Rapture Or Resurrection

The Postcanon Period

From 96 A.D., with the death of the Apostle John, to the present.

The Age of the Church will terminate with the Rapture or -------

resurrection of the Church.  The way of life for Church Age 

believers

 and the doctrines pertinent to this period are found in the New

Testament Epistles---Romans through Revelation, Chapter 3. A

picture of the Church in heaven is described in Revelation,

Chapters 4 and 5.

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of

 power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Tim. 1:7

A Historical Development

The Precanon Period

From the day of Pentecost (about 33 A. D.) The New Testament

was in the process of being written, but was not complete. The 

Book of Acts does not present the doctrines of the Church, but

gives the historical development of the precanon period of the 

Church Age. It declares, historically, how this segment differed

from the postcanon period. For example, precanon activity was

characterized by such temporary spiritual gifts as apostleship,

healing, tongues, miracles, etc. These gifts no longer exist, and

today we have no bona fide apostles, healers, or people speaking 

in tongues.

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Part Of The Timetable

Age of The Church

The third part of the timetable we call Dispensations

is the Church Age. The Scripture covering this period

of time is John, Chapters 14 through 17, the Book of Act

plus the New Testament Epistles, with the exception of

certain parts that deal with the Tribulation, Second Advent

or Millennium. An example of this would be portions of

Revelation, 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 Peter 3. This Age is

divided into two parts: precanon and postcanon .

God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can

bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.

1 Cor. 10:13

Not By The Law

6. Time Span

From Abraham to  the Second Advent. This  Age  is

interrupted by the Church Age  and resumed in the

Tribulation. The Second Advent of Christ not only

terminates the Tribulation but also concludes the Age

of the Jews.

7. Salvation

People were not saved by keeping the Law, but by faith

in Jesus Christ as He was revealed in the Old Testament

(Gen.15:6, Gal.2:16).

8. Spirituality

The  mechanics for confession of sin were given in Leviticus

5:14-19. Spirituality was characterized by the faith--rest life

(Rom. 4: 17--22; Heb.11).

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will

be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Prov. 24:14

His Chosen People

The Second Dispersion

of the Jews of the Southern Kingdom under the fifth

cycle of discipline began at the fall of Jerusalem in

70 A.D., and will continue  until the Second Advent

of Christ. Never forget that God is not through with

the Jews; even though they are under discipline, they

are still His chosen people and they have a glorious

future.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will

make your paths straight.

Prov. 3:5--6

Defeat

The Northern Kingdom

which the Bible refers to as both "Israel" and "Ephraim"

was taken over by the Assyrians in 721 B.C.  The Southern 

Kingdom, known as "Judah", went down in defeat to the 

Chaldean Empire in 586 B. C., during the reign of 

Nebuchadnezzar, and were in captivity for seventy years.

Arise, and shine; for your light has come! 

The glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

Isa. 60:1

Punishment

The Jews

Have experienced this extreme punishment several times, 

and their present scattering is a continuation of the disciplinary

dispersion of 70 A. D. During the period of the Judges, the

nation of Israel was under severe discipline, but this was the fourth

 cycle as only part of the people were removed from the Land.

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for

He is right beside me.

Ps. 16:8