We all agree that we want the Scriptures to teach us. Yes, we can easily go to the writings of great teachers – but part of unwinding powerful and tightly fastened traditional thinking in our belief structure is the need to let Scripture speak for itself, and for writers to respect this.

Below is an introduction to dispensational thinking, as written by Paul the apostle. This shows “rightly dividing” in action and forms a strong foundation for our thinking going forward. We see God working at different times in different ways. What is exciting is that we see how God is working right now – in our time, today, with us in the 21st century.

A Threefold Division of the Bible: Time Past, But Now, Ages to Come

God Himself cannot change. Who He is in essence and character – He is truly the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). However, when we look at His dealing with mankind we see things have clearly changed. For example, Adam and Eve were vegetarians; Noah onwards were carnivores; under Moses there were dietary restrictions – and then further change today in the dispensation of grace. (See also spiritually: Psalm 1:1 vs. Ephesians 4:30; Exodus 31:15 vs. Colossians 2:16; Genesis 17:11 vs. Galatians 6:15, to name a few.)

It is absolutely critical as Bible students that we learn to identify change – God administering differently – so as to be fully clear as to how we are serving God correctly in our time, which is the dispensation of the grace of God.

Writing the book of Ephesians to the church at Ephesus and beyond to the Body of Christ, Paul gives in Ephesians chapter two an overview of God’s dealings with mankind. He puts forward three divisions to help secure our greater understanding of where we are now in the Body of Christ: time past (Eph. 2:11–12), but now (Eph. 2:13), and the ages to come (Eph. 2:7). Let us look at these briefly as an introduction.

Time Past

As Paul wrote Ephesians he looked back from the spiritual time he lived in – “Wherefore remember…” (Ephesians 2:11–12). Note: the words circumcision and uncircumcision describe a physical, racial, and social distinction. One grouping was in “the flesh” and “made by hands.” In the world at this time were two groups: one being in relationship with God, having promises and covenants with God; the other being without hope, without God, whom God had given up on (Romans 1).

The story of time past begins with Abram (Abraham) receiving promises of a nation to come. This nation stood alone in the world as a special people who had salvation and a privileged standing with the one true God. Eventually they lived under a Mosaic system of law and sacrifices. Jesus Christ came to Israel (Romans 15:8) during this time past as a minister to the racial group of Israel. We see His ministry in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We see Jesus Christ working within the “middle wall of partition” – an unseen racial and spiritual separation (Matthew 10:5–6, Matthew 15:24, John 4:22). Under Peter’s preaching this wall of separation continued (see Acts 3:25–26, 5:30–32, 11:19). These references and their implications challenge our belief systems – more on this vital issue later.

But Now (Ephesians 2:13–14)

Time to get excited! The Apostle Paul uses this but now as a contradistinction. Clearly when used, it indicates a change of significance has occurred. In context, Jew and Gentile were in time past separated by the act of circumcision and all that this symbolised. Paul now says a great change has occurred – the things that separated no longer have meaning or power. This change comes from God.

We can then say from Ephesians 2:14 that Christ has broken down the wall – Hallelujah! We as Gentiles are now nigh to God (very close), and Jesus Christ has slain the enmity. Saved Gentiles and saved Jews together make up the Body of Christ and have the same standing and privilege. There is no difference.

Ephesians 3:1–3, 5–6 bring before us the “mystery.” As we study its use and meaning we find that a new body of information, undergirding a new programme, has been revealed primarily to the Apostle Paul. This information was hidden by God since the world began. It concerns a new gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) and a new agency: the Church, the Body of Christ.

Working through the book of Acts and linking it with Paul’s epistles leads us to conclude that when the raising up of Paul occurred, so too did the change from time past to the but now. With Paul comes a new gospel – “my gospel” (Romans 16:25) – based on Christ dying for our sins and being raised for our justification. This was never preached before Paul.

As one writer has said, this cross-over is “the most important boundary line of the Bible – that between prophecy and the great mystery proclaimed by Paul. It is into these two great subjects that the Bible is basically divided.” See Peter in Acts 3:19–21 and Paul in Romans 16:25. Information made known and kept secret – we must realise that Jesus Christ sent Paul, and grasp the full significance of it (Romans 11:13).

Observation of content leads us to believe and accept that Romans through Philemon are the books that speak into the but now period and detail what God is doing during the present dispensation of grace.

The Ages to Come

God has a plan for all the ages. When God’s work is done down on earth with the Body of Christ, a new time period will begin. God will start up the prophetic programme where He left off dealing with Israel in Acts 7:54–60 and Luke 13:6–9. The middle wall of partition will be re-established; Daniel’s 70th week will commence in a period called the Tribulation; the Davidic kingdom will be established and known as the millennial kingdom. In God’s timing, Ephesians 1:10 will be brought to pass – with Israel and the Body of Christ.

Conclusion

The study of the time periods shows us that all of the Bible is to us – but not necessarily all for us. There are other people in God’s programmes. We must fully grasp this and take responsibility in our own lives to correctly understand God’s plans, purposes, and right doctrine. Then, and only then, will we understand what God is doing today – and just what He would have us to do.