In pre-8 fire charges and fireworks do not shoot through blocks when shot from dispensers.
The problem I was having with leaving the end through the end portal and respawning in the overworld and becoming a "ghost player" is fixed in snapshot 18w31a.
2018-06-21, 07:40:08 PM UTC
Dispenser with Fire Charge/Flint and Steel does not light fire if under block.
Nicholas Kerns
MC-116251
In pre-8 fire charges and fireworks do not shoot through blocks when shot from dispensers.
The problem I was having with leaving the end through the end portal and respawning in the overworld and becoming a "ghost player" is fixed in snapshot 18w31a.