God's Sands of Time

By Dr. Mervil R. Stambaugh

"god's sands of time" begins by identifying the involvement of dispensations in the texts of the Bible. It also defines the term dispensation as well as what is involved in determining what constitutes a given dispensation.

In order to understand the beginning of dispensations, this book will examine the matter of the biblical account of the creation and the origin of man. Another area that is considered is environmental involvement due to the ending judgment at the close of each dispensation.

In that the pregiven factors determine the opening and closing of a dispensation, the author concludes that there are seven in number. Thus, each dispensation is evaluated in light of the biblical information given from Genesis to Revelation.

In looking at the first five dispensations along with most of the way through the sixth, it is evident that the history of mankind is revealed in Scripture as God has been at work with man through the ages. The reader will also discover that the last two dispensations have much to reveal from Scripture concerning the happenings of the current unrest in the world and God's plan for the conclusion of this present heavens and earth.

There is also information regarding the "new heavens and new earth that is to be made that will last forever and will be righteous forever." The understanding of God's plan through the ages will bring comfort as we see that indeed God is in control and has been all along.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098076962

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God's Sands of Time

Dr. Mervil R. Stambaugh

Copyright © 2020 by Mervil Stambaugh

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

I would like to dedicate this book in loving memory of my parents Curvin W. Stambaugh and Lottie E. Stambaugh, also two of my brothers Fred W. and Paul R. Stambaugh, and my sister Anna S. Cook.

In Honor of

I would also like to publish this book in honor of my brother Richard L. Stambaugh and my sisters Elizabeth Hartman and Margaret Kauffman as well as my twin brother Dr. Curvin D. Stambaugh.

Acknowledgments

I wish to give special thanks to my loving and patient wife Terry, for her encouragement in writing this book and bringing it to completion. I wish to also thank Linda Dixon for her skill in typing the final copy. Thanks also must be given to Philip Coblentz for his help in constructing my charts and to Nathanael Moss for his help in positioning the charts for publication. Special thanks must be given to Dr. Robert Congdon for his advice and encouragement to have the book published.

Above all, I give very special thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His leading in writing and sharing this truth of His Word.

Introduction

In the study of Scripture, we do not proceed very far into the texts until there is the realization that there are definite periods of time in which God was and is dealing with man in a carefully designed pattern from that of another time designated period. It is these given periods of time that we wish to examine in this writing. The name given to a time period is a dispensation.

There are two considerations that must be made in such a study which are (1) the fear of dispensations and (2.) the value of dispensations. Many students of the Scripture exhibit a fear of the subject either because of a lack of understanding of dispensations or due to the unjust accusations of antidispensationalists. A fear of dispensations is also produced when there is a failure to use the literal method of interpretation of Scripture. The value of studying Scripture with a dispensational approach is that it produces an organized system of Bible understanding and study.

This method of the study also enhances a proper application and understanding of the Bible.

Doctrine in a given time period.

The objective of this study in dispensations is to develop a systematic study of the subject by defining the periods of time, developing distinctive characteristics of each given time period, and showing the dominant doctrinal involvements in the given period of time. The objective also is to produce a systematic understanding of the Scriptures by showing that they are not presented in chaos, but to the contrary, they are designed with definite organization and purpose in the development of periods of time.

It is important as well to realize that God has designed this organized development to bring warning to the unbelievers and encouragement to the believers. Therefore, it is the writer’s desire to produce a systematic approach to the studying of Scripture with the goal that it can be a tool in helping the unsaved come to an understanding of their lost condition through the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and, therefore, accept Christ and His work as God’s payment for their sin.

CHAPTER I

FOUNDATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN DISPENSATIONS

In order to begin a study in dispensations, it is essential that we give attention to certain foundational considerations which will enable us to establish a clearer approach to the subject. The foundation of a building is that part of the structure upon which the whole building rests. In like manner, the foundation of dispensations is that part upon which the whole study rests. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the basic principles and at the same time endeavor to not become laborious on the subject. In light of this thought, many of the considerations will be viewed without argumentation of the opposing views. The supportive authoritative references will be considered as sufficient evidence on a given development of thought.

Definition of Dispensations

In order to develop a definition of the term dispensation, we must consider (A) the scriptural involvement of the word dispensation, (B) the considerations in developing a definition, (C) some varied definitions, and (D) a simple definition.

The Scriptural Involvement of the Word Dispensation

The word is used in Scripture and conveys the idea of administration in a prescribed way in a given period of time. There are a variety of forms in which the word is used. The following statement by Charles Ryrie indicates the New Testament usage of the word dispensation.

The various forms of the word dispensation are used in the New Testament twenty times. The verb oikonomeo is used once in Luke 16:2 where it is translated to be a steward. The noun oikonomos is used ten times (Luke 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Romans 16:23; I Corinthians 4:1; Galatians 4:2; Titus 1:7; and I Peter 4:10), and in all instances, it is translated to steward except chamberlanin in Romans 16:23. The noun oikonomia is used nine times (Luke 16:2, 3, 4: I Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2, 9; Colossians 1:25; and I Timothy 1:4). In these instances, it is translated variously (stewardship, dispensation, and edifying). The Authorized Version of Ephesians 3:9 has fellowship (koinonia), whereas the American Standard Version has dispensation."¹

In that Dr. Ryrie considers that the scriptural meaning of the word is stewardship, he then draws the following meaning as a definition for the term:

As far as the use of the word in Scripture is concerned, a dispensation may be defined as stewardship, administration, oversight, or management of others’ property. As we have seen, this involves responsibility, accountability, and faithfulness on the part of the steward.²

On the basis of Dr. Ryrie’s statement, we see that the idea of stewardship places a designed responsibility upon the subjects which places them accountable to the initiator of the responsibility with faithfulness as the evidence of being accountable.

The Considerations in Developing a Definition of the Term Dispensation

There are two considerations that we believe must be examined in order to arrive at an acceptable definition for the term. The first is the purpose of a dispensation, and the second is what the characteristics of a dispensation are.

To consider the purpose of a dispensation is to consider the design for which it is intended. This involves the divine design of God for man with a particular result or accomplishment in view of what is acquired by the successful completion of a given responsibility for a designated period of time.

The second consideration is that of its characteristics or the scope of what it covers such as when it begins, what are its requirements of operation, in what way is the failure of man, and what its ending judgment is. The characteristics are given as follows in the book Major Bible Themes by Chafer and Walvoord.

Each dispensation, therefore, begins with a man being divinely placed in a new position or privilege and responsibility, and each closes with the failure of a man resulting in righteous judgments from God. While there are certain abiding facts such as the holy character of God which are of necessity the same in every age, there are varying instructions and responsibilities which are, as to their application, limited to a given period.³

Dr. Ryrie considers the primary characteristics of a dispensation as twofold regarding which he writes the following:

What marks off the various economies in the outworking of God’s purpose and distinguishes each from the other? The answer is twofold: (1) the different governing relationship into which God enters with the world in each economy and (2) the resulting responsibility on mankind in each of these different relationships.⁴

Some Varied Definitions

There are a variety of definitions among dispensationalists for the term dispensation. Most, however, agree that it is a given economy in which God is dealing with man for a given period of time. The following are three examples of the definitions for the term dispensation:

Ryrie: A concise definition of a dispensation is this: A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose.⁵

Chafer: A dispensation can be defined as a stage in the progressive revelation of God constituting distinctive stewardship of rule of life.⁶

Boyd: The entire period of Scripture from the creation of Adam to the ‘new heaven and new earth’ of Revelation 21:1 is divided into several ‘ages’ or ‘dispensations’ of time. These periods are marked off in Scripture by some change in God’s method of dealing with all men, with respect to man’s sin and his responsibility.⁷

A Simple Constructed Definition

A dispensation is a given period of time in which God deals with man in a God-designed responsibility.

HISTORY OF DISPENSATIONS

To understand the history of dispensations, it is necessary to consider, firstly, the origin of dispensations and, secondly, the types of approaches to dispensations.

The Origin of Dispensations

The theology or doctrine of dispensations, as we know it today, was not present at the time of the writing of the Old or New Testament Scripture. However, it is important to note that the concept or idea is not a relatively new thought. Quite to the contrary, it was in one form or another as far back as the early Church fathers. Dr. Ryrie sets this forth in the following statement:

…at any rate, evidence is available and shows that dispensational concepts were held early and throughout the history of the church.⁸

The concept was used in Scripture by Paul even though it is translated into the English word dispensation.

Nevertheless, it is used with the idea of age or a period of time.