CHAPTER 2:
THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE.
The Greek word for dispensation is “oikonomia” meaning an administration, stewardship, leadership or guardianship. It also refers to a moral period in human history during which God dealt with angels or mankind according to a particular test or responsibility in which God is the proprietor of the administration.
There are nine dispensations in the Bible
The Dispensation of Angels
The Dispensation of Innocence
The Dispensation of conscience
The Dispensation of Human Government
The Dispensation of Promise
The Dispensation of The Law
The Dispensation of Grace
The Dispensation of Divine Government or Millennium age
The Dispensation of the faithful Angels and the Redeemed.
For the sake of our topic in this chapter, I will explain it briefly till the dispensation of grace.
THE DISPENSATION OF ANGELS
This is the period when celestial beings called Angels were given the authority by God to govern the earth and other planets according to God’s commands. This is also known as the “Ante-chaotic” age. This period started from the creation of the Earth to the Chaos – Gen.1:1-2.
In the book of Genesis chapter one and two, the Bible says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (NKJV)
In verse one the heavens (the first, second and third heavens) and the earth were created and of course whatever God created will be nothing but the best. But in verse two, there arose a different story. This beautiful, filled and attractive earth became formless, empty and full of darkness. What happened? This was where the fall of Satan, who was known in heaven as Lucifer came from. When Lucifer rebelled against God through the sin of pride and slander, he was thrown down from heaven to earth which brought about the desolation of the earth in Gen. 1:2. His fell brought in formlessness, emptiness and darkness upon the once beautiful and attractive earth of God. All beings at that time died due to his rebellion. His rebellion made him the opposite of God. Satan was once called the Lucifer meaning ‘son of morning’ i.e. the beauty of the earth but after his fall he became ‘devil’ meaning ‘the evil one’. So his fell made the earth helpless. (For more insights read- Isa. 14:12-14; Ez. 28:11-17; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:7-10)
THE DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE
This is the period when Adam and Eve were created and made till they committed the sin of eating the forbidden fruit. This dispensation is also known as the “Edenic” age. This period started from the creation of man to the fall and expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:3 - 3:24).
THE DISPENSATION OF CONSCIENCE
This is the period when the conscience ruled man. Corruption entered the earth through the seed of Cain. This dispensation is also known as the “Ante-diluvian” age. This period started from expulsion from the Garden of Eden to the flood (Gen. 4:1 - 8:14).
THE DISPENSATION OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT
This is the period when man was ruling the earth and doing what they know best. In this dispensation, the flesh of animals was now permitted for food for the first time and the sacredness of life was made impressive by the institution of capital punishment.
“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Gen.9:3,6)
This dispensation is also known as the “Post-diluvian” age. This period started from the flood to the dispersion of the tower of Babel (Gen. 8:15-11:32).
THE DISPENSATION OF PROMISE
This is the period of God’s promise to father Abraham which says “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” This dispensation is also known as the “Patriarchal” age. This period started from call of Abraham to the Exodus from Egypt (Gen. 12:1- Ex. 12:37).
THE DISPENSATION OF THE LAW
This is the period when the Mosaic Law gained rulership over man till the time of grace. This dispensation is also known as the “Legal” age. This period started from the Exodus to the preaching of John (Ex. 12:38 - Matt. 2:23).
THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
This dispensation is also known as the “Ecclesiastical” age which means the Church age.
What is Grace? Grace means an un-merited favour. It means you need God to run the race of life successfully. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo defines Grace as “God’s Riches At Christ Expense”. Rev. Chris Oyakhilome defines it as “the outward reflection through the inner working.”
We are now in the dispensation of God’s grace and until the church of Jesus Christ comes to this reality we cannot fully benefit from it. We are no more living in the dispensation of the law.
John 1:17 says “For the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”.
This shows us that if you are still living your life through the commandments of the law, you cannot know how efficient grace can be in your life. If the first six dispensations could help man from its helpless state then the seventh will not be needed. But because they could not, Christ came with the ministry of grace to have impact on as many that will believe and accept him to be their Lord and Saviour. It’s high time you stopped being a spiritual thermometer measuring the righteousness of yourself to others.
The Bible says “Our righteousness is like filthy rags before Him… (Isa.64:6)”.
Grace is God’s perfect choice to deliver you from the works of the devil. What is it that you are passing through? Jesus Christ has paid for it. Though Christ was full of grace (Jn.1:14), He needed to die on his cross before it can be released. Therefore you need not to remain in that sickness for Christ has paid for you. It’s time to wake up to the reality that we are now in the dispensation of grace. Take hold on grace and fight the good fight of faith. Have you been beaten by poverty? Take hold on grace and you will come out victoriously. Has your body been beaten by sickness and disease, take hold on grace that Christ has given to you and in no time thee sickness will become history. WE ARE NOW IN THE MINISTRY OF GRACE! When I see some people boasting that all they’ve gotten came by “serious hard-work”, I said to myself this people have not yet known the ministry of grace. Don’t quote me wrong, am not saying that hard work is bad. In fact without hard work you cannot be an achiever. There is no greatness without hard work but hard work without grace is equal to struggles and frustration. IT’S TIME TO RESIGN FROM THE MINISTRY OF WORKS TO THE MINISTRY OF GRACE! Sometimes ago, I used to say “I am what I am by prayers.” I boasted that I could pray but when His grace was opened to me I now know that without grace you will accomplish little. Without grace, you will be disgraced! My brothers and sisters, you need grace. All that you have gotten is by your might but it is time to switch over to grace and you will be amazed at the speed in which you will make progress. Emphatically if hard work only is needed in becoming rich then Africans will be the richest continent in the world and Nigerians will be the richest people in the universe. Poverty is spiritual; so also sin. Therefore you must deal with it from the spirit realm before you can be liberated from it physically.
2 Cor. 8:9 says “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
This shows that until you know the prosperity grace of our Lord Jesus, you cannot walk in it. Most of the time, it is what we don’t know that is killing us. To receive and enjoy God’s Ultimate help for your life, you must first of all recognize, appreciate and take advantage of this dispensation of grace.
Apostle Paul said “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Cor. 15:9). You can see how the grace of God took him from being a sinner to the least of the apostles and from that level, he’s now reckons as one of the greatest apostles till date. God’s grace is for everyone and the more you know it, the greater grace you will operate on.
As ministers of God you need grace in your ministrations. Paul was talking to his bishops and overseers but he reached a time in which he must depart from them. Therefore he left them with this one thing: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)
And now…means what you need now is God’s Grace. Brethren you need grace now! Only the word of his grace can deliver your ultimate help to you now. This is the period of grace and if you will call upon His grace, he will give you. Very soon this dispensation will pass away and the Anti-Christ in bodily form will come to torment people but before then partake in this train of grace moving in your direction. Grace is speaking to you now: “If you will call upon me, I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” Grace is like salt added to foods; it gives taste to once life. No matter how dejected and rejected you are if grace answer for you, you will be celebrated. The word of His grace is coming to you this hour, take advantage of it. When your mouth lack grace, your words won’t be effective. No wonder when you preach people are not convinced. You need grace!
Psalm 45:2 says “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever.”
For you to reign in this life you need the word of His grace in your mouth. Pray this prayer with me:
O LORD, RELEASE THE OIL OF GRACE IN MY LIPS NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel Chapter 17, Goliath, giant from Gath attacked David with a spear and a sword but David came against him in the name of the Lord. When you attack your goliath, it must surely bow before you. But the most important thing that David did was to take a sling and five stones. A sling represented that he had only God as his source. When you say you trust in God as your helper and you are also trusting in man, then you are holding onto two slings. And of course no man kills a bird with two slings at the same time. It’s either he drop one and use the other or he drops the two. God want to be your only source because he is capable of sustaining you. David also had five stones. The number “5” in the bible always represent grace. He used the grace of God and the head of Goliath was given into his hands. Today, I prophesy whatever Goliath that is attacking you in your family, in your finances or in your ministry, I command them to be destroyed in the name of Jesus. The grace of God is lifting you above that predicament. You are coming out of that disgrace. The grace of God is falling upon you now. Receive it in the name of Jesus.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob release grace into your business, family and destiny in the name of Jesus. Whatever obstacle in your life, it shall turn into miracles. Oh you woman, people have called you barren. They’ve said nothing good can come out of your womb. Today, I prophesy children from God to be released into your womb in the name of Jesus. Let that barrenness in your life and family vanish right now. Say this prayer with me if you desire the Lord for children: “O God of Abraham, bless me with children. O God of Isaac and Israel bless me with children right now. Remove this shame from me and I will give the children back to you.” If you believe this confession shout a big amen!
Brethren, wherever you are right now take advantage of this hour of grace. I know in my spirit that a reader is about to enter into great grace. I perceive in my spirit that God wants to exchange your struggles for grace even now.
Let me give you a brief testimony. In April 2009, I went to the Lord in prayer for seven days without food; all I was praying for was “Grace”. On the fifth day the Lord gave me a rhema. He said “My son, if you need grace, call me father.” He also confirmed it through this scripture:
“But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. (Jer.3:19)”
Since then, grace has never failed me. Therefore I decree that in your time of need grace will not fail you!
Acts 4:33 says “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
No grace, no power. Great grace, great power. I want you to begin to declare and decree that you are walking in God’s ever-flowing grace. Declare that great grace is falling upon your family, ministry and in everything you do. Come on, declare and decree grace into your life.
God bless you for reading.
Rev. Emma Innocent (Msc)
+234-7064682872
