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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)

God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)

March 2014 - March 2021

This series an is update from Dr. Dean's Dispensations and Covenants (2000) series, now including video and graphics.

The one doctrine that has opened up the Scriptures to the largest number of people is the doctrine of dispensations. Many people have indicated that when they heard the doctrine of dispensations, God's plan for the ages, everything in the Bible began to make sense.

Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.

Dr, Dean has put together a suggested reading list on Dispensationalism. Click here to download the document.

To view all video Bible studies in the God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

To listen to all current classes as a podcast, copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software.
www.deanbibleministries.org/podcasts/godsplanfortheages.xml		  
17 - The Church Age - Distinctives: Spiritual Life 1 [B]
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Acts 2
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 56 mins 17 secs
What a triumphant turn of events happened soon after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. No more bothering with animal sacrifices. Ditch the dietary laws and enjoy some ham and bacon. But much better, enjoy all the benefits of God's amazing grace. Listen to this lesson to learn about the dramatic changes that characterize the present time called the Church Age. Grasp the importance of the baptism, indwelling, and filling of the Holy Spirit. Embrace the necessity of walking by means of the Spirit for spiritual growth. Marvel at the much anticipated Rapture when all Church Age believers will receive their resurrection bodies.
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16 - Old Testament Quotes in the New Testament [B]
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Matthew 2
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 10 secs
Get ready to tackle important principles that show how Old Testament scriptures are interpreted in the New Testament. Build on last week's lesson to review two methods of interpretation and continue on to two more methods. Find out that the authors had a single intent when they wrote scriptures and how the Holy Spirit applied these in a fuller sense in the New Testament. Learn that there's no such thing as a partial fulfillment of the scriptures. See the difference between typology and application. As you drill down in these areas, allow this understanding to increase your confidence in the inspiration of scripture.

For additional information on Midrash/Pesher and Hermeneutics, please see Arnold Fruchtenbaum's paper from the 2009 Chafer Conference.

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15 - Did the New Testament Writers Misuse Old Testament Scriptures? [B]
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Acts 2 & Joel 2
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 57 secs

Bible interpretation is a subject that fills thousands of books and libraries around the world. One area is the subject of whether the writers of the New Testament shed clarification when they quoted Old Testament scriptures. Listen to this lesson to learn that there are four main schools of interpretation. Hear examples in the New Testament where two of these are illustrated. Learn about major scholars in this field and how you can delve into this subject more fully. Appreciate the many ways the scriptures teach patterns and types about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For additional information on Midrash/Pesher and Hermeneutics, please see Arnold Fruchtenbaum's paper from the 2009 Chafer Conference.

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14 - The Messianic Dispensation [B]
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
by Robert Dean
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 48 secs
"Come quickly. Jesus of Nazareth is in town." If you had lived when Jesus was alive on this earth, would you have dropped everything and hurried to hear Him declare He was the Son of God? Or would you have just shrugged Him off as another off-beat preacher? Listen to this lesson to learn that the three and a half years of Jesus' earthly ministry were different from any other period in human history. Learn why this event is a distinct dispensation and how Jesus demonstrated His divinity as He performed the miracles that established His Messiahship.
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13 - The New Covenant - Part 2 [B]
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 0 mins 38 secs
Many Christians today talk as if they're living during the time of the New Covenant. Listen to this lesson to see what the Scriptures have to say about this. See what it means when it says believers are the ministers of the New Covenant. Get a glimpse into Covenant theology's teaching that the Church is the new Israel and how this belief has led to anti-Semitism. Accept that a literal interpretation of Scripture shows that the New Covenant is with the House of Israel and the House of Judah and will not be in effect until the return of Christ at the Second Coming.
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12 - The New Covenant [B]
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 24 secs
"Extra! Extra! Read all about it! God has made a New Covenant". This was the prophet Jeremiah's announcement. Who is the New Covenant with? Does it include Christians today? Listen to this lesson to explore the many Old Testament scriptures talking about a future New Covenant. Trace its history from the first mention of it down through the ages. Find out what it will be like and who it will include. See how the recipients will not need to study the Bible because they will have all knowledge. Find out how their suffering will prepare them for universal obedience. Believe that this covenant will be the fulfillment of the promises God has made to Israel and rest in the assurance that God always fulfills His promises.
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11 - The Land Covenant, The Davidic Covenant [B]
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
by Robert Dean
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 52 secs
If you want to know the future, don't bother looking in a crystal ball. Instead turn to God's Word where He has laid out His plan for the ages. Listen to this lesson to learn about two of the unilateral covenants God has made with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand the significant facets of the Land Covenant and that there are promises and rewards for obedience and punishment for disobedience. See how it will be fulfilled in its entirety at the Second Coming of Christ. Move on to the Davidic Covenant which reveals who will govern the land God has promised. Learn the identity of David's descendant who will reign forever. Experience a deeper level of faith as you accept that what God has promised He will fulfill.
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10 - The Age of Israel: Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant [B]
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
by Robert Dean
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 1 hr 11 mins 5 secs
What do pomegranates on the hems of Jewish High Priests' robes have in common with the Mosaic Law? Listen to this lesson to learn about the 613 laws given to Moses and the Israelites who had been redeemed from slavery in Egypt. Find out the purposes of the Mosaic Law and how it clarified sin and showed the people their need for a Savior. See why the Mosaic Law is not still in effect today. Learn about the warnings God gave the Israelites of five cycles of discipline if they disobeyed as a nation and see how these horrific consequences have played out in history.
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9 - The Age of Israel: Patriarchs and Law [B]
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Genesis 12-17
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 52 mins 10 secs

From the shadowy pages of ancient history comes a man from a family of moon worshipers who believed in the one true God. Listen to this lesson to learn how God made a covenant with him that promised him a specific land, many descendants, and that he would be a blessing to all peoples. See how Abraham never owned the land during his lifetime but that this unconditional, irreversible promise will be fulfilled in the future. Realize that when you see the Jewish nation today it reveals how God is still working out His plans to bless mankind through Abraham.

Please note that the beginning of this video is incorrectly labeled as Lesson #8.

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8 - Conscience to Abrahamic Covenant [B]
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
by Robert Dean
Passage: Genesis 3-12
Series: God's Plan for the Ages - Dispensations (2014)
Duration: 56 mins 22 secs
Powerful angelic beings seducing beautiful women resulting in half-human/half-angel offspring. Sound like a hair-raising, page-turning fantasy novel? Listen to this lesson to learn the original true account of this episode in the angelic conflict and how it led to the devastating flood in Noah's day. Learn about God's covenant with Noah and its six premises, including the death penalty and human government. See how once again mankind failed resulting in the Tower of Babel. Realize that although man fails, God remains faithful.
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