#35. Romans - Let's Talk About the Eons, Part IV

    Part IV: God’s Conciliation, Confirmed

There are twelve different “administrations,” or “governments,” if you will, that God operates over the course of the eons in relation to us. Wondering why this matters? Well, I’ll kick it off with a quote from A.E. Knoch, concerning these twelve administrations:

“…that which is blessedly true in one economy may be utterly false in another. All is God’s word; but are not His truth unless properly apportioned. This is the key to unlock the difficulties which have caused so much discord and division among God’s people. All who value God’s approval will never ignore the proper division of His word.”

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

The first eon does not contain any humans, and thus does not have an administration. There is celestial strife during this period of time. Christ is called the “Firstborn of every creature,” in Col. 1:15, and it is further explained that His sacrifice was foreknown before the disruption of the world (1 Pet. 1:19-20.) The disruption itself is the implementation of Satan into the works. Little is truly known about Satan today, because most of Christianity has transfigured him into a “fallen angel,” when there are no verses that state such a thing. There are three major things to keep in mind concerning Satan:

1)    God created Satan (Is. 45:7, Lam. 3:38.)

2)    He is not a fallen angel. He was evil from the beginning (1 John 3:8.)

3)    Currently, Satan has transfigured himself into an apostle of light (2 Cor. 11:12-15.)

It is not hard to see, then, the true nature of the spiritual warfare that is around us today. These administrations walk us through God’s dealings with humanity, into sin and saved by Christ, that we will come out on the other side being constituted just (Rom. 5:19.)

Innocence

“Innocence” is a fitting name for the first administration. God had one rule during this govern, and it was simple: Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Other than this, everything was fair game. Adam and Eve lived in perpetual bliss, though, ironically, because they had not eaten from this tree, they were unaware of said bliss, as well as their corruptible nature (Gen. 2:25.) They were innocent. They did not know any better, until Adam transgressed (notice, thanks, ultimately, to Satan luring him to disobey. The celestial warfare that began in eon one then made its way to earth.)

This economy came to a close with Adam’s expulsion from Eden.

Conscience

Beginning with Seth – Adam’s offspring – which would inevitably lead to Christ’s birth, the remaining patriarchs until Noah are established, while most of humanity (who grew exponentially during this period of time, per Gen. 5,) were corrupted by Satanic forces (Gen. 6:1-4.) There are some who will claim that the term “elohim” used in Gen. 6:2 only pertains to the patriarchs referenced in Genesis 5, and that’s okay. It’s a completely viable interpretation of the text. Maybe I am at fault for thinking this, but I do believe there’s enough physical evidence from many cultures that proclaim creatures coming down from the sky and taking the women. If this is a fallible interpretation, that’s okay, too. Part of this has to do with the Book of Enoch, and whether or not it’s a book of the Bible. I haven’t studied it heavily, but it could very well be conclusive. Maybe when I’m finished this study on Scripture (which will take long enough as it is,) I’ll study the Book of Enoch.

Anyway, regardless of which view you subscribe to, it’s evident that Satan’s primary goal could be something like: “Corrupt humanity to such a great degree that Elohim gives up, quitting on His creation.” Or, more likely: “Corrupt humanity’s bloodline between Adam and Christ, so as to obscure the innocence and purity of His insemination.” As such, man’s conscience is ruined (Gen. 6:11-13.) We know how the story goes. Yahweh does indeed regret (Gen. 6:6,) but He does not give up. Moreover, the bloodline is not broken, and Noah, one of the last pure-blooded descendants of Adam, is kept alive to the flood, which both ends the second eon, as well as the second administration.

Government

At the beginning of the third eon, the “jurisdiction of darkness” is established (Col. 1:13.) We know, having read Genesis 9:1-7, that man is given authority over life and death. This is why the eon is called “wicked,” and why the jurisdiction is “dark.” Man has sin operating in them, and is ruled by death. It is established, then, that we have an ability to take life, but not to create it (and don’t give me some technicality that ‘we procreate,’ because we didn’t create procreation.)

On the celestial side of things, it is Satan who owns the eon (2 Cor. 4:4.)

This administration is presented to Noah, and climaxes with the Tower of Babel, in which the humans (that again gave birth and grew exponentially, per Genesis 10) banded together in an attempt to create a massive building that reached the heavens in order to “create a name for themselves” (Gen. 11:4.) If this had succeeded, the period reserved for Revelation would have been brought into effect  before Christ had died on the cross, which would have caused a preemptive judgment, cutting the third eon short, and causing the story to be a tragedy as opposed to a love story.

This government failed, as it ended in God changing the languages of man, causing them to scatter. Indeed, from a celestial perspective, this is not the only thing that happened. Observe Deut. 32:8:

…the Supreme gave the nations allotments, When He parted the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of El.

So, with a shift in language came also an allotment for each person. They were each assigned a “son of El,” which clearly stand at the head of their respective nation. So, if we are considering the dichotomy of Genesis 1:1, we have a clearer view that each nation refers to an individual celestial son of El. With the nations now established, God can bring forth His nation.

Promise

The last chosen shall be first. Beginning in Genesis 12, Abraham is established as the terrestrial forefather of faith, the one promised not only a great nation, but promised that, through his seed, all other nations would be blessed. This is a promise of a sound government, not ruled by Abraham, but promised to him. The One reigning this kingdom is, again, none other than you and me, through Christ (Rom. 5:17.) The “Divine Calender” describes this period of time as “hope,” and I would disagree. This is not a “hope,” but an “expectation.” Abraham believes God, and it is reckoned to Him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6.)

This period of time lasts from Abraham until Moses – a promise has been issued by God, but there is nothing more than faith that those of Abraham’s seed have to prove that this will come to fruition. This period of time covers Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s twelve sons, Israel’s growth as a people under Egypt’s rule, and eventual enslavement. The administration culminates when God leads the Israelites out of Egypt, and baptizes them through the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:1-2.) This period lasts 430 years (Ex. 12:40.)

Law

The law of the kingdom is fully unveiled to Moses on Mount Sinai, which is when this administration begins. They break the first rule before Moses has fully descended, and he even breaks the first set of stone tablets in frustration. The ark of the covenant is made, and the law is stored in there. The Israelites repeatedly fail to uphold the law, though they stubbornly proclaimed that they would in Ex. 19:8.

This administration is covered throughout the vast majority of the Old Testament. From the Israelites’ reception of their covenant to the end of the Old Testament, this administration concerns every detail we can concern ourselves with on our Father’s just dealings with His people. This section requires a much larger breakdown, so I won’t even bother considering all the details here. When I get to the Old Testament, this will be the case.

When Mary is found pregnant by holy spirit, in Matt. 1:17, the next administration begins.

Incarnation

The descent of our Lord serves many purposes, but His Ministry and life here on earth primarily concerns terrestrial matters with Israel. He explicitly states that He is here to fulfill the law (Matt. 5:17.) This limits Jesus’ ministry, like the law. God’s administrations, you may have noticed by now, are not large or bombastic, but small and intimate (humble, if you will.) Here, Christ is teaching for the hearts of the Israelite folk, not the works by their hands.

We know how this story goes. The vast majority of the Israelites are not meant to apprehend the secrets unveiled by Jesus, so He speaks to them in parables (Matt. 13:10-17.) The ministry ends in His death. The Israelites reject their Messiah.

Pentecostal

This is a vastly misunderstood administration, and it assuredly stems from a misunderstanding of the book of Acts. The world believes that the book of Acts is the “foundation of the early church.” Go up to a studious Catholic, and they will tell you this. Alas, they are incorrect. The book of Acts can be broken down between Peter and Paul. Peter’s administration is this “Pentecostal” administration, from Acts 1:1-8:40. During this section, a pardon is issued to the Jews for their murder (Luke 23:34, Acts 2:38.) The disciple Stephen stands before the Pharisees in front of the Sanhedrin and goes on a long speech against the Pharisees, pointing out the Jews’ failure to adhere to the proclamation they made back in Exodus 19:8. In response, they stone him. Observe Acts 7:54-60:

Now, hearing these things, they were harrowed in their hearts, and gnashed their teeth at him. Now possessing the fullness of faith and holy spirit, looking intently into heaven, he perceived the glory of God, and Jesus, standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Lo! I am beholding the heavens opened up, and the Son of Mankind standing at the right hand of God.”

Now, crying with a loud voice, they pressed their ears and rush on him with one accord. And, casting him out, outside of the city, they pelted him with stones.

And the witnesses put off their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.

And they pelted Stephen with stones, while he is invoking and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Now, kneeling, he cries with a loud voice, “Lord, Thou should not stand against them this sin!” And saying this, he was put to repose.

Two things of note, here. First, the apostle Paul (then Saul) was there as the Jews killed Stephen. What divine timing! Second, the name Stephen is of Greek origin, and means “CROWN.” Consider: this Pentecostal administration revolves around the kingdom being reoffered, to Israel. Stephen has a vision of Jesus standing at the right of God. When they reject Stephen, they are rejecting the CROWN, that Jesus was ready to descend and take up, had they accepted Him there.

For those of you who are studious in the book of Acts, you know I’m doing some major oversimplification here. There are plenty of other details to consider, but this requires a much deeper dive into the book of Acts itself, which I am not going to perform at this time. The guys over at the Concordant Publishing Concern have conducted many accurate studies on the book, most impressive of them all by H.W. Martin, whose studies were compiled into one book, which you can find at studyshelf.com. I’m summarizing, here, not beginning a new study.

One more thing, before we move on. The administrations here are symmetrical, divided by the cross of Christ. This administration is parallel to Jesus’, in the sense that both herald the kingdom evangel, both offer the kingdom to the Jews, and both culminate in the rejection of their Messiah.

Transition

The transition between Paul and Peter is documented in the second half of the book of Acts. Upon the rejection of their promised kingdom, Saul, who had been murdering followers of Jesus, is blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-5.) His evangel, as we’ve been learning, has been concerned with spreading the truth of our salvation to the nations, which we have been studying carefully here. The “transitional” administration concerns the period of time in which Israel is still being heralded the kingdom evangel, which Paul does do during the second half of Acts, from Acts 12:24-28:28. During this period of time, the letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Thessalonians are written (Romans actually being the last, chronologically.) Observe Rom. 15:15-16:

Yet more daringly do I write to you, in part, as prompting you, because of the grace being given to me from God, for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus for the nations, acting as a priest of the evangel of God, that the approach present of the nations may be becoming well received, having been hallowed by holy spirit.

Yes, the nations are now the ones receiving this message of grace, through Paul. But what of the rest of the evangel?

One more thing, before we move on. This administration parallels the “law.” Paul called himself an acting “priest” of the evangel of God, per the above verse, as God operated through the priests of Israel’s period under law. Both administrations end with Israel being thrust into apostasy.

Secret

The present secret administration of the body of Christ is us, today. All of Scripture has built to Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, the zenith of divine revelation. By the grace of God, we understand those three letters. The remainder, being Paul’s personal letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, fall into the present administration as well. During this period of time, Israel has been completely thrust aside. Observe Acts 28:28:

Let it be known to you, then, that to the nations was dispatched this salvation of God, and they will hear.

With Israel completely thrust aside, these final letters of Paul’s make clear to us the full scope of the power of God. Everything we are reading about now, in Romans, is being viewed from the perspective of this secret administration. The truths unveiled to us here in a letter to the nations are for us to be apprehending today, to prepare us for the celestial placement that we have. God is not kidding when He says that we are going to be reigning with Christ. Where is Christ, again? Stephen, care to help us out?

Lo! I am beholding the heavens opened up, and the Son of Mankind standing at the right hand of God.

Ohhhh, that’s right. Thank you.

This administration has indeed been operating in secret for nearly 2,000 years, now (Rom. 16:25, Col. 3:1-4.) This is, arguably, the most elite club that the universe could ever proclaim. This is because it is not concerned with matters of the flesh, but with matters of the spirit, which is where God operates (being invisible and all.) We are a select few, being brought behind the curtain, pulled into this understanding before the rest of the world (system.) This administration will end when the body of Christ, God’s acting ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:21,) are removed from the planet and seated at the right hand of God, to rule and reign with Christ for the remaining eons (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-53, Eph. 2:5-6.)

This administration parallels the “Promise” administration that was operated during Abraham’s time. Both periods serve a portion of promise God gives (Gen. 12:1-3, Eph. 1:14.) Abraham’s period ends when Israel leaves their allotted land to live in Egypt, while our period ends when we leave the earth to live in the celestials.

Judgment

This one is self-explanatory, and I’ve gone into detail on it already. The judgment of all mankind is documented in Revelation, and commences when the body of Christ is removed, and the man of lawlessness is presented (2 Thess. 2:3-10.) It lasts seven years (Dan. 9:25-27.)

This administration parallels the “Government” administration, during which man’s final, unified governmental power is finally presented. Both involve a unified governmental power, and both culminate in the destruction of said governmental power. Man fails.

Kingdom

Another topic I’ve covered already, here. The 1,000-year kingdom is God’s next administration, and parallels the “Conscience” administration that began with Seth. God’s righteous rule is far better and stronger than sin’s violent and chaotic rule.

Fullness

Post Judgment Day, we have the “new heavens and new earth.” The parallel here is blatantly obvious, as God takes man back to a peaceful, innocent bliss, a place even greater than the garden of Eden, with a fuller understanding of God’s true love. Christ is head of the universe, and it is no longer a secret. This administration ends when all fully come to understand Christ as Lord (Phil. 2:9-11.)

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I’d like to wrap this section up with another quote from A.E. Knoch, just to drive home the importance of keeping these administrations in mind when studying Scripture:

“It is of the utmost importance in going back to the New Testament: doctrine and practice, that we do not draw back too far into the Transitional or Pentecostal economy, and thus add to the confusion in which we find ourselves. Some truths hold good in all administrations, but the characteristic truth of any economy cannot be misplaced without becoming a malignant error.”

Wise words. Grace and peace.

- GerudoKing