THREE SYSTEMS OF DIVINE GOVERNMENT
Introduction1. There are three systems of divine government.
A. The teachings of the Law of Moses.
B. The teachings of Grace.
C. The teachings of the Kingdom.
2. The following are true about these three systems:
A. They are essentially separate from one another.
B. Each system is wholly complete and sufficient in itself.
C. Each system is in no wise exchangeable for either of the others.
D. The systems cannot be co-mingled.
E. Bible truth is not limited to these three systems of divine government.
Essential Character of the Three Systems
1. The Teachings of the Law of Moses.
A. Revealed by God and accepted by Israel at Sinai.
B. Were at no time addressed to the nations of the world.
C. Do not apply to men in all ages.
D. A peculiar form of government for a peculiar people.
E. Accomplished the peculiar purpose of condemning man and leading him to Christ.
F. Its full detail is revealed in the writings of Moses.
G. The New Testament and the Law of Moses:
1. The N.T. doctrinal teachings shed additional light on the character and purpose of the Law of Moses.
2. Holds the Law in contrast to the teachings of Grace.
3. Represents the Law as having passed out of force through the death of Christ.
4. The Law is in no instance treated as being directly in force.
H. The Law of Moses was complete in itself.
I. It was sufficient to regulate the conduct of an Israelite under every circumstance that might arise.
J. No other rule of life was revealed during the days in which the Law of Moses was in effect, hence there was no temptation for Israel to complicate the Law of Moses with any other law system.
K. The nation of Israel remained under pure law for fifteen hundred years.
2. The Teachings of Grace.
A. Do not apply to men in all ages.
B Revealed by God the Father through Christ the Son and His Apostles.
C. Never addressed to the world as applicable to it in the Age of Grace.
D. Addressed to a peculiar people who are in the world, but not of the world.
E. Constitute divine instruction to the heavenly citizen.
F. Unfold the exact manner of life that a heavenly citizen is to manifest on earth.
G. The full detail of this rule of life is found in a portion of a Gospel, portions of the Book of Acts, and the Epistles of the New Testament.
H. The death of Christ was the necessary foundation for the present, full manifestation of superabounding grace.
I. They will terminate with the rapture.
J. The gospel of grace is an appeal to the individual alone.
K. The message of grace is of personal faith, personal salvation, a personal enduement of the Spirit, a personal gift for service, and a personal transformation into the image of Christ.
L. The company of redeemed and transformed individuals from the Age of Grace are to be in ages to come the supreme manifestation of the riches of God’s grace.
M. The glory of the Church Age is lost under the following conditions:
1. The reign of the Law of Moses is intruded into the Church Age.
2. The social order of the Kingdom is expected before the second advent.
N. They are perfect and sufficient in themselves.
O. They provide for the instruction of the child of God in every situation that may arise.
P. They need not be supplemented, or augmented, by the addition of precepts from either the Law of Moses or the teachings to the Kingdom.
3. The Teachings of the Kingdom.
A. The teachings of the Kingdom do not apply to men in all ages.
B. The teachings of the Kingdom have not applied to any man yet.
C. The teachings of the Kingdom anticipate the following:
1. The binding of Satan.
2. A purified earth.
3. The restoration of Israel.
4. The personal reign of Christ as King.
D. The Kingdom laws will be addressed to Israel and all nations entering the Kingdom.
E. The reign of the King is not ushered in by a gradual process of world improvement.
F. The reign of the King is introduced suddenly and by violence.
G. The return of the reigning King characterized: (Daniel 2:31-45)
1. Like a smiting stone.
2. Will demolish the structure of world empires.
3. Will grind world empires to powder.
4. Will scatter world empires as the wind scatters the chaff of the summer threshing floor.
5. Satan and the satanic deception will be removed from the earth.
6. Israel will realize the glory of her covenants.
7. The long-predicted blessing will come upon all Gentiles and upon creation.
H. The Church is not mentioned in relation to the teachings of the Kingdom.
I. The teachings of the Kingdom are not to be applied to the Church during the Kingdom Age.
1. The Church will not be reigned over, but will reign with Christ--her Head.
2. The Church, being the Bride of the King, is His Consort.
3. The Church will be under the heavenly teachings of Grace.
4. Her home will be in the bosom of the Bridegroom in the Ivory palace of the King.
J. The King will reign with a rod of iron.
K. Sin and iniquity will be rebuked instantly and judged in perfect righteousness.
L. Clear conception of the glory of the Kingdom is lost if it is confused with the Age of Grace which precedes it, or with the sinless new heavens and new earth that follow it.