Another fruitful cause of misunderstanding is forgetfulness or ignorance of the fact that this present dispensation

is `the dispensation of the mystery (or secret) which had been hidden away from all ages and generations by God'

(Eph. 3:9 Author's translation).

The Lord Jesus, at the commencement of His ministry as recorded in Luke 4:16-20, shows very clearly the

principle which we seek to emphasize. Entering the synagogue at Nazareth, He stood up and read Isaiah 61:1,2.

The point to be noticed, however, is that the Lord did not complete the second verse. Immediately upon reading the

words, `the acceptable year of the Lord', He closed the Book. Why did the Lord stop just at this point? Why did He

not read on to the end of the verse? The reason is that the next words belong to a yet future dispensation. The Lord

was about to make an important statement. His words were: `This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears'. This

could not have been said if He had read on and included the words, `the day of vengeance of our God'. The day of

vengeance will not be ushered in until the Lord Jesus steps forward and opens another book, as recorded in

Revelation 5 and 6.

The present dispensation a parenthesis.

So far as dispensational truth is concerned, we have to remember the `closed book', and to see that this present

dispensation comes in between the `acceptable year of the Lord', and the `day of vengeance of our God'. The Lord

seems to have given a hint of an impending change in the words which He spoke to the people after the incident

cited above. He emphasized the fact that although there were many widows and many lepers in Israel, yet it was a

Gentile leper, and a Gentile widow that were blessed, as recorded in the Scriptures. The `gap' and the emphasis

upon Gentile blessing come together in this chapter in a way that demands careful consideration. So also with other

prophets who wrote beforehand of `the sufferings of Christ, and the glory which should follow' (1 Pet. 1:10,11). So

far as we can tell from their writings, there was nothing to guide them as to whether days or centuries would come

between the `sufferings' and the `glory'.

Israel, the key to dispensational truth.

Starting from the call of Abraham in Genesis 12, the history of one people occupies the whole of the Old

Testament. This fact needs no detailed proof, for it is recognised by all who know the Scriptures. It is not so clearly

seen, however, even by students of the Word, that the presence or absence of the people of Israel is a sign of

dispensational importance, or that the place where Israel pass off the scene, and where the dispensation changes, is

neither at the commencement of the New Testament, the beginning or middle of the Acts, but after the conference

that Paul had with leaders of the Jews at Rome as recorded in Acts 28.

Israel, and the earthly ministry of the Lord.

The reader of the `Gospels' is acquainted at every turn with the fact that the Lord Jesus `Came to His own'. His

genealogy is given so that it may be known that He was the Seed of David and of Abraham (Matt. 1). Wise men

enquire where He should be born that is `King of the Jews', and they are directed to the royal city of Bethlehem

(Matt. 2). The Lord limits the ministry of the Twelve to the `Lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Matt. 10:6), which

limitation He announced was true of His own ministry at the time (Matt. 15:24). Many prepared to go so far with

us, part company at the opening of the Acts, for the tradition that `The church began at Pentecost' seems as ingrained

as the tradition of the Elders, and as certainly prevents those who entertain it to appreciate the truth for the time now

Israel, and its place in the Acts.

The hope of Israel meets us in the first chapter of the Acts, and awaits us in the last chapter. After being

instructed by the risen Christ out of the Scriptures, the apostles' one question, when the opportunity presented itself,

`Wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6).

Neither the apostles' question or the Lord's answer can be construed into anything to do with the `Church'. But,

says one, the next chapter does speak of the formation of the Church on the day of Pentecost. Let us `search and