A. Brief Overview of the Dispensations.
A. Brief Overview of the Dispensations.
First Dispensation: Innocence.
Genesis, Chapters 1-3: From the Creation to the Expulsion. Man’s responsibility: was not to eat of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 2:8-9; Genesis 2:16-17). The fruit was all right, only it had God’s prohibition against it. The test was to see if man would be obedient to the will of God.
Second Dispensation: Conscience.
Genesis, Chapters 3-8: From the Fall to the Flood. Since man now knew the difference between good and evil, man was to do things right (Genesis 4:7) and to avoid evil. Unfortunately, your conscience will tell you to do right; but, only God’s Word can tell you what is right. God made the way of approach to Him by way of the blood sacrifice.
Third Dispensation: Human Government.
Genesis, Chapters 8-11: From the Flood to the Dispersion at the Tower of Babel. Man’s responsibility is to govern the Earth (world) (Genesis 9:1-6). Capital punishment is introduced. (Genesis 9:6). When a man slays another man, he kills one who is made in the image of God. This is a direct attack against God.
Fourth Dispensation: Promise.
Genesis, Chapter 11, to Exodus 12:41. From the Call of Abraham to Bondage in Egypt. Man’s responsibility was to abide in the land. Genesis 26:1-3 : A famine came after obedience to God! Isaac didn’t have to go to Egypt. When God calls or leads, He will provide! It would have been better if he hadn’t gone; but, he disobeyed God and went to Egypt. Like many today, he did what his father, Abraham, had done; and looked to the flesh, rather than to God. Abraham should have stayed in the land, too (Genesis 12:10). In going “down” to Egypt (always a type of sin), he brought Hagar back with him, and through her has sprung up the greatest enemy of Israel today—the Mohammedans. “Every time you go to Egypt you will have trouble.”
Fifth Dispensation: Law.
Exodus: From the Exodus to the Cross; or, from Sinai to Calvary. (Exodus 19:1-5; Romans 10:5) Man’s responsibility was “To render a perfect obedience unto the Law.”
Sixth Dispensation: The Church Age of Grace.
Acts and The Epistles: This dispensation extends from the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to the ascent of the Holy Spirit when the Church is raptured. “Ye must be born again (i.e., “from above”). (John 1:11-12; John 3:36; Romans 4:5; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) A sinner cannot come to God alone by depending on some work of righteousness or ritual. He must come by the only WAY, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Seventh Dispensation: The Tribulation.
Revelation 6-19; Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7. Also called “Jacob’s Trouble.” From the Ascent of the Church at the Rapture to the Descent of Christ at the Second Coming. People will be saved after the Rapture of the Church. All are saved by the precious blood of Christ. (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 14:6-7; Ephesians 1:7)
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)
Eighth Dispensation: The Kingdom.
Isaiah 2:11. From the descent of Christ to the Great White Throne Judgment. Psalms 2:6-12—means to submit to Him, in His reign (Psalms 86:9; Zechariah 14:16-19).