April 3,2025
Part 2
Previously, I outlined why I believe in the Rapture now let's analyze my believe in dispensationalism:
Dispensationalism is a theological framework that interprets the Bible as dividing history into distinct periods or during which God interacts with humanity in different ways. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 We read, for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose...
How do we get here?
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Literal Interpretation of Scripture:
A literal reading of the Bible, particularly when it comes to prophecy and eschatology (end-times events). Passages in the Old Testament, such as God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21) about land and a nation for Israel, which took place May 1948, should be taken at face value rather than spiritualized or applied solely to the Church.
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Israel and the Church—have distinct roles and destinies. Passages like Romans 11, where Paul discusses Israel’s future restoration and a temporary "hardening" until the "fullness of the Gentiles" comes in (Romans 11:25-26). Conflating Israel and the Church (as in replacement theology) ignores these distinctions and the ongoing relevance of God’s covenants with Israel. After all, can we trust God's covenant with us if he forgets the covenant He made with His chosen people?
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Progressive Revelation:
God reveals His will progressively across time, with each dispensation (e.g., Innocence, Law, Grace). In Hebrews 1:1-2 ("God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways"). The transition from the Mosaic Law to the age of grace demonstrate this pattern. Each dispensation ends in human failure, highlighting the need for God’s ultimate redemption.
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Eschatological Consistency:
Dispensationalism details end-times framework—including the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Millennial Kingdom. Passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (the Rapture) and Revelation 20:1-6 (the 1,000-year reign of Christ) align with a literal timeline that separates God’s dealings with the Church (raptured before the Tribulation) and Israel (restored during the Millennium).
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Historical Precedent:
Early Church writings (e.g., Justin Martyr or Irenaeus) offer distinctions in God’s dealings with humanity. Dispensionalism is a refinement of biblical truth rather than a modern invention, rooted in a return to scriptural fundamentals.
Dispensationalism offers a clear Israel-Church distinction, and a structured view of history and prophecy, that reflects the Bible’s narrative and God’s unchanging character.
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