INTRODUCTION
The great work week of human history from Adam's fall is typical of the pattern of the vastly longer creative periods of time presented in the first and second chapters of the book of Genesis. "With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (Ps. 90:4, 2 Pet. 3:8.) A careful study of the genealogical tables and history of the Old Testament shows that from Adam's fall to Christ was about 4, 000 years, or four days of 1, 000 years each, corresponding in type to the first four exceedingly longer periods of what has been termed the "Creative Week" described in Genesis. From the advent of Christ down to the present time there has been close to 2, 000 years, or nearly two days of 1, 000 years each, thus making the close of the sixth day of man's work week and the inception of the seventh day imminent. Again, these two periods of 1, 000 years each correspond in type to the exceedingly longer fifth and sixth periods of the "Creative Week." According to this pattern there remains for mankind a seventh 1, 000 year day to complete this particular week. The seventh day in the scriptural pattern of the septenary cycle was the sabbath which means essentially, completion, implying a period of rest. It is referred to as such in Hebrews 4:4-11, where it is associated with the seventh period of the "Creative Week." The inception of this seventh 1,000 year day from Adam's fall will bring the inauguration of the heavenly and earthly kingdoms (when Satan is cast out) under the supervision of Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:4-6, 11:15; 12:1-10).
The spiritual growth of mankind, historically as a whole and individually, has always depended on his response to what God has made available. As in the case of the natural growth of a human being, God follows His ordained pattern and feeds man spiritual truth as he is able to digest it (Isa. 28:9-13, Matt. 13:10-17, John 16:12-13, I Cor. 3:1-3). Revelation of the plan of God for mankind is progressive and is given by the gradual unveiling of the truth contained in Scripture. It has continued in this manner during each age throughout the successive ages. In the unfolding process there are distinguishable stages of revelation or insight, as God allows this further unveiling, for which man then becomes responsible. These stages are the economies, stewardships, or dispensations in the unfolding of His purpose.
The word "dispensation" means literally a stewardship or administration or economy. Therefore, in its Biblical usage, a dispensation is a divinely established stewardship of a particular phase of revelation or set of revealings of God's mind and will which, again, brings an increment of responsibility to those to whom it is given.
Associated with the revelation, on the one hand, are promises of reward or blessing for those responding in obedience, while on the other hand there are warnings of remedial judgment upon those who do not respond in obedience to that particular revelation.
Though the time period of an age ends, the principles of the revelation of particular dispensations are carried over into succeeding ages, because God's truth does not cease to be truth, nor does it change and these principles become incremental to the cumulative body of truth for which man is responsible in the progressive unfolding revelations of God's purpose.
God's truth is contained in His Law. If His Law is kept it insures a proper relationship to Him and to mankind (John 14:21, I John 5:1-3, 2 John 4-6). When law is kept, harmony ensues but when broken, discord results. Grace, unmerited favor, clemency, forbearance, leniency or mercy has always been available to man when he agrees to turn from his own discordant ways and receive the understanding which God offers. At no time, however, has grace eliminated the necessity for man as an individual to come into compliance with the principles of divine law (Matt. 5:17-20, I John 2:1-6).
The proper operation of an earthly family is an object lesson of the more basic relationship of which it is a type. "Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness." (Heb. 12:9-10).
In the natural family when a child is old enough to partly understand and also old enough to do wrong, his father establishes some rules or laws for behavior. Then the child receives some disciplinary action if he is disobedient. When the child becomes morematuri and arrives at understanding, he is no longer under law, but under grace. There is no longer the need to bring out the whip, or even threats, because the child has arrived at a position where he can exercise understanding. If the upbringing was carefully worked out, the child has understanding and takes the same interest as the father in that which is right.
God does not deviate from the pattern He has established for the natural family in His position as Father of mankind (Eph. 3:14-15). The basic precepts of His law were given through Moses to be dramatized in type for the benefit of every subsequent generation. The law and its severity come into play wherever there is persistence in rebellion and lack of understanding. But the severity of the law is not necessary wherever there is a cooperative individual ready to follow the teaching and train ing from the father. However, the right way to live if the same under law or grace. The law brings punishment as a result of violation. Grace allows the patient working in love with the humble individual who realizes that the training is for his growth.
The opportunity for the replacement of the severity of the law by the favor of grace came for all men who will respond, when Jesus Christ paid the price for the redemption of all men from the consequences of their sin. Grace fully comes into effect when the individual honestly requires the rul ing Lordship of Jesus Christ over his total living pattern, and when there is willing response to His teaching through the Holy Spirit, even when it goes against the human nature.
All of Scripture, Old and New Testament, is written for the purpose of instruction (Ro. 15:3-6, 2 Tim. 3:14-17). In addition to the presentation of the law, the Old Testament is replete with patterns of time and event that shed the essential light necessary to understand and prepare for useful participation in the purposes of God as this age draws to a close (Hos. 12:10, I Cor. 10:1-11).
"Therefore, every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." (Matt. 13:52). In this saying of our Lord we are told very clearly that we are to bring forth out of the wondrous storehouse of treasure, things new and old. In fact, the things which are new are given the preference through first mention, pointing to the fact that added portions of truth should always be eagerly sought out.
It is an irrefutable fact that God has His own set times and seasons for accomplishing His purpose and fulfilling His Word (Eccl. 3:1, 11, 8:1, 5). Age after age, God's plan for man has been unfolding in perfect accord with His appointed times. It is equally certain that the Bible should and does reveal God's own unique universe calendar which is not limited to the circuit of the planet earth around its sun. Nevertheless, there are few with accurate knowledge of this calendar and its appointed times. Instead of following the calendar presented in the Bible most live by altered and corrupted time-schedules devised by man. So throughout the world we find various calendars, not one of which is in perfect accord with God's time. This is not to be wondered at, for the powers in opposition to God's purposes have always sought to confuse men concerning God's Word and His. times. One of the marks of the anti-Christ is that "he will intend to make alterations in times and in law" to confuse the saints (Dan. 7:25). Even among "the saints of the Highest one" there is little enlightenment in regard to this subject. It is because of ignorance that they do not become attuned to His rhythm, nor do they detect the ticking and striking of His unerring clock (Hos. 4:1-6).
In the days of the patriarchs such knowledge did exist in a measure. They understood that God...
