What is Dispensationalism?

John,
When time permits can you explain how you understand this portion of scripture in light of this post. What was Peter saying here?

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

 

Jer. 33
- Jesus came according to that promise. Did he fail? Is he not fulfilling that promise?
Is God glorified in the abandonment of his people Israel for 2000 years?
Is this generation 60 generations suffering God's wrath contrary to Ezekiel 18?

No. No. No.
Jesus Christ IS the fulfilment of God's promises. Many thousands of Jews did respond to the Gospel call forming the church, and continue to respond.
Should they wait for a supposed millennium?
How foolish! Now is the day of salvation.

 

I greatly appreciate your taking the time to lay out your understanding of Dispensationalism.

I don't think there is anyone who seriously thinks that there is no future for the people of Israel. Rather, we believe that the Gentiles have been 'grafted in' to Israel, so that what you describe as 'Replacement Theology' is in reality Inclusion Theology and the future for the Jews is now bound in with that of the Gentiles.

When you have time, I would like you understanding of the following verses:

Ephesians 2:11-16. 'Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision , made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to make in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.'

It seems self-evident to me that there is now only one people of God (see the underlined portions)-- believing Jew and believing Gentile together in Christ (c.f. Romans 2:28-29; Philippians 3:3; Galatians 3:28 etc.). Not that Israel after the flesh has been rejected or superseded, but that the Gentiles have been brought in amongst them. This is what makes it impossible for me to accept Dispensationalism.

 

There is only a future for those who accept Jesus, like any other person on earth.

 

Exactly so; 'believing Jew and believing Gentile together in Christ.' There never was a future for unbelieving Jews (e.g. Jeremiah 9:25-26).

 

So you are not in Christ's Kingdom?

• John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

Jesus commanded the Church to take His message to all groups and peoples, right?

 

So you are not in Christs's kingdom?

 

I think JoJ point is that right now Jesus is in His High Priestly role, and not that of the King!

 

According to Scripture, Christ is seated at His Father’s side.

He is the “Prince of Peace,” and though all authority is His, He remains beside the Father as the Prince.

When He returns He bears the title, “King of Kings.”

 

Does that book represent the view solidly, or only in part....in other words would you recommend this book?
If I mentioned this book in premill churches would they be comfortable with its contents?