7 Dispensations, Ages, Administrations
Dispensationalism is a theological system that emphasizes the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy. It recognizes a distinction between Israel and the Church and organizes the Bible into different dispensations or administrations. Each being a divinely appointed age. It identifies seven dispensations in God’s plan for humanity. It has two primary distinctions: a consistently literal interpretation of Scripture, especially Bible prophecy, and Israel as separate and distinct from the Church in God’s program.
Literal Interpretation of the Bible
How Was the Bible Written?
There are 66 books in the Bible (Holy Scriptures) with approximately 40 different human authors. It was written over about 1500 years. The authors were always men. They were kings, fishermen, priests, government officials, farmers, shepherds, and doctors. They include books of law; historical books; books of poetry; books of prophecy; biographies; and epistles (formal letters). From all this diversity comes an incredible unity, with common themes woven throughout. Jesus Christ is the great and consistent theme of the Bible. Its unity is because it has one Author—God Himself. The Bible is “God-breathed.” Therefore, you must interpret the Bible literally.
"All Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The human authors wrote exactly what God wanted them to write, and the result was the perfect and Holy Word of God
"for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). (2 Peter 1:21).
Truth Under Attack
We live in a time that tends to shrug its shoulders when confronted with the truth. The 21st-century post-Christian man says, “Nothing is true,” or perhaps, “There is truth, but we cannot know it.” “I have my truth, and you have your truth.” “There is no absolute truth; everything is relevant.” We’ve grown accustomed to being lied to, accused of being intolerant, and harassed to the point of death. They either say, “There is no God,” or “We are all gods with a divine nature.” Many people seem comfortable with the false notion that the Bible can be interpreted by their own truth, whims, culture, and moral preferences.
Our confidence is in God the Holy Spirit, not our own good intentions, education, or intellect. The same Holy Spirit that lives in every born-again believer wrote the Bible, then we can rest assured that He can and will help us interpret the Scriptures. The Apostles had a promise that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and remind them of everything that Jesus said to them.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you” (John 14:26).
Also, he illuminates all believers like you and me. We are promised to be guided into all truth and disclose to believers what is to come.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you” (John 16:13-14).
Biblical Inerrancy
The doctrine of biblical inerrancy (perfect, correct) is critical because the truth does matter. This issue reflects on the character of God and is foundational to our understanding of everything the Bible teaches. Here are some reasons why we should absolutely believe in biblical inerrancy.
1. It is essential to remember that the Bible judges us, not vice versa. The Word of God judges the heart and mind's thoughts, desires, and attitudes.
"For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Notice the relationship between “the heart” and “the Word.” The Word examines; the heart is being examined. To discount parts of the Word for any reason is to reverse this process. We become the examiners, and the Word must submit to our “superior insight.” Yet God says,
"But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20).
2. The Bible itself claims to be perfect. These claims of purity and perfection are absolute statements.
"And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6).
"The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7).
"Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5, KJV).
3. The Bible’s message must be taken as a whole. It is not a mixture of doctrines that we are free to select from. We simply cannot pick and choose what we like about the Bible and throw the rest away. If the Bible is wrong about hell, for example, then who is to say it is right about heaven or anything else? If the Bible cannot get the details about creation, then maybe the facts about salvation cannot be trusted. If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so is the story of Jesus. On the contrary, God has said what He has said, and the Bible gives us a complete picture of who God is.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
4. The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is unreliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, including what He says in His Word. Jesus had just witnessed the departure of many who had claimed to follow Him. Then He turns to the twelve apostles and asks,
"You do not want to leave too, do you?” At this, Peter speaks for the rest when he says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-69).
16 Reasons Why We Interpret the Bible Literally
Every prophecy about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament was fulfilled literally.
Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection all occurred precisely as was predicted in the Old Testament.
There is no non-literal fulfillment of messianic prophecies in the New Testament. It argues strongly for the literal method.
All prophecies are literal.
The Lord Jesus Christ took the Bible literally.
Whenever the Lord Jesus quoted from the Old Testament, it was always clear that He believed in its literal interpretation.
As an example, when Satan tempted Jesus in Luke 4,
He answered by quoting the Old Testament.
If God’s commands in Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, and 6:16 were not literal, Jesus would not have used them and
they would have been powerless to stop Satan’s temptation and lies.
The disciples also took the commands of Christ literally.
Jesus commanded disciples to go and make more disciples in Matt 28:19-20.
In Acts 2 and the following,
The disciples took Jesus’ command literally and went throughout the known world of that time preaching the gospel of Christ.
Telling them to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Taking Jesus’ words literally assures all believers of their salvation.
I believe Jesus when He says He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10),
He paid the penalty for my sin (Matthew 26:28),
He provided forgiveness of sins when I believe in Him (1 John 1:9).
And He gives eternal life (John 17:3).
Apostles teach us the literal Gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is condensed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–6:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
he was buried,
he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time.
Biblical Hermeneutics
The most important law of biblical hermeneutics is to interpret Scriptures Literally. It is the only way to determine what God is trying to communicate to us. When we read any piece of literature, especially the Bible, we must determine what the author intended to convey. The literal interpretation gives each Word the meaning it would commonly have in everyday usage. So, I intend to understand the Bible in its ordinary or plain sense unless the passage is meant to be symbolic or if figures of speech are employed. The Bible says what it means and means what it says.
The purpose of language itself requires that we interpret words literally. God gave the languages for the purpose of being able to communicate. Words are vessels of meaning.
For example, when Jesus speaks of having fed “the five thousand” in Mark 8:19, the law of hermeneutics says we should understand five thousand literally—there was a crowd of hungry people numbered five thousand, fed with real bread and fish by a miracle-working Savior.
For a detailed explanation go to my post called Why Interpret the Bible Literally?
Even Interpret Revelation Literally
The book of Revelation is the most spiritualized (allegorized) book in the bible. It presents a sweeping narrative that unveils the culmination of God’s divine plan for creation, depicting a cosmic struggle between good and evil during the end times. The book is deeply rooted in Old Testament imagery, drawing from prophetic traditions and weaving together a tapestry of symbols and visions that convey profound literal and spiritual truths. Even so, it is to be interpreted literally!
Revelation unveils our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Prophecy is what makes the Bible different and better than any other book ever written. Only God knows the ending and then tells you what it is—Prophecy. He is the creator of all things even time.
“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My plan will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a distant country. Truly I have spoken; truly, I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will certainly do it” (Isaiah 46:9-11).
9 Reasons to Interpret Revelation Literally!
We will look to Jesus, the Apostles, and even Jewish interpretation to develop our Literal interpretation of Revelation. When the over 100 prophecies of Christ’s first coming were given in the Old Testament, they were given and fulfilled literally. Though Christ repeatedly spoke against the teachings of the Pharisees, He never rebuked them or argued over their literal interpretation of prophecy. The Orthodox Jews, even today, believe in the Old Testament literally.
When John uses the word like or as – as he does over 100 times – we take that to be a comparison with the thing he uses as a comparison:
“His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Rev 1:16), and “a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch” (Rev 8:10).
2. When the text explains a symbol right in the text, we simply take John’s explanation:
“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Rev 1:20).
3. Examine carefully the word usage, grammar, and verb tenses that John uses.
4. Examine everything in context.
5. Interpret according to the history and the culture in which John wrote.
6. The symbolism in the book of Revelation is Jewish rather than Greek. The Greek cultural perspective examines John’s symbolism and asks, “What does that look like?”
The Jewish cultural perspective looks at the symbolism in Revelation and asks, “What does it mean?” So, a red dragon of Revelation has a meaning and in the context of the Old Testament, it is the serpent of old or Satan the chief of all demonic angels. What helps determine the meaning of Revelation is that approximately 70% is straight out of the Old Testament.
7. Even though we interpret first the meaning of the words.
The pictorial image does stir the imagination and senses. This is what we mean by taking advantage of the fact that 70% of the book of Revelation is straight out of the Old Testament. All of those Old Testament contexts are available to provide insight into the meaning of passages in Revelation.
8. We will take full advantage of John’s amazing consistency, such as:
a. Christ is called “the Lamb” 30 times (similar to John 1:29, 36 – no other New Testament author calls Christ “the Lamb”).
b. Christ is said to have a “sword in His mouth” five times, and in each case, John uses the Greek word for a barbarian’s long sword (ramphaia).
c. The phrase “loud voice” occurs 19 times and never comes from someone on the earth.
9. We will recognize that some things are clearly spelled out but will not be understood clearly as to their application until the time in which they are fulfilled. Daniel did not know the fulfillment of all the prophecies that he wrote, but those of later centuries did.
Therefore, read Israel as Israel and the church as the church and differentiate between the saints of the church age and the saints of the Tribulation.
For a detailed explanation go to my post called Why Interpret Revelation Literally?
Israel is Separate and Distinct from the Church
Dispensational theology teaches that there are two distinct peoples of God: Israel and the Church. I believe that salvation has always been by Grace through faith alone—in God in the Old Testament and specifically in God the Son in the New Testament. The Church has not replaced Israel in God’s program and the Old Testament promises to Israel have not been transferred to the Church.
This view that Israel and the church are different is clearly taught in the New Testament. Biblically speaking, the church is distinct from Israel, and the terms church and Israel are never to be confused or used interchangeably. We are taught from Scripture that the church is an entirely new creation that came into being on the day of Pentecost and will continue until it is taken to heaven at the rapture.
"He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will" (Ephesians 1:9-11).
Therefore, the church has no relationship to the curses and blessings for Israel. The covenants, promises, and warnings of the Mosaic Covenant were valid only for Israel. Israel has been temporarily set aside in God’s program during these past 2,000 years of dispersion (see Romans 11).
There Has Always been a Faithful Remnant of Israel
Speaking of Israel, the Apostal Paul writes,
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!” (Romans 11:1).
During most of the Old Testament era, there were essentially three groups of people: the gentile nations, national Israel (those Israelites that were born descendants of Abraham of which most rejected their Messiah Jesus), and the faithful "Remnant Israel" (those who believed by faith in Messiah Jesus). Although the nation of Israel was often involved in idolatry, apostasy, and rebellion, God always kept for Himself a faithful remnant—those who trusted in Him and who would not bow their knee to Baal.
“Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18).
Some were circumcised in the flesh and a smaller number had their hearts circumcised as well. So, even in the Old Testament, not all were Israelites who were descended from Israel.
“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (Romans 9:6).
Remnant Israel
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the faithful remnant of Israel included believers such as Simeon and Anna (Like 2:25-36). During Jesus’ adult ministry, true Israel was most visible in those Jewish disciples who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Those who rejected Jesus were not true Israel, regardless of their race. This included many of the scribes and Pharisees. Though they were physically Jews, they were not true Israel,
“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God” (Romans 2:28-29).
The faithful remnant of Israel became defined by union with the true Israelite—Jesus Christ.
“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ” (Galatians 3:16, 29).
On the day of Pentecost, the faithful “Remnant Israel”, Jewish believers in Jesus, were taken by the Holy Spirit and formed into the nucleus of the New Testament Church (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit was poured out on these believers, and the same men and women who were part of this “Remnant Israel” were now the New Covenant Church.
Soon after, gentiles began to become a part of this church. Thus, there is continuity between “Remnant Israel” and the Church. Yet there is discontinuity between the Church and National Israel as well, just as there was discontinuity between the faithful remnant and apostate Israel in the Old Testament. Therefore, there is no distinction between faithful “Remnant Israel” and the Church and a great distinction between the Church and unbelieving Nation Israel. Therefore, all New Testament Jews who believe in Jesus automatically become part of the Church. They are called Messianic Jews.
Dispensationalism teaches that, after the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), God will restore Israel as the primary focus of His plan. The first event at this time is the tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The world will be judged for rejecting Christ, while Israel is prepared through the trials of the great tribulation for the second coming of the Messiah.
Then, when Christ does return to the earth at the end of the tribulation, Israel will be ready to receive Him. The remnant of Israel who survived the tribulation will be saved, and the Lord will establish His kingdom on this earth with Jerusalem as its capital. With Christ reigning as King, Israel will be the leading nation, and representatives from all nations will come to Jerusalem to honor and worship the King—Jesus Christ. The church will return with Christ and will reign with Him for a literal thousand years.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament support a premillennial/dispensational understanding of God’s plan for Israel. The strongest support for premillennialism is found in the clear teaching of Revelation 20:1-7, where it says six times that Christ’s kingdom will last 1,000 years. After the tribulation the Lord will return and establish His kingdom with the nation of Israel, Christ will reign over the whole earth, and Israel will be the leader of the nations.
The church will reign with Him for a literal thousand years. The church has not replaced Israel in God’s plan. While God may be focusing His attention primarily on the church in this dispensation of grace, God has not forgotten Israel and will one day restore Israel to His intended role as the nation He has chosen (Romans 11). Let's take a closer look.
Analogy of the Olive Tree in Romans 11
The tree represents the covenant people of God—Israel. Paul compares unbelieving Israel to branches that have been broken off from the olive tree.
“But if some of the branches were broken off” (Romans 11:17a).
Believing gentiles are compared to branches from a wild olive tree that have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree.
“being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in” (Romans 11:17b–19).
The same tree exists across the divide between Old and New Testaments. That which remains after the dead branches are removed is the Remnant Israel. Gentile believers are now grafted into this already existing old tree. There is only one good olive tree.
"If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” In relation to the gospel, they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the Fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, that it would be paid back to him? For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:16-36).,
This passage speaks of Israel the (“natural” branches) being broken off from the olive tree, and the Church (“wild” branches or shoots) being grafted into the olive tree. Since Israel is referred to as branches, as well as the Church, it stands to reason that neither group is the “whole tree," rather, the whole tree represents God’s workings with mankind as a whole. Therefore, God’s program with Israel and God’s program with the Church are part of the outworking of His purpose among men in general. By mercy God is able to graft Israel back into His family and keep the Christians there as well. For both the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Therefore, to Jesus goes all the glory forever. Not either but both!
Is God Finished With Unbelieving Israel?
So, what does this mean for national Israel, the branches that have been broken off from the true Israel because of unbelief? Is God finished with these people as a covenantal entity?
In Romans 1–8, Paul denied that Jews were guaranteed salvation based on their distinctive privileges as Jews. Faith was the key, not ethnicity or any kind of works. Paul argued that all who believe in Jesus are children of Abraham. He also argued that none of God’s promises would fail. All of this would raise serious questions in the minds of his readers. What about Israel? What has become of God’s promises to her in light of her rejection of the Messiah? Has the faithlessness of Israel negated God’s promises? Has Israel been disinherited? Has the plan of God revealed throughout the Old Testament been derailed or set aside? Paul answers these questions in Romans 9–11.
Romans 9-11 and the Future of Israel
Paul begins Romans 9 with a lament for Israel—his “kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3). He then recounts all the privileges that still belong to Israel—including the adoption, the covenants, and the promises (Romans 9:4-5). In verses 6–29, Paul defends the proposition he states in verse 6a, namely, that the promise of God has not failed. In verses 6–13, he explains that the corporate election of Israel never meant the salvation of every biological descendant of Abraham: “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6) . In verses 14–23, Paul expands on this, explaining that salvation was never a birthright based on biological descent. It has always been a gift based on God’s sovereign election. In Romans 9:30-10:21, Paul elaborates on the turn that redemptive history has taken, namely, that while Israel has stumbled over Jesus, gentiles are now streaming into the kingdom.
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).
He’s talking about Israel. The very fact that Paul can continue to pray for the salvation of unbelieving Israel indicates that he believes salvation is possible for them. What Paul has said thus far raises the big question, which he now states.
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!” (Romans 11:1).
This is the basic theme of chapter 11. In verses 1–10, Paul demonstrates that God has not rejected Israel by distinguishing between the “remnant” and the “hardened or unbelieving.” Building on what he has already said in Romans 9:6–13 and 9:27, Paul indicates that just as in the days of Elijah, there is also now a believing remnant chosen by God’s grace.
“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace. (Romans 11:2-6).
But the rest, the nation of Israel as a whole, which has been “hardened.”
“What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened” (Romans 11:7).
God has dulled the spiritual senses of Israel,
“just as it is written: God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, down to this very day” (Romans 11:8),
and they have stumbled.
King David says, “May their table become a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block and a retribution to them. May their eyes be darkened to see not and bend their backs continually” (Romans 11:9–10).
Paul then asks,
“Did they stumble in order that they might fall?”
What is his answer?
“By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous” (Romans 11:11).
What is the present significance of Israel’s stumbling? Paul explains that it has happened as a means to bring a multitude of gentiles into the kingdom. The hardening of Israel is serving God’s purpose. Their trespass has served as the occasion for the granting of salvation to the gentiles. Paul states,
“Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (Romans 11:12).
In verses 11–12, Paul mentions three events:
the trespass (or “failure”) of Israel,
the salvation of the gentiles,
and the full inclusion of Israel.
The first of these leads to the second, and the second leads to the third. Israel’s trespass, in other words, started a process that will ultimately lead back to Israel’s restoration. This is the first of five places in this short passage where Paul explains the purpose and future of Israel in terms of three stages.
Rom. 11:11–12: “Trespass of Israel”—>“salvation for the Gentiles”—>“their fullness” |
Rom. 11:15: “Their rejection”—>“reconciliation of the world”—>“their acceptance” |
Rom. 11:17–23: “Natural branches broken off”— >“wild shoots grafted in”—>“natural branches” grafted back in |
Rom. 11:25–26: “Hardening of Israel”—>“fullness of Gentiles”—>“all Israel will be saved “ |
Rom. 11:30–31: Disobedience of Israel—>mercy for gentiles—>mercy to Israel |
The repeated occurrence of this “three-stage” process reinforces the idea that Paul is looking forward to a future restoration of Israel. Israel’s present condition is described as “failure” and as “rejection.” Paul characterizes the future condition of Israel in terms of “full inclusion” and as “acceptance.” Israel is not simultaneously in the condition of “failure” and “full inclusion,” of “rejection” and “acceptance.” The “full inclusion” will follow the “failure.“ The “acceptance” will follow the “rejection.”
Paul anticipates a potential problem in verses 13–24. Gentile believers who had been taught that they were now God’s people could be easily misled into thinking that this was cause for boasting against the Jews. In these verses, Paul warns against such arrogance. In Romans 11:16–24, Paul explains the development of redemptive history and the place of Israel within it by using the olive tree analogy that we discussed above.
Here again, Paul points to three stages in redemptive history:
“natural branches broken off”—> “wild shoots grafted in”—> “natural branches” grafted back in.
Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
“For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25).
Here Paul is still speaking directly to the gentiles He wants them to understand a “mystery.” In this context, the mystery involves the reversal of Jewish expectations concerning the sequence of end-time events. The “mystery” is that the restoration of Israel follows the salvation of the gentiles.
“But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore, insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry” (Romans 11:13).
Paul continues and states that all Israel will be saved and their sins will be taken away.
“and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins” (Romans 11:26-27).
Paul is not in anguish over the salvation of the remnant. They are already saved. He is in anguish over unbelieving Israel. It is this “Israel” for whose salvation he prays (Romans 10:1), and it is this Israel that he says will be saved in verse 26.
The interpretation of “all Israel” that best fits the immediate context is that which understands "all Israel" as the nation of Israel as a whole, but not necessarily including every individual member of ethnic Israel. Paul consistently contrasts Gentiles and Israel throughout this chapter, and he continues to do so in the first half of the sentence we are examining (v. 25). There is no contextual reason to assume that Paul changes the meaning of the term Israel in mid-sentence here. The “Israel” that will be saved (v. 26) is the “Israel” that has been partially hardened (v. 25). This partially hardened Israel is distinct from the gentiles (v. 25) and is also distinct from the present remnant of believing Jews, who are not hardened (v. 7).
Israel’s present hardening has a purpose in God’s plan, but this hardening is not permanent. The future restoration of the nation of Israel will involve their re-grafting into the olive tree, the one people of God. The restoration of Israel will mean their becoming part of the faithful “Remnant Israel” by faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah during the Tribulation.
All Nations Blessed by Faith
In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation (the Jews), the Jews would possess a land, that nation would be blessed above all other nations, and all other nations would be blessed from Israel. So, from the beginning, God revealed that Israel would be His chosen people on the earth, but that His blessing would not be limited to them exclusively. Scripture identifies the nature of the blessing to come to all the other nations.
“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14).
All the nations of the world were blessed by Israel, through whom the Savior of the world came.
Jesus the Jewish Messiah
God’s plan of redemption is built upon the finished work of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and Abraham. But Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient for the sins of the entire world, not just the Jews!
“Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you’” (Galatians 3:6-8).
In other words, in Christ, believers are counted righteous by faith in the same way that Abraham was.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
If we are in Christ, then we are partakers of the blessing of Israel and all nations in the redemptive work of Christ. Believers become the spiritual descendants of Abraham. Believers do not become physical Jews, but they may enjoy the same type of blessings and privileges as the Jews.
Is the Law Mandatory or a Curse
Now, this does not contradict or nullify the revelation given in the Old Testament. God’s promises in the Old Testament are still valid, and God’s relationship with Israel as a chosen people points to the work of Christ as a Redeemer of the whole world. The Mosaic Law is still mandatory for all Jews who have not yet accepted Christ as their Messiah. Jesus did what they could not do—fulfill the Law in all its details.
“Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).
As New Testament believers, we are no longer under the curse of the Law, because Christ has taken that curse upon Himself on the cross.
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Galatians 3:13),
The Law served two purposes: to reveal sin and mankind’s inability (on his own merit) to do anything about it, and to point us to Christ, who fulfills the Law. His death on the cross completely satisfies God’s righteous requirement of perfection.
Unconditional Promises
God’s unconditional promises are not invalidated by the unfaithfulness of man. Nothing we do is ever a surprise to God, and He does not need to adjust His plans according to the way we behave. No, God is sovereign over all things—past, present, and future—and what He has foreordained for both Israel and the Church will come to pass, regardless of circumstances.
Therefore, Israel’s unbelief would not nullify His promises concerning them.
“What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’" (Romans 3:3-4).
Promises made to Israel are still going to be kept in the future. We can be sure that all God has said is true and will take place, because of His character and consistency. The Church does not replace Israel and should not expect a symbolic fulfillment of the promises of the Old Covenant. As one reads Scripture, it is necessary to keep Israel and the Church separate.
Dispensationalism teaches that the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament (for salvation, land, many descendants, and blessings) will be ultimately fulfilled in the 1000 years spoken of in Revelation 20. Just as God is in this age focusing His attention on the Church, He will come again in the future to focus His attention on Israel as we just saw in Romans 9-11.
Seven Dispensations or Divinely Appointed Ages
I believe in the dispensational method of interpreting history, which divides God’s work and purposes toward humanity into different periods or ages. We understand the Bible to be organized into seven dispensations or divinely appointed ages:
the age of Innocence (Genesis 1:1—3:7),
the age of Conscience (Genesis 3:8—8:22),
the age of Human Government (Genesis 9:1—11:32),
the age of Promise (Genesis 12:1—Exodus 19:25),
the age of Law (Exodus 20:1—Acts 2:4),
the age of Grace (Acts 2:4—Revelation 20:3),
and the age of the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4–6).
These dispensations are not paths to salvation but manners in which God relates to man. Each dispensation includes a recognizable pattern of how God worked with people living in that time. That pattern can be simplified into 1) stewards, 2) the period, 3) responsibility, 4) failure, 5) judgment, and 6) grace to move on.
FIRST: Dispensation of Innocence
The first dispensation (Genesis 1:28-30 and 2:15-17) covered the period of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In the dispensation of Innocence, God worked face-to-face with His highest creation, made in His own image.
In this divinely appointed age, God’s commands were to:
replenish the earth with children,
subdue the earth,
have dominion over the animals,
care for the garden, and
abstain from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
God warned of the punishment of physical and spiritual death for disobedience. It was short-lived and ended with Adam and Eve’s disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit causing their expulsion from the garden.
The six (6) recognizable patterns of this age of Innocence.
Stewards: Adam and Eve
The Period: From the creation of man to his temptation and fall
Responsibility: To obey God (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-17)
Failure: Disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6)
Judgment: Curse and death (Genesis 3:7-19)
Grace: A new chance and the promise of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15)
After the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind was no longer innocent which ushered in the age of Conscience.
SECOND: Dispensation of Conscience
The second was a dispensation of Conscience. It’s when God appeals to humans to use their divinely implanted consciences to do right. They were to continue His sovereign plan. This divinely appointed age (Genesis 3:8–8:22) lasted about 1,656 years from Adam and Eve’s eviction from the garden until the flood. When God could not tolerate sin, He brought a flood to destroy all but eight people. It demonstrates what humanity will do if left to his own will and conscience. Mankind had been tainted by their inherited sin nature.
The five significant aspects of this dispensation are:
a curse on the serpent,
a change in womanhood and childbearing,
a curse on nature,
the imposing of strenuous work on mankind to produce food, and
the promise of Christ as the seed who will bruise the serpent’s head (Satan).
During the dispensation of Conscience, humanity only became worse and worse. It was supposed to help mankind choose a relationship with God through a blood sacrifice (Genesis 4:4). Instead, the first death occurred. Cain slew his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8) because God had accepted Abel’s animal sacrifice but not Cain’s grain sacrifice. Before the murder, God warned Cain of impending sin and told him that he could still choose to do well (Genesis 4:6-7). Cain had the opportunity to bring a proper sacrifice after he saw what pleased God. But Cain let jealousy cloud his eyes. Cain demanded that God be pleased with his own efforts and refused to follow God’s plan. This kind of thinking still plagues mankind today, as people attempt to approach God on their own terms rather than God’s. This is a perfect example of man-made religions.
The six (6) recognizable patterns of this age of conscience.
Stewards: Cain and Seth and their families
The Period: From man’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden until the flood
Responsibility: To do good and offer blood sacrifices (Genesis 3:7, 22; 4:4)
Failure: Wickedness (Genesis 6:5-6, 11, 12)
Judgment: The worldwide Flood (Genesis 6:7, 13; 7:11-14)
Grace: Noah and his family are saved (Genesis 6:8-9; 7:1; 8:1)
Mankind violated his conscience and failed in his responsibility to choose to do God’s will. Apparently, God wanted man to discover that he could not let his conscience be his only guide. Conscience proved to be an inferior guide, indeed. Out of all that lived in this dispensation, only Abel, Enoch, and Noah were called righteous (Hebrews 11:2-7; Genesis 5:22-24; 6:8-9).
“The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5).
The Lord’s solution was to destroy man from the face of the earth, along with all land-dwelling animals (verse 7).
“But Noah found favor [grace] in the eyes of the LORD” (verse 8).
God extended Grace to Noah and his family, instructed them to build the ark, and established His covenant with them (Genesis 6:14-22). Noah warned his contemporaries for 120 years as he built the ark and as the LORD showed His great patience. God saved eight people and brought them into a new dispensation (Genesis 7:1; 8:1).
"By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" (Hebrews 11:7).
When mankind's conscious failed and evil prevailed, the flood ushered in the age of Human Government.
THIRD: Dispensation of Human Government
The third dispensation (Genesis 9:1—11:32) is where God destroyed life on earth with a flood, saving just one family to restart the human race. Civil authority was established to govern society in the dispensation of Human Government. Still, again, humanity rebelled—this time at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4). After God dispersed the people, He created the nation of Israel from Abraham and his descendants.
God made the following promises and commands to Noah and his family:
God will not curse the earth again.
Noah and his family are to replenish the earth with people.
They shall have dominion over the animal creation.
They are allowed to eat meat.
The law of capital punishment is established.
There never will be another worldwide flood.
The sign of God’s promise will be the rainbow.
Noah’s descendants did not scatter and fill the earth as God had commanded, thus failing their responsibility in this dispensation. About 325 years after the flood, the earth’s inhabitants began building a tower, a great monument to their solidarity and pride (Genesis 11:7-9). God brought the construction to a halt, creating different languages and enforcing His command to fill the earth. The result was the rise of different nations and cultures. From that point on, human governments have been a reality.
The six (6) recognizable patterns of this age of human government.
Stewards: Noah and his descendants
The Period: From the Flood to the confusion of tongues at Babel, about 429 years
Responsibility: To scatter and multiply (Genesis 9)
Failure: Refusal to spread and the building of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-4)
Judgment: Confusion of languages (Genesis 11:5-9)
Grace: Abraham is chosen—the start of the Jewish race (Genesis 12:1-3)
Human government failed and Abraham was chosen to fulfill God's promise of a chosen people.
FOURTH: Dispensation of Promise
The fourth dispensation (Genesis 12:1—Exodus 19:25) started with the call of Abraham, continued through the lives of the patriarchs, and ended with the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt, a period of about 430 years. After God had created the Hebrew people, He gave them the Law through Moses (the dispensation of Law). God’s people consistently broke the commandments, but the Law was finally fulfilled in Christ. During this dispensation, God developed a great nation He had chosen as His people (Genesis 12:1–Exodus 19:25).
The fundamental promise was the Abrahamic Covenant. Here are some of the critical points of that unconditional covenant:
From Abraham would come a great nation that God would bless with natural and spiritual prosperity.
God would make Abraham’s name great.
God would bless those that blessed Abraham’s descendants and curse those who cursed them.
In Abraham, all the families of the earth will be blessed. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His work of salvation.
The sign of the covenant is circumcision.
This covenant, repeated to Isaac and Jacob, is confined to the Hebrew people and the 12 tribes of Israel.
God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, bless Abraham and his descendants, and the whole earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:1-3). As the patriarch, Abraham had failures in his life, notably in fathering Ishmael (Genesis 16), going to Egypt (Genesis 12:10), and deceiving others about his wife, Sarah (Genesis 20:2).
Later, the Hebrew people were faced with a test: would they believe the promise God gave Abraham to protect, bless, and guide them? They chose not to believe the promise and took upon themselves the bondage of law and separation from God (Exodus 19:10-13, 18, 21; 12:19).
Still, God provided Grace through Moses, through Passover protection, and through the miraculous meeting of their material needs (Exodus 12–18). In Exodus 19:4, God reminds the Israelites of His grace:
“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
The six (6) recognizable patterns of the age of promise.
Stewards: The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The Period: From the call of Abraham to Israel’s arrival at Mt. Sinai, a period of about 430 years
Responsibility: Dwell in Canaan (Genesis 12:1-7)
Failure: Dwelt in Egypt (Genesis 12:10; 46:6)
Judgment: Egyptian bondage (Exodus 1:8-14)
Grace: Moses, the deliverer, is sent (Exodus 3:6-10)
The dispensation of Promise ended at Mt. Sinai, where God gave Abraham’s people the Law to govern them in yet another manner.
FIFTH: Dispensation of Law
The fifth dispensation of Law lasted almost 1,500 years, from the Exodus until it was suspended after Jesus Christ’s death. This dispensation will continue during the Millennium, with some modifications. During the Dispensation of Law, God dealt specifically with the Jewish nation through the Mosaic Covenant, or the Law, found in Exodus 19–23. This dispensation is for the nation Israel, the Jewish people.
The dispensation of Law is named after the Mosaic Law.
It’s called a “covenant” in Exodus 24:7-8, Deuteronomy 4:13, and Galatians 3:19.
It was God’s only conditional covenant with Israel.
It stated that blessing and success depended upon the people’s obedience to the Law (Exodus 19:5).
It did not take long for the Law to be broken, as proved by the golden calf in Ex 32.
The dispensation involved temple worship directed by priests, with further direction spoken through God’s mouthpieces, the prophets.
Eventually, due to the people’s disobedience to the covenant, the tribes of Israel lost the Promised Land and were subjected to bondage.
While the Abrahamic Covenant continues and has not yet been completely fulfilled (even today), God changed course with His chosen people Israel at Mt. Sinai. God added the Law and a new dispensation with a beginning and an ending (Romans 10:4).
The six (6) recognizable patterns of the age of Law.
Stewards: Moses and the children of Israel as a nation at Mt. Sinai.
The Period: from Mt. Sinai until Christ Jesus fulfilled the Law with His death.
Responsibility: Keep the whole Law (Exodus 19:3-8)
Failure: The Law was broken (2 Kings 17:7-20)
Judgment: Worldwide dispersion (Deuteronomy 28:63-66; Luke 21:20-24)
Grace: The promised Savior is sent (Isaiah 9:6-7; Galatians 4:4-5)
The Law was also a temporary covenant to be made null and void by the institution of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:32; Hebrews 8:13; 10:9).
The Law was added “because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come” (Galatians 3:19).
It is important to note that the Law of Moses was given only for the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:3-8; Deuteronomy 5:1-3; 4:8). Jesus made it clear that it was given to Israel and not the Gentiles (Mark 12:29-30). The apostle Paul said the Law was given to Israel, not the Church (Romans 2:14; 9:4-5; Ephesians 2:11-12). The dispensation of Law is over. How unfortunate that Israel misinterpreted the purpose of the Law and sought righteousness by good deeds and ceremonial ordinances rather than by God’s Grace (Romans 9:31-10:3; Acts 15:1)! Because they were focused on attaining their holiness, they rejected their Messiah (John 1:11). Israel’s history, from Mt. Sinai to the temple's destruction in AD 70, was one long record of violating God’s Law. However, the Law was still fulfilled. As Jesus states,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
Because of Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of the Law, we are saved through Him:
“A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
The crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ sets the stage for the Day of Pentecost which ushered in the Age of Grace.
SIXTH: Dispensation of Grace
Grace is the sixth dispensation (Acts 2 to Revelation 3:22), the one in which we now live, beginning with the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20). The Lord then established the dispensation of Grace. God’s unmerited favor would finally allow His chosen people (believing Jews and Gentiles) to have lasting fellowship with Him. This “Age of Grace” or “Church Age” occurs between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel 9:24. It starts with the coming of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It ends with the Rapture of the Church
(1 Thessalonians 4).
This dispensation is worldwide and includes both Jews and Gentiles.
Man must believe in Jesus, the Son of God (John 3:18).
The Holy Spirit indwells believers as the Comforter (John 14:16-26).
It has lasted for almost 2,000 years, and no one knows when it will end.
We know that it will end with the Rapture (snatching up or taking away) of all born-again believers from the earth to go to heaven with Christ.
Following the Rapture will be God's judgments (wrath) lasting for seven years, called the Great Tribulation or Jacobs Trouble.
Grace is God’s benevolence to the undeserving. Grace is the rule of life for the Church, and through the Church, God’s Grace is extended to the whole world, as the gospel of Jesus Christ is taken to the ends of the earth. Grace saved us (Ephesians 2:8-9), it supports us (Romans 5:2), it teaches us (Titus 2:11-12), and it disciplines us (1 Corinthians 11:28-32; Hebrews 12:5-11). With the Holy Spirit indwelling His Church, we can walk with the Lord and live as He intends (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10; 5:17-18; Philippians 1:6; 4:13; Romans 8:14).
The six (6) recognizable patterns of the age of grace.
Stewards: The Church. All believers are ministers of their spiritual fruit and a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9).
The Period: From the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), a period of nearly 2,000 years and counting.
Responsibility: To be perfected by sanctification; to love one another; to exhibit ever-increasing godliness (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 John 1:5).
Failure: A lack of maturity; worldliness; many churches falling into apostasy and false teachers (Galatians 5:4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Judgment: The blindness of apostasy and false doctrine (2 Thess 2:3; 2 Tim 4:3)
Grace: Forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus (1 John 1:3-7; John 14:20).
The Rapture of the Church ends the age of grace, and shortly after or immediately, ushering in the 7-year Tribulation, also known to the Jews as, Jacobs Trouble.
SEVENTH: Dispensation of Kingdom
The seventh dispensation will be the Kingdom Age lasting 1,000 years as Christ rules on earth. This Kingdom will fulfill the prophecy to the Jewish nation that Christ will return and be their King. The only people allowed to enter the Kingdom are the born-again believers from the Age of Grace, righteous survivors of the seven years of Tribulation, and the resurrected Old Testament saints. No unsaved person is allowed access to this Kingdom. Satan is bound for 1,000 years.
The Millennial Kingdom will be a time characterized by the following:
by peace (Isaiah 11:6-7; Micah 4:3),
justice (Isaiah 11:3-4), unity (Isaiah 11:10),
abundance (Isaiah 35:1-2),
healing (Isaiah 35:5-6),
righteousness (Isaiah 35:8),
joy (Isaiah 55:12),
the physical presence of Christ (Isaiah 16:5),
and animal natures changed (Isaiah 11:6-8).
Human life will be extended (Isaiah 65:20.
Satan will be bound in the Abyss during this period (Revelation 20:1-3).
Jerusalem will be the headquarters where Jesus will sit on the throne as King (Isaiah 2:2-4), Jerimiah 7:25, Zechariah 8:3-8).
The resurrected saints of all times will participate in the management of the government (Revelation 20:4-6).
The Messiah Jesus Christ will be the benevolent dictator ruling the world during this Kingdom age. Thus, fulfilling God's promise to the Jewish Nation.
"For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
The six (6) recognizable patterns of the age of God's Kingdom.
Stewards: The resurrected Old Testament saints, the glorified Church, and survivors of the Tribulation and their descendants
The Period: From the Second Coming of Jesus Christ until the final rebellion, a period of one thousand years
Responsibility: To be obedient, remain undefiled, and worship the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 11:3-5; Zechariah 14:9)
Failure: After Satan is loosed from the Abyss, sinful man rebels one more time (Revelation 20:7-9)
Judgment: Fire from God; the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:9-15)
Grace: Jesus Christ restores creation and rules righteously in Israel, with all saints assisting (Matthew 25:31-46): Revelation 20-22; Isaiah 11:1-5).
This Millennial Kingdom Ends with God's Final Judgment
"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them,
and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-14).
The Old World is Destroyed by Fire.
"But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered (burned up). Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:7, 10-13).
Creation of the New Heaven and New Earth Will Begin
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost" (Revelation 21:1-6).
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We All Have the Same Dilemma, We're Dead in Sin
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