El Olam - Eternal God

Introduction

We now move to the next name of God listed on our chart next to “Elohim.” You might recall how each of these names are derivatives of God’s name known as “El.” “El,” as we already know, speaks to God’s power or might. Thus, we have learned of “El Shaddai” and “El Elyon.”

His name “El Shaddai” reminds us that God is Mighty or Powerful in Pouring Out His Blessings and His Judgments.

His name “El Elyon” reminds us that God is the HIGHEST of all Beings and, through His Son, is HIGH PRIEST of all who Believe.

Now, we move to the next name under “Elohim” which is “El Olam.”

However, before we dive into this study, I must undertake a fundamental teaching concerning the interpretation of Scripture. In particular, I must demonstrate for you using Scripture how God has revealed and dealt with men down through the ages. This is known as “The Dispensations of God.”

DISPENSATIONS OF GOD

Throughout human history, God has dealt with men through what is called or known as “dispensations.” In a nutshell, God a differing times has given men and women certain responsibilities or duties. Understanding these dispensations helps gain insight about God’s will for me and for us who are saved. For our consideration of God’s names, it also provides us pertinent information about His name “El Olam.”

DISPENSATION DEFINED

The word “dispensation” is taken from a New Testament Greek word that means “a house rule.”

It is used in Scripture to mean the “management” of a household. Let me give you an example.

Luke 16:1–4 KJV 1900

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Note that the word “stewardship” is, in the Greek, the word for “dispensation.” Thus, we understand that this servant was given management of this rich man’s household. He was to manage all of the rich man’s affairs. Unfortunately, he was poor manager and the point of this story. However, for our discussion, I just wanted to point out how “dispensation” simply means a stewardship or management.

In several other New Testament passages, we have some different uses that give us further insight to the word “dispensation.”

1 Corinthians 9:17 KJV 1900

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

Ephesians 3:9 KJV 1900

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Each of these verses use the same Greek word for “dispensation” or “stewardship.” 1 Corinthians 9:7 translates it as “dispensation.” Ephesians 3:9 translates is as “fellowship.” 1 Timothy 1:5 uses the word “edifying.”

Using these terms as a guide, we find that a dispensation as it relates to God are those duties that He assigns to mankind or to certain people for a period of time, for which they are accountable to Him. (Barackman)

The emphasis is not on the periods of time even though they are important, but rather on the duties God imposes upon its recipients. For that reason, priority is always given to those duties, and especially in this period of time, our responsibility to obey those duties. Each dispensation, except for the first, gives us clear insight to God’s will for His people at the time they are given and how He holds them accountable.

A DISPENSATIONALIST then is one who recognizes the Biblical divine dispensations and the people to whom they are given.

DISPENSATIONALISM is the interpretation and application of Scripture that recognizes the various dispensations and their features, the people to whom each dispensation is given, and the portion of the Bible that relates to the dispensation and its recipients.

Let me explain further by giving you the different dispensations seen in Scripture.

DISPENSATIONS DEMONSTRATED

There are seven notable dispensations in Scripture. They are as follows.

The Dispensation of Created Mankind (Genesis 1:28-29; 2:15-17)

Recipients

Adam and Eve

Duties

To be fruitful and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28)

To subdue the earth and have dominion over all lower forms of life (Genesis 1:28)

To eat of the garden (namely vegetables, grain, and fruit) (Genesis 1:29)

To dress the garden and keep it (Genesis 2:15)

NOT to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree (Genesis 2:18)

Duration

From the creation of Adam and Eve until their fall and subsequent Divine judgment

The Dispensation of Fallen Mankind (Genesis 3:16-4:7)

Recipients

Adam, Eve, and their posterity.

Duties

To work for a living using the Divinely cursed ground (Genesis 3:17-19)

To approach God by means of an animal sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-5)

To do well (Genesis 4:6-7)

Duration

From Adam and Eve’s fall to the end of the Noah’s Flood (Genesis 3:16-8:22) which is approximately 1,657 years.

The Dispensation of Governed Mankind (Genesis 9:1-7)

Recipients

Noah, his three sons, their wives, and their posterity (Genesis 9:1, 18)

Duties

To reproduce and fill the earth (Genesis 9:1)

To have dominion over all lower life forms (Genesis 9:2)

To eat animal flesh in addition to a vegetarian diet (Genesis 9:3-4)

To exercise capital punishment (Genesis 9:5-6)

Duration

Most of this is universal in its extent and had not been annulled. Thus this dispensation is still continues especially for those people who do not have the New Testament which presents us with the Dispensation of Grace. You must remember that “faith coming by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Therefore, those who have yet to hear the gospel are essentially still living under this dispensation. For them to be saved, those who live under this dispensation must hear and believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus. Yet, at the same time, God does provide them with an opportunity to respond favorably to His general revelation through nature (Acts 10; Romans 1:19-20). This third dispensation will continue for those who do not hear the gospel or have the New Testament until the Lord Jesus returns to earth, overthrows the present world, and establishes His millennial earthly kingdom, with its own dispensation (Isaiah 2:1-3; see also Acts 15:20; Romans 13:1-7).

The Dispensation of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12:1; 17:1; 26:5; 31:3, 13; 35:1; 46:1-4)

Recipients

Throughout the period of His dealing with the patriarchs, God gave direction to Abraham (Genesis 12:1), Isaac (Genesis 26:1-3), and Jacob (Genesis 31:11-13). Also, Jacob’s posterity was to keep in touch with the Lord and obey Him, since He promised to be with them and make of them a great nation (Genesis 46:3-4). They were God’s people (Exodus 3:7, 10).

Duties

To leave Ur and got to a land to which God would lead them (Genesis 12:1; 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7; Acts 7:2-3)

To walk before God and be perfect (Genesis 17:1)

To obey the Lord’s commands (Genesis 18:19; 26:5)

Duration

This dispensation extended from the call of Abram to leave Ur (Genesis 12:1) until Israel’s reception of the Mosaic Law at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:8).

The Dispensation of the Mosiac Law (Exodus 20:1-7; 21:1-23:19; Leviticus 1-27; Numbers 5-6; 9-10; 15; 18-19; 27-30)

Recipients

This was only to the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:3; Nehemiah 9:13-14; Psalm 147:19-20)

Duties

The law given at Mt. Sinai, consisting of moral laws (Exodus 20:1-7), civil laws (Exodus 21:1-23:13), and religious laws (Exodus 23:14-19; Leviticus 1-27).

There were additional regulations as noted in Numbers 5-6, 9-10, 15, 18-19, and Numbers 27-30.

Duration

While the Mosaic Law as a covenant ceased with Jesus’ death (Hebrews 10:9, 16; 12:24), the law has continued as a dispensation from its reception at Mt. Sinai until now for those who assume its obligations. 1 Corinthians 9:20 and Galatians 4:4-5 along with Galatians 5:3 teaches that the Jews are still under the Law. However, the commands of the Mosaic Law, except the moral requirements, are no longer binding on those Jews who have been born again and have become recipients of the Dispensation of Grace.

To be a saved person and to assume the duties of the Mosaic Law is to fall from grace, with its liberty and requirements, and to place oneself under the principle of law-works (Galatians 5:3-4). One cannot be saved by grace and live a life pleasing to God by the works of self-effort. The grace of God that saved us is also available through faith to enable us to live godly lives (John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 12:7-10; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13).

The Dispensation of Grace (John 1:17; Matthew 28:19-20; Titus 2:11-13)

Recipients

These are unsaved people of accountable age and all saved people (Titus 2:11-12). All who hear the gospel have the duty of obeying it. All saved people who have the New Testament have the duty of obeying its commands that relate to Christian life and ministry.

Duties

The duty of unsaved people, who hear the gospel, is to obey it (Titus 2:11; Acts 17:30; 20:21; Romans 1:5; 16:25-26; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 3:23)

The duty of saved people is to follow the teachings of God’s grace (Matthew 28:20)

Duration

Since there does not seem to be any special dispensation for the Tribulation, the Dispensation of Grace extends from Christ’s Ascension unto Christ’s Second Coming to earth (Revelation 19) at the end of the Tribulation. The Dispensation of Grace is in force throughout the local church age as well as the Tribulation.

The Dispensation of Christ’s Earthly Rule (Isaiah 2:1-3)

Recipients

These will all those people who are on earth during the Lord’s millennial rule (Psalm 72:8-11; Isaiah 2:1-4; Zechariah 14:9, 16-17).

Duties

That all people do the will of the King regarding their civilian lives (Isaiah 2:1-3)

That unsaved people believe the gospel (Joel 2:32)

That saved people follow the Lord’s will for their spiritual lives

Duration

The Lord’s earthly kingdom will continue for one thousand years after His Second Coming to earth (Revelation 20:1-7). Following His millennial rule, there will be the dissolution of the present universe (2 Peter 3:10-13) and the judgment of the unsaved (Revelation 20:11-15). After these events, the Lord Jesus’ earthly kingdom will merge with the universal kingdom of the Father and will continue forever (Revelation 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Luke 1:32-33). As man and Messiah, the Lord Jesus will always be subject to the Father’s authority and will serve Him (1 Corinthians 15:28; John 6:38; 8:29).