For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Liz Raab
In the 3rd Dispensational, Noah and his descedants do not obey God or fulfill His command of scattering and repopulating the earth. I don't understand where or how 325 years later there are inhabitants? Who were they and where did they come from if not from Noah and his family?
Frank Scimeca
Very good study and spot on; however I have a question: You say that the only people allowed to enter the Kingdom are the born-again believers from the Age of Grace and righteous survivors of the seven years of tribulation; however it is true that those in the past who looked and believed in the Messiah will also be allowed into the Kingdom? Please explain.
Bruce Morgan
Liz, yes the "inhabitants" were the descendants of Noah's sons Shem, Ham and Japheth. Their genealogies are listed in Genesis 10. The main descendants of Ham were the Egyptians, and the main descendants of Shem (Semites) were the children of Abraham.
They repopulated the earth, but did not scatter as God commanded, but rather all stayed together in one place and began to build the city of Babylon so they could all live together.
Danny Kain
I see an abundance of well thought out answers to a unique question about our faith and the faith of our fathers "once for all delivered to the saints" and I thank you all for the insights you bring. I too have read the Scriptures extensively as well as many commentaries, countless sermons and teachings,systematic theology, Institutes of the Christian Religion (tho I dislike that Calvin chose to call it 'religion' but I digress) and funny but I find aspects of all your fine opinions.
The Lord did not give us an 'outline' of His work of Redemption but a love story of His immense Grace through His beloved Son Christ Jesus weaved into history by the writings of certain chosen saints of God. Dispensation is dispensation whether named or not just as Trinity is Trinity whether named or not. None, 7 or 9? who cares? True, there are many who would and do pervert the Word of our God and we must be diligent and oppose those who deny it but please do not let us be reduced to a sideshow by "majoring in the minors" over issues that truly bear no weight.
True, there are epochs of history, name them if you will. True, there are epochs of history, don't name them if you will not to. But my question is, does the work they do, even of Darby, not hold to the True Word or does it help the reader know of Christ's salvific sacrafice and Glorify our Lord Jesus Christ by better illumination of Him and His work for us and in us. Please let this be the litmus test always bearing in mind the warnings of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:3-7. Thank you all for your fine insights. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.