1. “WRITE THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN, AND THE THINGS WHICH ARE, AND THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS.” REVELATION 1:19 The Revelation: Dispensation of Times

2. Introduction A dispensation in the Bible is a period of time in which God dealt/deals with man a certain way. There are 8 dispensations that are commonly agreed between many Christian scholars.

3. Dispensations

4. ANTEDELUVIAN AGES 2 Before the Flood

5. Age of Innocence Genesis 1 - 2

6. Age of Conscience Genesis 3 - 9 Then the eyes of both of them were opened… Gen 3:7

7. Expelled Genesis 3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

8. Age of Conscience Genesis 3 - 9

9. POSTDELUVIAN AGES 6 After the Flood

10. Age of Human Government Genesis 10-11

11. Age of Promise Genesis 12-50

12. Age of the Law Exodus - Malachi

13. Age of the Grace Matthew – Rev 3

14. Age of the Righteousness

15. Age of Holiness

16. Seven Churches of Asia Minor Revelation 2 - 3 The messages are to be interpreted:  Historically  Pastorally  Practically Application:  Immediate (for them then)  Ongoing (for us now)  For the church in general  For the individual

17. Dispensational Application Each church represents a period of time in church history from the close of Acts to the to the rapture.  Ancient History: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos  Mediaeval History: Thyatira  Modern History: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

18. Dispensational Application

19. Structure of the Letters (Sevenfold pattern) 1. A commission to the messenger of the church. 2. A character description of Christ. 3. A commendation (except for Sardis and Laodicea). 4. A censure (except for Sardis and Philadelphia). 5. A correction with various imperatives. 6. A challenge. 7. A covenant promise: a facet of Christ Himself and is a gift to every member of the body of Christ.

20. Ephesus Commendation:  Rejects evil  Perseveres  Patience Criticism: Love for Christ is no longer fervent Instruction: Do the works you did at first Promise: Tree of Life