Dispensations are ways in which God has dealt, is dealing, and will deal with people and nations. The worship format may change: father of the family is the priest, Levitical priesthood, priesthood of the believer, Christ our High Priest, etc., but the worship itself never changes for it must be in spirit and in truth regardless of when you worship or where you worship. God [is] a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Nor does the message change. It is always the same gospel: by grace through faith apart from works in EVERY dispensation “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

God delights in giving new opportunities in different ways for people to repent of their rebellion and turn their lives over to Him. He also gives new opportunities in different ways for believers to share the gospel with others. Israel as a nation was responsible before God to show to surrounding nations what a wonderful God Israel had and how they could also become His worshippers. But instead Israel gloated in being “the people of God” rather than seeking to show the Gentiles the way to know the true God. So God set Israel aside and chose the Gentiles to fulfill the task of making His Name known to all men. When the Gentiles fail God the times of the Gentiles will end and God will give the task back to the Jews during the 70th week of Daniel when the 144,000 Jews will reach out to every tribe and nation with the message of Jesus, God’s Son, Redeemer, Substitute, and chosen Messiah.

“God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” (Romans 11:2 NKJV) Israel is temporarily set aside by God while He reaps a great harvest among the Gentile nations. After Jesus takes his bride, the church, to glory God will reap a great harvest from Israel and their worldwide ministry.

What is God’s lesson for us here? Get busy and do your job or you will be replaced. If we fail to retain the gospel and proclaim the gospel God will replace us. “Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.
(Rev 2:4-5 NKJV)

Praise God for many churches true to the Word of God. Praise God for thousands of faithful missionaries true to the Word of God scattered around the world. BUT are we losing our first love? How close are we to being up for replacement?