Dispensationalism Is Not Biblical
Dispensationalism is a relatively recent theological framework that divides biblical history into distinct “dispensations” and teaches that God has separate plans for Israel and the Church. It gained popularity through the Scofield Reference Bible and later through books like The Late Great Planet Earth and Left Behind. But according to Scripture—and as taught by many historic Protestants and teachers like Steve Gregg—Dispensationalism misreads major themes of prophecy, the kingdom of God, and the Church.
Here are five biblical reasons to reject Dispensationalism, rooted in the Partial Preterist understanding of Scripture.
1. The Kingdom of God Is Already Present—Not Delayed
Dispensational Claim: Jesus came offering the kingdom to Israel, but because they rejected it, the kingdom was postponed until the Second Coming.
Partial Preterist Response: Jesus did bring the kingdom, and it was established in the first century. The Church age is not a “parenthesis,” but the fulfillment of God’s plan.
- Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
- Colossians 1:13 – “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Why It Matters: The idea of a postponed kingdom makes Jesus’ mission look like a failure and ignores clear statements that the kingdom was inaugurated in the first century.
2. Bible Prophecy Was Fulfilled in the First Century
Dispensational Claim: Most Bible prophecy—especially in Matthew 24, Revelation, and Daniel—is still awaiting fulfillment.
Partial Preterist Response: Many prophecies, particularly those about “the last days,” the tribulation, and the destruction of Jerusalem, were fulfilled in the events of 70 AD when Rome destroyed the temple—just as Jesus predicted.
- Matthew 24:34 – “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
- Luke 21:20-22 – “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies… these are days of vengeance to fulfill all that is written.”
Why It Matters: Dispensationalism misplaces these time-sensitive prophecies into our future, ignoring the plain audience relevance and first-century context.
3. The Church Is the Fulfillment of God’s Promises to Israel
Dispensational Claim: God has one plan for national Israel and a separate one for the Church.
Partial Preterist Response: The Church is the continuation and fulfillment of Israel—not a detour. God has one people, made up of Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus.
- Romans 9:6-8 – “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel… it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise.”
- Galatians 6:16 – Paul refers to the Church as “the Israel of God.”
Why It Matters: Dispensationalism resurrects a dividing wall Jesus died to tear down (Ephesians 2:14), and it leads to misguided political theology and Zionism.
4. The “Rapture” Is Not a Secret Event, But the Second Coming
Dispensational Claim: Jesus will come secretly to “rapture” the Church before a future seven-year tribulation.
Partial Preterist Response: The so-called rapture passages describe a visible, final return of Christ—there is no two-stage coming of Jesus taught in Scripture.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… and we will be caught up together with them.”
- Matthew 24:30-31 – “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man… he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet.”
Why It Matters: The “secret rapture” doctrine isn’t found before the 1800s. It distracts Christians from Jesus’ real call: to watch, endure, and be faithful.
5. Revelation Was Written Before 70 AD and Speaks to That Generation
Dispensational Claim: Revelation predicts future global events and a coming Antichrist.
Partial Preterist Response: Revelation is deeply symbolic and was written to comfort first-century believers facing persecution under Rome. The “beast” and the “harlot” likely refer to Nero and Jerusalem, not modern-day figures.
- Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ… to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
- Revelation 1:3 – “The time is near.”
Why It Matters: Dispensationalism turns Revelation into a newspaper prophecy puzzle instead of a message of hope for persecuted saints in the early Church.
Conclusion: Scripture Is Christ-Centered, Not Israel-Centered
The entire Bible points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises (Luke 24:27). Dispensationalism shifts the spotlight to geopolitical Israel and speculative end-time charts. But the New Testament consistently teaches that in Christ, all God’s promises find their “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The Partial Preterist view holds Scripture in its original historical and covenantal context. It takes Jesus seriously when He said His words would come to pass in that generation (Matthew 24:34), and it refuses to delay or distort the kingdom He inaugurated.
Instead of waiting for a future temple or political ruler, let’s live now in the victory of Christ’s kingdom—already established, growing, and destined to fill the earth (Daniel 2:35).