prepared to _____________________________________.
A. What Dispensational Study Teaches Us About God
We sometimes wonder how many people think of God as a transcendent Creator who has allowed things to
somehow get out of control and is now waiting for something - they hardly know what - that will allow Him to
clear up the mess. Many Christians, while believing that God has things under control, seem to think He is
simply sitting back and waiting for man to bring in the Kingdom. A study of the dispensational divisions of
Scripture shows us that God is not sitting around waiting. God is actively at work carrying out a Divine purpose
in this age as He has in every other. We see God as an omniscient and omnipotent One who is never taken by
surprise, but has preceded man in every age, planning and working and proving His love, and proving man's
weakness through every conceivable test. He is a God of order, for He is never ruffled. He is a God of patience,
for He is never hurried. He is a God of power, for He is never frustrated. He is a God of wisdom, for He is never
wrong. He is a God of righteousness, for He is never unfair. He is a God of grace, for He is never unloving.
It is an examination of God's dispensational dealings with Israel, after all that nation's failures, that causes Paul
to say in Romans 11:33, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable
are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! And it is a realization of God's dispensational plan for the
Gentiles that causes James to exalt, known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world (Acts
15:18).

(4) What is God doing now? ______________________________________________________

(5) He is (a) ________________________ and (b) _______________________.
(6) List six descriptions of God given in the preceding paragraphs.
(a) __________________________ (d) __________________________
(b) __________________________ (e) __________________________
(c) __________________________ (f) ___________________________

Our God has become to us a bigger God, a greater God; a God worthy of all our trust and praise. If God has a
plan for the ages and He is able to execute that plan, is it not reasonable to believe that God can carry out His
plan for our lives. It is this that allows us to say, My times are in thy hands, and say it with peace and
confidence. It is this that made the Holy Spirit remind us that it is God which worketh in you both to will and to
do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
100
(7) Knowing God is executing His plan for the ages involving all times and peoples, it is logical and
reasonable to believe that He can carry out His plan for __________________________.

B. What Dispensational Study Teaches Us About Man

After watching man's performance through the seven great dispensational periods, it is impossible for us to ever
again believe in that humanistic theory that man has a Divine "spark" which only needs to be fanned and it will
blaze into the flame of Divinity. If we learned a single thing from these studies it is that man is corrupt. He is
incurably corrupt. He is totally depraved and sinful and under no condition can he do right or please God.

(8) What is the final conclusion which can be drawn concerning man?_________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Our study will set us free from the dream of certain liberal preachers and philosophers that man needs only the
right environment to be the right kind of person. We are certain, before they try, that new houses, new clothes,
new gardens or new occupations will not make new men. Man is so depraved that only the new birth (John 3)
can make him good. He must be a new creation, not a remodeled corruption. Perhaps we already knew this
truth, but our study of the dispensations has engraved it upon our hearts (as well as our minds) so deeply that we
will never forget it.

(9) What is the only remedy? ______________________________________________________

C. What Dispensational Study Teaches Us About Law and Grace
The dispensationalist sees clearly that the principles of law and grace are forever separate and cannot be
mingled (Romans 4:1-8; 11:6). From his knowledge of man, he recognizes that any scheme of self-effort for
man is doomed to failure from the beginning. He is thereby saved from legalistic teachers of this age that make
salvation contingent upon either the Old Testament Law, the Sermon on the Mount, or some ordinance such as
baptism. The dispensationalist sees clearly that grace is God GIVING man what he does not deserve, (that is,
salvation, eternal life, and fellowship with Himself both now and for eternity).

(10) Law and grace are forever __________________.

(11) Grace is _______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

He also understands God's plan for this age. He is not "building a kingdom." He is taking out of them (the
Gentiles) a people for his name (Acts 15:14). We see that God is utterly consistent, that He is not whimsical in
His dealing but orderly, and carrying out His plan for each age in a measured and harmonious way.
Furthermore, we are saved from confusing the duties and responsibilities of one dispensation with the duties
and responsibilities of another. In short, we are rightly dividing the word of truth.
(12) God's plan for this age is to take out ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
(13) A thorough understanding of the dispensations should save us from confusing the (a) _________________
and (b) _____________________________ of one dispensation with that of another.
(14) This is in harmony with rightly ____________________________________________________________.

D. What Dispensational Study Teaches Us About the Bible

101
In no other approach to the Scriptures do we see, with quite the same clarity, the inspiration and accuracy of the
Bible. We grasp the Divine pattern of Scripture, like the theme of a great symphony, running from the
beginning to the end and relating each part to the whole plan of God. All Scripture is for us, but not all is
written to us. We recognize that from Genesis 12 to Acts 10 the Jew is largely in view. We learn that God has a
special program for Israel, different from His program for the Church. The Bible is no longer a heterogeneous
collection of writings, but a harmony, a whole, a grand and glorious story of the ages of God's dealing with
man.

(15) There is a Divine pattern of __________________________.

(16) Each part of Scripture is related to the ____________________ plan of God.
(17) All Scripture is (a) ____________, but not all is written (b) ______________.

E. Conclusion

Finally, dispensational study must always remain a tool, not a strait-jacket. It must serve us, but we must never
serve it. We should use it and help others enjoy its blessings, too. But let us be careful not to allow our
knowledge to destroy the humility of the Spirit. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity (love) edifieth. If our study
has allowed us to see clearer, enabling us to love or serve Him better, it has been of tremendous value.

Review Questions: The review questions should be answered with care. They are supplied for the purpose of
testing your understanding of the section just studied. Restudy the section if your score is under 90%. If your
score is 90% or above, restudy all that you did not understand.
Each answer is worth 9 points.

(1) To understand the Bible, we must have (a) ___________________in, and (b) ________________________
to, the Authority (God).
(2) Is education the primary thing in studying the Bible? _______________
(3) What is the first requirement in understanding God's Word? ________________
(4) We should study with the intention of _______.
a. getting more knowledge b. obeying the Word and pleasing God
(5) Name one thing a study of the dispensations teaches us about God. _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(6) What do liberals teach as a solution to making man right? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(7) What does dispensationalism teach us about Law and grace? ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(8) Name one thing a study of the dispensations teaches us about man? ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(9) What does it teach us about God's plan for this age? _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
(10) Name one thing it teaches us about the Bible. _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Check your answers on page 104)

Pre-Test

102
PREPARE YOURSELF! Turn to page 87, and carefully review the objectives. Then review each section of
Part VI of this course, and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely understand.
It is a good practice to rewrite every incorrect question in this course. With this done, study the reviews again.
Try to take the Pre-test without looking in the notes. For the Pre-test, you may look in the notes if you cannot
remember an answer. When you are finished with the Pre-test, you should check your answers with the answer
key.
Each answer is worth 2.3 points.
(1) Concerning God's purposes, _____________________ is the center of the earth.

(2) During the millennium _______.

a. complete obedience is required
b. the annual Feast of Tabernacles is to be kept
c. both of the above

(3) The Feast looks back to ______________________________________________________________.

(4) The Feast looks forward to ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________.

(5) What kind of punishment is given for an overt act against the authority of the King?
_________________________________________________________________________________

(6) List six things Christ will be to the people as King.

(a) ____________________________ (d) ____________________________
(b) ____________________________ (e) ____________________________
(c) ____________________________ (f) _____________________________

(7) Number the following to show the order of events.

(a) _______ destruction of heaven and earth
(b) _______ rebels respond to Satan
(c) _______ second resurrection
(d) _______ attack the Holy City
(e) _______ Great White Throne judgment

(8) The second resurrection involves the_________________________ dead.

(9) Where does the body come from in the second resurrection? _________________________________

(10) Where does the soul come from? ______________________________________________________

(11) After union, where are they cast? ______________________________________________________

(12) God creates a new (a)______________________ and (b)_________________.

(13) Most of Matthew deals with the_________ people.

a. Jewish b. Gentile
(14) A pivotal portion of Scripture is _______.
a. where events become confused

103
 b. where events involve a change from one dispensation to another
c. where the books of the Bible are out of chronological order

(15) In chapter 11 of Matthew, Christ changes from offering the Jewish nation the
(a) _____________________ and instead offers individuals the (b) _________.

(16) Why did the Jews at Pentecost have to be baptized before receiving the Holy Spirit?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

(17) Why did the Samaritans have to experience the laying on of hands by a Jew before receiving the
Holy Spirit? ______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

(18) Cornelius received the Holy Spirit by ___________________________________________.

(19) Today we receive the Holy Spirit by ____________________________________________.

(20) To really understand the Word, we need _________.

a. many good reference books b. to be born again

True or False:

(21) God has everything under control. __________

(22) He is waiting for man to bring in the Kingdom. _________

(23) He is making a Divine plan for this age. _________

(24) He is carrying out a Divine purpose in this age. _________

(25) He seldom gets ruffled at man's weaknesses. _________

(26) He has a specific plan for each of our lives. _________

(27) Law and grace were only mixed at the end of the Dispensation of Law. _______

(28) All Scripture is for us. _________

(29) All Scripture is written to us. _________

(30) In all dispensations, man is proven to be totally _______.

a. corrupt b. depraved c. sinful d. all of these

(31) From what group of people is God taking out a people for His name? __________________
(Check your answers on pages 104)

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

104
Turn to page 87 again, and carefully review the objectives. Then review the sections over “God’s Plan of the
Ages: Part VI Kingdom,” and give special attention to those areas of study that you do not completely
understand. Review the answers to the pre-test. When you believe you know the material well, you are ready to
take the test. Find the test in the Test Booklet, “God’s Plan of the Ages: Part VI Kingdom,” You may NOT
use your notes or the Bible when taking the test. The tests may be mailed individually, in groups, or
altogether when you finish the Unit. Please mail the tests in the way that is cheapest and most convenient for
you.

105
 ANSWER KEY: GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES: PART VI

I. ANALYZING THE FINAL DISPENSATION

(1) Israel
(2) the battle of the ages ending Gentile dominion and/or Christ will rule from here for the 1000 years
(3) all nations
(4) (a) complete obedience to the King (b) righteousness in all relationships at every level
(5) (a) commemorative (b) prophetic
(6) Israel's wilderness wanderings
(7) the time when God shall tabernacle among His people
(8) everyone in Israel
(9) king
(10) King of Kings over all the world
(11) (a) absolute (b) complete (c) immediate
(12) born during the Millennium
(13) natural
(14) (a) King (b) Counselor (c) Shepherd (d) Master (e) Sustainer (f) Law-giver
(g) Father (h) Prince of Peace (i) Wonderful (Any of the six answers above are acceptable)
(15) because of His wrath
(16) (a) 1000 (b) Satan (c) bottomless pit
(17) hated
(18) yes
(19) the new birth
(20) (a) mercy (b) judgment
(21) God judged them; fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them
(22) Satan
(23) Millennium
(24) the lost
(25) their works
(26) responsibility
(27) (a) what they knew (b) what they did
(28) (a) new creation (b) new Heaven (c) new Earth

REVIEW
(1) Israel
(2) c
(3) b
(4) a
(5) b
(6) c
(7) at the end of the 1000 years when Satan is released
(8) (a) Shepherd (b) Master (c) Sustainer (d) Father (e) Law-giver (f) Wonderful
(g) Counselor (h) Prince of Peace (i) King (any of the six above)
(9) c
(10) c

II. LEARNING TO READ AND STUDY DISPENSATIONALLY

(1) (a) transitional (b) dispensation

106
(2) (a) Conscience to Human Government (b) Human Government to Promise
(c) Law to Grace (d) Law to Grace
(3) advents
(4) (a) it transpires under Law (b) Christ was ministering to the Jews
(c) He knew His death would end the dispensation - God is never taken by surprise
(5) Law
(6) Jews
(7) death
(8) pedigree of the King of Israel
(9) (a) Abraham (b) a son of David
(10) way for the Kingdom
(11) healing
(12) constitution of the Kingdom
(13) heart righteousness
(14) (a) Kingdom (b) mighty deed
(15) eleven
(16) Kingdom
(17) King
(18) Christ the King
(19) (a) human (b) spiritual
(20) Abraham
(21) hearts
(22) (a) Church (b) Kingdom
(23) (a) person (b) work of redemption
(24) King to Israel
(25) Kingdom
(26) Law
(27) (a) Acts 2 - through baptism (b) Acts 8 - by laying on of hands (c) Acts 10 - by faith alone
(28) because the Jewish nation outwardly, officially, and publicly rejected Him, thus the individual had to
publicly accept
(29) (a) Christ (b) rulers (c) being accepted by God (d) receiving the Holy Spirit
(30) unique
(31) (a) who are the people in question? (b) what was their former position?
(32) Samaritans
(33) against

REVIEW
(1) c
(2) c
(3) b
(4) a
(5) b
(6) b
(7) a
(8) c
(9) b
(10) c

III. THINGS THE DISPENSATIONS TEACH US

(1) saved
107
(2) 1 Corinthians 2:14
(3) be doers
(4) carrying out a Divine purpose in this age
(5) (a) omniscient (b) omnipotent
(6) (a) order (b) patience (c) power (d) wisdom (e) righteousness (f) grace
(7) our lives
(8) he is totally depraved and sinful
(9) the new birth
(10) separate
(11) God giving man what he doesn't deserve
(12) from the Gentiles a people for His name
(13) (a) duties (b) responsibilities
(14) dividing the Word of Truth
(15) Scripture
(16) whole
(17) (a) for us (b) to us

REVIEW
(1) (a) faith (b) submission
(2) no
(3) being saved
(4) b
(5) He is in complete active control, omniscient and omnipotent
(6) the right environment
(7) the two can never be mixed
(8) he is incurably corrupt, depraved, and sinful
(9) that he is taking out from the Gentiles a people for His name
(10) it is a whole ongoing book with one theme - it is for us, but not all of it is written to us

PRE-TEST
(1) Israel
(2) c
(3) Israel's wilderness wandering
(4) the time God shall tabernacle among His people
(5) death
(6) (a) King (b) Master (c) Father (d) Shepherd (e) Sustainer (f) Counselor
(g) Law-giver (h) Prince of Peace (i) Wonderful (any 6 of the above)
(7) (a) 3 (b) 1 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 5
(8) wicked
(9) grave
(10) Hell
(11) Lake of Fire
(12) (a) Earth (b) Heaven
(13) a
(14) b
(15) (a) Kingdom (b) King
(16) because as a nation they had outwardly rejected the King
(17) they had rejected Temple worship
(18) faith
(19) faith
108
(20) b
(21) true
(22) false
(23) false
(24) true
(25) false
(26) true
(27) false
(28) true
(29) false
(30) d
(31) Gentiles

109
110
1