The Time Element In Scripture
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Recognizing the time element in Scripture is a key to understanding the Bible. Only then do we know… what applies… to who… and when.

Many Scriptural problems and much confusion would be solved and explained, if we were more careful to note the time element, emphasized so strongly in the Word of God.

In Romans 5:12 we learn that sin entered the human race by Adam early on. Then only later “the law entered” (Ver. 20). But still later the Apostle Paul arose to say: “But now, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested” (Rom. 3:21).

  1. Early in man’s history innocent animal blood sacrifices were required for acceptance with God (See Gen. 4:4; Heb. 11:4),
  2. then later circumcision and the Law (Gen. 17:14; Ex. 19:5) were required,
  3. and still later, repentance and water baptism (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38) were required.
  4. But not until Paul do we learn of salvation by grace through faith alone, applies today… on the basis of Christ’s finished, all-sufficient cross-work of redemption.

This is why the Apostle refers in Gal. 3:23 to “the faith which should afterward be revealed.” This is why he declares that our Lord “gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” and adds: “whereunto I (Paul) am ordained a preacher and an apostle” (I Tim. 2:6,7).

It is only as we recognize the time element in Scripture that we see the difference…

  1. … between that of “the gospel of the kingdom” that Jesus preached to Israel only (Matt. 15:24, Matt. 10:5-6) …

and that of “the gospel of the grace of God” that Paul preached for “all men” (Titus 2:11), without distinction;

  1. And that is between the “dispensation of law” given to Israel only…

and that of “the dispensation of the grace of God” for the members of “the church which is His body” who today live under the pure grace of God.

A comparison of Romans 3:21 and 26 shows how this time element is emphasized in Scripture.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…  (Romans 3:21 (KJV)
“To declare, I say, at this time His [Christ’s] righteousness; that He [God] might be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.”

It is by noting the time element that we can clearly see the significant distinctions that differentiate that which applies to the nation Israel versus that of “the body of Christ.” When we note this major distinction all the apparent Bible contradictions and confusion disappear.