The Secret of the Lord and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Based on Scott Mitchell's Bible Study Lesson The Secret of the Lord Part 7 – The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Understanding God’s plan for His people requires more than gathering familiar

passages and applying them broadly. Scripture must be rightly divided. When the gospel of the kingdom is merged with the gospel of the grace of God, confusion fills the Church, opening the door for deception and instability. The Word warns that unlearned voices would rise to mislead, drawing many away from sound doctrine. Yet the Lord continues to reveal His mysteries to those who fear Him and walk in covenant through Jesus Christ.

This message considers the dispensation of the fullness of times, showing the difference between Israel’s earthly kingdom and the blessed hope of the Body of Christ—and how all things in heaven and earth will ultimately be gathered in Christ.

The Secret of the Lord and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Psalm 25:14 declares, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.” God has not hidden truth from His people; He has hidden it for them. When believers fail to rightly divide the Scriptures, the result is instability—being “tossed to and fro” by every wind of doctrine. Paul warned that grievous wolves would enter in, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:28–31).

The Lord’s secret involves a distinction that many ignore: Israel’s promised kingdom is not the same as the Body of Christ’s heavenly calling. Blending these programs distorts both. The gospel of the kingdom concerns Israel’s restoration under Messiah. The gospel of grace concerns the formation of the one Body composed of Jew and Gentile alike. Each stands in its place within God’s design, ultimately converging in the dispensation of the fullness of times (Ephesians 1:9–11).

One Shepherd, Two Folds, and the Unity of the Body

Understanding the Two Folds in Light of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

In John 10, the Lord Jesus identifies two folds of sheep. One fold belonged to Israel—the lost sheep to whom He was sent (Matthew 15:24). But He also spoke of “other sheep” not of that fold, who would hear His voice and become part of one flock.

Paul later unveils this mystery: Gentiles are fellow heirs and of the same body (Ephesians 3:3–6). The ancient wall that separated Jew and Gentile has been removed (Ephesians 2:14–18). The result is one church with two origins but one Head—Christ, who is above all principality and power (Colossians 1:16–18).

Yet unity in Christ does not erase distinctions in inheritance. Israel awaits the earthly kingdom promised by the prophets. The Body of Christ awaits a heavenly hope, looking for the appearing of the Lord rather than the establishment of an earthly throne.

Both are essential parts of God’s final purpose, which culminates in the dispensation of the fullness of times, when all things in heaven and earth are gathered together in Him.

The Coming Kingdom and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Israel’s Promised Kingdom

When the Son of Man sits upon His throne, He will gather the nations and establish His rule over Israel and the earth (Matthew 25:31–34). This kingdom fulfills the promises given to the fathers. It is distinct from the church’s hope and should never be confused with it.

The Hope of the Body of Christ

Believers today are not waiting for a kingdom; they are waiting for a call. The blessed hope is the catching away of the church, when the Lord gathers His Body to Himself. This event precedes Israel’s restoration and prepares the way for God’s final work.

Both programs—Israel’s kingdom and the church’s heavenly calling—move toward a single point in God’s timetable: the dispensation of the fullness of times, when the Lord unites all kid redeemed people in one eternal order.

New Jerusalem and the Ultimate Gathering of All Things

The Bride, the City, and Eternal Union

Revelation describes a new heaven, a new earth, and the holy city New Jerusalem coming down from God (Revelation 21:1–4, 9–11). This city is presented as a bride, the eternal dwelling place of God with His people.

Here, in the final administration of God’s purpose, the distinctions between Jew and Gentile exist only within the context of fulfilled promise, not separation. Galatians 4:26–28 and Ephesians 2:19–22 show that all who belong to Christ share in that heavenly citizenship.

Everything converges in Him. This is the great crescendo of Scripture: “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).

Faithful Stewardship in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Scripture calls believers “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). The Greek term for steward (oikonomos) is closely related to the term for dispensation (oikonomia). To reject dispensational truth is to reject the very framework God has given to understand His Word. A faithful steward acknowledges the order and timing of God’s dealings with mankind.

Confusion dissolves when Scripture is compared with Scripture and the distinct ministries of the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace are recognized. God’s plan is not fragmented—it is unified, purposeful, and glorious.

A Call to Faith Before the Dispensation of Grace Closes

The gospel of grace stands open today, but it will not remain open indefinitely. Christ is coming for His Body. The signs of departure from the faith only confirm the lateness of the hour.

Every person must decide whether to trust in Jesus Christ alone—His blood, His resurrection, His finished work. Salvation is not found in covenants, rituals, or religious systems. It is found in Christ and Christ alone.

When the Lord gathers His church and the day of grace ends, the world will enter prophetic events swiftly. Those who belong to Christ will not face that hour.

Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation.

Conclusion: Standing Firm in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

The Lord has not left His people in the dark. His secret is made known through His Word, revealed by His Spirit, and confirmed in the unity of all Scripture.

Understanding the distinctions between Israel’s kingdom and the church’s heavenly calling allows believers to see the brilliance of God’s design. Everything moves toward Christ, and everything will be gathered in Him in the dispensation of the fullness of times.

Until that day, we walk as faithful stewards—anchored in truth, grounded in Scripture, and looking for the appearing of our blessed Savior.