RD 101 - LESSON #65 - Some Reflections on Time

by Jack Eberle
    There are a lot of reasons folks will turn to the Scriptures. More often than not, they will “learn” from Scriptures. Even mis-learning will sometimes lead to re-learning and getting it right in the following attempts. There are numerous passages I’d like to talk to you about, but our space confines us. Dr. Bullinger, author of the Companion Bible, comments and information, indicates that proper understanding in the English concerning Ephesians 1:4 should be “casting down” or “overthrow”. Further understanding of the Scriptures must keep your heart open for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:13-14, you find that you have been enrolled in God’s schoolroom with the blessed Holy Spirit teaching you. He not only teaches all the lessons, He is very good at making these lessons of His Holy Word lodge in your heart. In 14, we learn that He is “down payment” of our inheritance, and in 13 we learn that he “seals” us.  Our Lord has power to keep us from Satan’s wiles and safe in His everlasting arms. This sealing is spoken of in Eph. 4:30.
    Notice Verse 10. The most accurate translation of the key word in this verse is “administration”. This is often a better translation than “dispensation”. Our culture and age points to “administration”. Today, the word “dispensation” would be more focused on the idea of “dispensing”, perhaps goods of some sort.
    The word “administration” includes more things or is subject to almost any item which can be moved, used, or counted. Our Lord is certainly not a desultory being, nor is any of the three persons of the Trinity. It would appear, as you learn about the timing of God’s planning and will, you will see how immaculately His plan is and WILL be in effect.
    Further, God’s letter to the Ephesian believers indicates His understanding of their “needs”.  Little is done to fill them in on all the history: no speaking of Satan in the garden, or recaps of the Jewish customs or parables. Did they know these things? You can be certain that Paul, referred to one time as a Pharisee, would fill the gaps of their needed knowledge as he had also spent personal time with them. We know that Paul carried scrolls and other important items with him.  He and those of succeeding tenure would keep the Word in front of His people in Ephesus. The important thing for us to understand is that this six-chapter letter is written to the one body and the church WHO IS His body. There is great truth found in Ephesians about “The Church WHO is His Body”. Paul, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, was sent by the great and loving God to bring to the Church Who is His Body these marvelous truths!