#1 PLANS OF SALVATION UNDER INNOCENCE, CONSCIENCE, AND HUMAN GOVERNMENT.

DIFFERENT PLANS OF SALVATION

It is true, in the Old Testament, not one person has salvation without faith. The misunderstanding surrounds the object of their faith. Faith must have the correct object. One may drift toward Nigra Falls with a rope around his waist and feel secure because the other end secured to a tree. But, if that tree is floating down the river with him, both go over the falls to sure destruction. One thing for sure, the objects differed with different people at different times. We begin with Adam and Eve

1. ADAM. Adam and Eve were perfect. However, like all humanity, they were created with a free will. Thay ate of the forbidden tree and lost their sinless state and relationship with God. God, in His love and grace, restored fellowship with them. They were forbidden to eat of the Tree of Life lest they live forever in a state of sin. (“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:” Genesis 3:22.) They were driven from the Garden. Charubims, stationed at the gate, keep “ the way of the Tree of Life.” No doubt, a tabernacle was located nearby and people would bring offerings, as commanded by the Lord. (Gen. 5:5) “way] a road. No doubt God had made a beautiful way of approach to the tree. Its position in Rev. 2:7; 22:2 may suggest where it was in the garden.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments of the Authorized or King James Version Text.

Although, the Serpent was told that the seed would crush his head, there is no reason to believe Adam and Eve understood the ssignificanceof the prophecy. We doubt that they believed animal sacrifices took away sins. They were told what to do. They believe God and obeyed. That was the requirement for their salvation.  We must keep in mind that Adam lived 930 years.  It is beyond reason that one should think they looked forward to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Theirs was a works and faith situation. The object of their faith was in WHAT GOD TOLD THEM TO DO. Without either, they could not be save.

 

2. CONCIENCE.

 

The second dispensation is that of Conscience—Genesis 3:23 to 8:19

We have no idea the length of the dispensation of Conscience. The Chronological Bible indicates that Adam and Eve were in the Garden about four years. Others suggest that Cain and Able were twins. Regardless, the dispensation of Innocence ended with their fall, and the dispensation of Conscience began at the same time. The Stewards of this administrant were Cain, Seth, and their families.
The length of this dispensation was about 1,656 years. It ended in wickedness and a flood. During that dispensation, man became indescribably wicked. The following text describes that dispensation. “ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:18-32.

The Scriptures do not support the view that anyone looked forward and saw the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Tradition blinded men to the belief that these Old Testament saints believe our gospel; regardless of the fact that no one saw it Christ’s day did not see it. Theirs was a works and faith program. They could not be saved if they lacked either. They needed to maintain good works and blood sacrifices.

3 HUMAN GOVERNMENT- THIRD DISPENSATION- (Genesis 8:20 to 11:9).

 Noah and his descendants were stewards of this administration/dispensation. Its length was about 429 years. It began with the flood and lasted to the confusion of tongues at Babel. It is called Human Government because of things permitted and forbidden. God instituted these: Permission to eat meat, forbid eating blood, the institution of capital punishment.  They were to scatter and multiply (Genesis 9).
Their refusal to scatter and the building of the tower of Babel.  (Genesis 11:1-4). God confused languages (Genesis 11:5-9). THE MEANS OF SALVATION WAS FAITH AND WORKS (SACRIFICES). THEY BELIEVE WHAT GOD TOLD THEM AND DID IT.