03. The Seven Periods Of Time, Or Dispensations-The Covenants
CHAPTER THREE
THE SEVEN PERIODS OF TIME, OR DISPENSATIONS-THE COVENANTS
“God that made the world and all things therein . . . And hath determined the times before appointed" (Acts 17:24; Acts 17:26).
To study the Bible dispensationally is all-important, if one would learn how to divide aright the Word of Truth. God’s plan of redemption in the Bible cannot be fully understood except through an understanding of these dispensations.
A dispensation is a period of time during which God tests man in regard to man’s relationship to Him. In each period of time there is some revelation of the will of God, and a new test of man. Each dispensation begins in fresh divine light and inspiration, and ends in darkness, gloom, and judgment.
There are seven dispensations, known as: Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace, and Kingdom. Five of these periods have already passed into history; the sixth is the one in which we, the Church, are living now; and the seventh will follow a period of time called the Tribulation period.
Each new dispensation is introduced by an agreement or covenant between God and man, which originates with God. These covenants are to be fulfilled by man under certain stated conditions. They contain a promise by God to man. God has made eight covenants with man, which are:
The “Edenic” covenant-given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was conditioned on obedience (Genesis 1:28-30; Genesis 2:15-17).
The “Adamic” covenant-given to Adam and Eve after their disobedience to God. It was unconditional (Genesis 3:14-19).
The “Noahic” covenant-given to Noah after the flood. It was unconditional and covered all of the people (Genesis 8:20-22; Genesis 9:1-17).
The “Abrahamic” covenant-given to Abraham. It was unconditional. It was confirmed to his son, Isaac. It was confirmed also to Isaac’s son, Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 26:1-5; Genesis 28:10-15).
The “Mosaic” covenant-given to Moses after the Exodus at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20:1-26; Exodus 21:1-36; Exodus 22:1-31; Exodus 23:1-33; Exodus 24:1-18; Exodus 25:1-40Exodus 26:1-37; Exodus 27:1-21; Exodus 28:1-43; Exodus 29:1-46; Exodus 30:1-38; Exodus 31:1-18; Exodus 32:1-35; Exodus 33:1-23; Exodus 34:1-35; Exodus 35:1-35; Exodus 36:1-38; Exodus 37:1-29; Exodus 38:1-31; Exodus 39:1-43; Exodus 40:1-38).
The “Davidic” covenant-given to King David (2 Samuel 7:4-17).
The “Palestine” covenant-given to Israel, and conditioned on Israel’s repentance (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).
The “New” covenant. It was made with Israel, was unconditional, and will cover the period following the Revelation of Jesus Christ and the return of Israel to Palestine (Matthew 26:28-29;Jeremiah 31:31-37; Hebrews 8:7-13).
You will notice on the Art Chart (www.BibleSupport.com/a/gppc.png) that each period ends with a crisis. At the end of each of the first four periods of time, the crisis is pictured in a rectangle at the top of the period. These crises are known as the Expulsion, the Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the Passover. The crisis at the end of the fifth period is the Cross, at the end of the sixth period the Second Coming of Christ, and at the end of the seventh period the Great White Throne and the Renovation of the Earth by Fire.
Most Bible students of prophecy feel today that the Age of Grace in which we are now living is rapidly drawing to a close. They observe the prominent abnormal economic, social and religious world conditions prevailing, and the peculiar events happening in and around nations, which point to an approaching crisis. It has been observed by thinking people that always a crisis comes to both men and nations when they reach the end of their resources.
Most Bible students agree in the belief that our God is ready again to personally intervene in the course of world events in order that He may definitely change the course of history, and bring judgment upon individuals and nations.
We who know the Word of God are not left in darkness concerning coming events. We analyze them daily in the light of the Bible, and we prepare to meet them with thanksgiving and rejoicing. In view of this knowledge of the Word of God as imparted by the Holy Spirit, Bible students are convinced that the business of “Getting Right With God” is of first importance to every individual.
They observe that the most valuable possession of every Spiritual Christian is a knowledge of the fact of his own salvation from sin and Satan through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind; and a realization of his own personal guidance by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
By “Getting Right With God,” an individual:
Becomes a member of the body of Christ, which is the Church, through salvation.
He becomes prepared for the future without fear of coming events.
He is ready and watching for the Rapture.
He is prepared to appear before the “Judgment Seat of Christ” for the judgment of his works done on the earth, and for the reward of the “Crowns” which will be his.
Then he will be one of the group called the “Bride of Christ” at the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb,” for he will be like Jesus.
He will be one of the “Hosts of Heaven” with Christ at the time of His “Revelation”; and he will reign with Christ after the “Tribulation Period” in the “Kingdom Age” when Christ sits on the “Throne of His Father, David"
May all those who study these periods of time be prepared in this “Age of Grace” to partake of the glories of the future life which are in store for all those who love God.