God's Program & Dispensationalism
Introductory notes
A consistent literal/normal, historical, grammatical hermeneutic leads to a classic dispensational understanding of the Scriptures and history. Therefore, dispensationalism is not a system of interpretation, but rather the necessary theological result of a consistently applied biblical hermeneutic.
As God advances His program through history, there are periods of time characterized by unique arrangements and responsibilities between God and man, with promises of blessing and judgment related to man’s faithfulness to God and His revelation. (This does not imply different ways of salvation, as salvation is always by grace through faith alone.)
Distinctives of biblical dispensationalism include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. The God-centeredness of history and the centrality of God’s glory as He works to establish His
kingdom of righteousness.
(Isaiah 42:8; Ephesians 1:3–12; Revelation 11:15)
2. The absolute nature of God’s foreknowledge such that He knows what will actually happen as
well as all possible outcomes.
(Romans 8:28–29)
3. The absolute nature of God’s sovereignty, such that His program cannot be thwarted or altered
by created beings.
(Romans 8:28–29)
4. A consistently literal hermeneutic that recognizes symbolism and figurative language, but only
as it is required by the text.
5. The strict limitation of allegorical interpretation to only that which is explicitly required by the
text.
6. The distinction between Israel and the Church throughout Scripture, with God’s promises to
national Israel remaining in effect, meaning that the Church does not become “spiritual Israel” by
replacing Israel in God’s program.
(2 Samuel 7:8–17; Jeremiah 31:7)
7. The Church Age began on Pentecost and will end with the Rapture.
(Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 1–3)
8. The resurrection of Church-Age saints and the rapture of living born-again believers in Christ to
be with Christ forever, prior to the seven-year Tribulation period.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)
9. The glorious return of Christ to the earth at the end of the Tribulation, prior to His literal millennial
reign over the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem.
(Revelation 19:11–21)
10. Salvation in every dispensation is by God’s grace through faith in Him alone.
(Romans 4:3–4; Ephesians 2:8–9)
A consistent literal/normal, historical, grammatical hermeneutic leads to a classic dispensational understanding of the Scriptures and history. Therefore, dispensationalism is not a system of interpretation, but rather the necessary theological result of a consistently applied biblical hermeneutic.
As God advances His program through history, there are periods of time characterized by unique arrangements and responsibilities between God and man, with promises of blessing and judgment related to man’s faithfulness to God and His revelation. (This does not imply different ways of salvation, as salvation is always by grace through faith alone.)
Distinctives of biblical dispensationalism include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. The God-centeredness of history and the centrality of God’s glory as He works to establish His
kingdom of righteousness.
(Isaiah 42:8; Ephesians 1:3–12; Revelation 11:15)
2. The absolute nature of God’s foreknowledge such that He knows what will actually happen as
well as all possible outcomes.
(Romans 8:28–29)
3. The absolute nature of God’s sovereignty, such that His program cannot be thwarted or altered
by created beings.
(Romans 8:28–29)
4. A consistently literal hermeneutic that recognizes symbolism and figurative language, but only
as it is required by the text.
5. The strict limitation of allegorical interpretation to only that which is explicitly required by the
text.
6. The distinction between Israel and the Church throughout Scripture, with God’s promises to
national Israel remaining in effect, meaning that the Church does not become “spiritual Israel” by
replacing Israel in God’s program.
(2 Samuel 7:8–17; Jeremiah 31:7)
7. The Church Age began on Pentecost and will end with the Rapture.
(Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 1–3)
8. The resurrection of Church-Age saints and the rapture of living born-again believers in Christ to
be with Christ forever, prior to the seven-year Tribulation period.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)
9. The glorious return of Christ to the earth at the end of the Tribulation, prior to His literal millennial
reign over the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem.
(Revelation 19:11–21)
10. Salvation in every dispensation is by God’s grace through faith in Him alone.
(Romans 4:3–4; Ephesians 2:8–9)
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