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7 dispensations, part 4
pastor corner

Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

The Second Dispensation was known as that of Conscience, and as pointed out in the previous lesson, was an abject failure. Man became so wicked that God decided to destroy life on this planet. He did so by means of “The Flood.”

However, as God looked upon human life before judgment was implemented, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8).

Thus, God decided to spare him.

Noah’s wife, their three sons and their wives, believed the preaching of this godly man and escaped the destruction of the world by boarding the ark with Noah. The flood lasted 1 year and 10 days. For seven months Noah waited and watched as the rain fell, then waited another 5 months and 10 days after landing on Mount Ararat before receiving instructions to leave the ark. He immediately proceeded to offer a sacrifice to God who then promised that He would never again destroy the earth by flood.

Following the flood, trying to re-establish life was a real challenge. Thus begins the Dispensation of Human Government. In Genesis 9:1-7 we find God giving authority to man to take control of the earth.

The human race now had a new beginning and was charged by God to enforce His rules. For example, man was given the authority and responsibility to shed the blood of people who shed the blood of others. The same rule was enforced upon animals. The important concept is that of Human Government ruling over God’s creation.

Noah’s family was also charged to replenish the earth. They were to “bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein” (Gen.9:8). By the three sons of Noah “the whole earth was overspread” (Gen.9:19). There is a tragic story of the cursing of one family unit recounted in Gen. 9:20-27. From this lineage came a man known as Nimrod. He is presented as a ruler or king, but also a powerful man of influence who dominated others and enforced his will upon them.

This man seemed to be the leader who encouraged the building of the Tower of Babel to keep people together as opposed to what God wanted to occur, the spreading out and developing of the land.

Nimrod foreshadowed the coming Anti-Christ who seeks power and influence, refuting and denying the will of the Father.

The confusion of languages occurred here and the human experience changed forever. Unfortunately, this Dispensation ends as the previous two. Complete Failure!

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