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Classical Dispensation (Darby’s Model of Dispensation)
Meaning
Classical dispensation was first proposed by Darby in 1880. It is the understanding that as we look at God’s plan of redemption for mankind, God reveals more of Himself and His plan of redemption as we move through scripture. And that each new dispensation adds to the previous one, or to put it another way. Each new dispensation better clarifies the previous dispensation, while revealing more of God’s plan of redemption. And all in all there are seven dispensations which cover redemptive history. In addition, Darby clarifies that scripturally each new revelation was followed by a test, disobedience, judgment and God’s restoration. With the final restoration being salvation through Christ Jesus and the glorification of all believers at the end of the age.
These seven dispensations or progressions in God’s redemptive history include innocence, conscience (i.e. The Fall), human government, the promises of God, the Law, grace and the millennium. More important classical dispensation recognizes God has two distinct plans for Israel and the church. Both having salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord and both being separate and distinct from one another. And each having specific promises made to each of them, which together find their fulfillment in Christ. It’s also important to point out that classical dispensation is the natural progression seen in the literal interpretation of scripture. In other words the Bible is taken as God’s literal word and not as a metaphorical, philosophical discussion of good verses evil.
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” (Book of Ephesians 3:1-6)
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (Book of 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17)