Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Dispensations

Eph. 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

The 1st New Testament prophecy in Ephesians (Eph. 1:10, unfulfilled). Next, Eph. 1:14. This will be fulfilled in the Millennium when all enemies will be put down and all creation will be united in one—as it was before Lucifer’s and Adam’s rebellion (1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15; 21:1-22:5).

That in...

εἰς

eis

ice

A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.: - [abundant-] ly, against, among, as, at, [back-] ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for [intent, purpose], fore, + forth, in (among, at unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-) on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore (-unto), throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-) until (-to), . . . ward, [where-] fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively.

Dispensations

Five dispensations named in Scripture:

1. Dispensation or administration of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9)

2. Dispensation of the gospel (1Cor. 9:17), which is Paul’s administration of the gospel of grace

3. The dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2); the same as pt. 2

4. The dispensation of God (Col. 1:25—God’s own administration of grace given to Paul; the same as pt. 2

5. The dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God gathers together all things in heaven and in earth in Christ ridding the earth of all rebellion (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15)

the dispensation...

οἰκονομία

oikonomia

oy-kon-om-ee'-ah

From overseer; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy”: - dispensation, stewardship.

of the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

This refers to the completion of probationary times on the earth. Christ will come to reign in the seventh and last dispensation (or probationary period) of man on earth for the purpose of ridding the earth of all rebellion and restoring God’s administration over this rebellious part of His kingdom, as before rebellion started (1Cor. 15:24-28).

fulness...

πλήρωμα

plērōma

play'-ro-mah

From make replete; repletion or completion, that is, (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period): - which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness.

of times...

καιρός

kairos

kahee-ros'

Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, that is, set or proper time: - X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.

He (Christ) might gather together in one...

ἀνακεφαλαίομαι

anakephalaiomai

an-ak-ef-al-ah'ee-om-ahee

From up and strike on the head (in its original sense); to sum up: - briefly comprehend, gather together in one.

all things...

πᾶς

pas

pas

Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

in...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and origin); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

Christ,...

Χριστός

Christos

khris-tos'

From to smear or rub with oil; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.

both...

τε

te

teh

A primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly as a correlation of and, also, even): - also, and, both, even, then whether. Often used in compounds, usually as the latter part.

which... see of the above.

are in... see in above.

heaven,...

οὐρανός

ouranos

oo-ran-os'

Perhaps from the same as to rise or rear (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity): - air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.

and...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

which... see of the above.

are on...

ἐπί

epi

ep-ee'

A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.: - about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of) over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

earth;...

γῆ

gē

ghay

Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrine globe (including the occupants in each application): - country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.

even in... see in above.

Him (Christ):...

αὐτός

autos

ow-tos'

From the particle αὖ au (perhaps akin to the base of respire through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of him) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons: - her, it (-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, ([self-], the) same, ([him-, my-, thy-]) self, [your-] selves, she, that, their (-s), them ([-selves]), there [-at, -by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with], they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.

God’s grace is given to enable believers to understand His will. God gives them wisdom (sophia; cf. Eph. 1:17; 3:10; Col. 1:9, 1:28; 2:3, 2:23; 3:16; 4:5), objective insight into the true nature of God’s revelation, and understanding (phronēsei), the subjective apprehension of it. So believers are able to grasp something of the divine purpose of the ages and to see its relevance in the present time. This is accomplished because God made known to us the mystery of His will (cf. “will” in Eph. Eph. 1:1, 1:5, 1:11). “Mystery” is a previously hidden truth unveiled by God’s revelation (cf. Rom. 16:25; see Mat. 13:11 for a list of “mysteries” in the NT). This mystery (unveiled truth) is God’s good pleasure (cf. Eph. 1:5) to purpose in Christ to bring all things in heaven and on earth under His headship in the consummation of time. The words to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment are literally, “unto the dispensation of the fullness of the times.” The “dispensation” (oikonomia) is an arrangement or administration. This dispensation is the millennial kingdom when “the times” in God’s purposes will be completed (fulfilled), and all things both spiritual and material will be under Christ and His rule (cf. 1Cor. 15:27; Col. 1:20).

The words “bring all things… together under one Head” translate one Greek word (which occurs elsewhere in the NT only in Rom. 13:9), to speak of summing up all the commandments under love. In the Millennium everything will be restored and brought together under Christ, the one Head. This does not suggest that everyone will be saved; instead, sin’s disorder will be removed and universal peace will be established (Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-10).