FIFTH DISPENSATION | STUDY (4)

1. Bible History 

a) In this panoramic Bible Story, we present the important events, and gradual development of Bible History, keeping in view, throughout,  the spiritual purpose of divine revelation.

b) It exhibits a part at a time, by being unrolled before the viewer. An unobstructed or complete view in every direction; hence a comprehensive presentation to aid viewer with a better understanding of Bible History.

c) It follows the stream of the Bible narrative, so as to aid viewer in visualizing and grasping the great truths of Bible History.

2. The Fifth Dispensation of Law

- From the Beginning of the New Testament to the Crucifixion

(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts 1:1-11)

a) In the opening pages of the New Testament God had announced to a Jewish maiden, named Mary, that she should bring forth a son in her virginity, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah "a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel," (meaning God with us).

b) In the reign of Caesar Augustus a decree was issued requiring the people to enroll in their own cities for taxation. This decree brought Joseph with Mary, now his espoused wife, to Bethlehem, the city of their fathers. It was here that Jesus was born, and laid in a manger, for we are told "there was no room in the inn."

c) Very little is recorded of the first thirty years of the life of Jesus, until about the age of thirty when he presented himself to John for baptism. John had declared the coming of one whose shoes latchet he was not worthy to unloose. The opening heavens, the descending spirit, and the voice of God the Father, left no doubt in the mind of John that this was the Messiah whom he was born to herald, as the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." Shortly after His baptism, being full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was tempted by the Devil, who tried in vain to turn Him from the path of consecration to His Father's will.

d) The beginning of Christ's ministry, after His return from the temptation, was marked by the performance of His first miracle. The turning of water into wine at Cana. This demonstration of deity was followed by the healing of the sick, the calling of His disciples, teaching the multitudes, His parables and discourses, His demonstration of power over nature, over demons, and death. The Son of Man had now all but finished the work given Him by the Father to accomplish. He had shown Himself a spotless example as very man, He had reflected the image of the invisible God, He had fulfilled the prophecies concerning the ministry of the "Servant of Jehovah." It remained now for Him to settle the sin question, and to conquer death, and thus complete the work of redemption.

e) The night before His supreme sacrifice, He was betrayed, and "delivered into the hands of sinners", while His fearful disciples fled. The Sanhedrin, with the chief priests and scribes found Him guilty of a capital offense, but having no power to inflict death, they led Him to Pilate, the Roman Procurator. Discovering that He was a Galilean, Pilate sent Him to Herod, who after examining Him sent Him to the evasive Pilate. After being challenged by the threatening multitude as to His loyalty to Caesar, Pilate no longer had courage to resist, and after ordering Jesus to be scourged, delivered Him to be  crucified. Thus the prophecy "as Moses lifted up the serpent... so must the Son of Man be lifted up", and of the paschal lamb "a bone of him shall not be broken", was fulfilled. Had he Jewish mode of death by stoning been accomplished, these prophecies could not have had their fulfillment. After six hours of humiliation and intense suffering "the Prince of Life" cried with a loud triumphant voice "it is finished", and yielded up the ghost.

f) Having "tasted death for every man", on the third day God sent an angel to roll back the stone of the sepulchre where Jesus was laid, and revealed the Empty Tomb, while the risen Christ showed Himself to Mary Magdalene, and His disheartened disciples. During the forty days between the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord, He taught His disciples concerning the Kingdom, and gave them the great commission to go and teach all nations. When He was ready to depart He led them out to the Mount of Olives, and after giving them the promise of power to witness after the Holy Ghost should come upon them, He ascended into heaven, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

g) The Dispensation of Law ended in judgment of sin, on the cross of Calvary.