THE DISPENSATIONS

OF GOD

Here is the simple definition of dispensationalism: God has divided human history into specific time frames, or specific periods of history. We recognize these periods of time by calling them "The Age of", as in "The Age of Israel", "The Age of the Church", and so on. In each dispensation God deals with man with slightly different emphasis based on what He provided man by covenant and law. People often misinterpret Scripture by transposing the allowed operation of man from an earlier dispensation to the present one. For instance, in the Garden of Eden this was a dispensation theologians call The age of Sinlessness or Innocence. Man and woman walked around naked in the Garden, and this was perfectly acceptable in the eyes of God. When mankind entered into sin God immediately clothed Adam and Eve for they, by their very actions, passed into the age of Knowledge. It is wrong for men and women to walk around naked today. It was fine in an earlier dispensation when sin did not rule mankind, but is improper in our current dispensation.

Another example of a failure to understand dispensationalism is in the Armstrong cult. These people, originally formed under Herbert W. Armstrong (called the "Worldwide Church of God", and not affiliated with the Pentecostal Church of God) believe that animal sacrifice is still a valid practice in the Church today. In the age of Israel animal sacrifice was mandated by God because Christ had not yet come to pay for our sins. The sacrifices, in fact, did not save anyone, but foreshadowed He who was to come. When the age of the Church started at Pentecost animal sacrifices were no longer required for the believer. Jesus is our sacrifice who died once for all. God made this clear by destroying the Temple in 70 AD so sacrifices cannot be legally (in His eyes) carried out. Modern day Israelites understand this concept and do not offer sacrifices for this very reason. Other cults outside of Armstrongism try to merge the dispensations of the Church and Israel, while proclaiming that the Church is the "New Jerusalem". This is totally aberrant doctrine, and not supported by the Word of God.

This study will attempt to outline the Dispensations of God, providing you with scriptural references to each as recognized by conservative theologians. This subject is so extensive that I can only provide the references at this time, as whole books are written on this subject and can be found in your local Christian bookstores. As usual, if you have any questions or comments, please contact me at DIDASKALOS MINISTRIES. I'll be glad to write you back. God Bless you all!

• The first dispensation was the Age of Sinlessness or Innocence
• Historically was from: The Creation to the Fall of man
• Shown in the Bible: Genesis 1.1 through 3.6
• Characterized by:
• No Old Sin Nature in man
• Direct communication with God
• No written cannon of Scriptures
• Perfect unity between man and the animal kingdom
• No racial groups, just man and woman
• The second dispensation was the Age of Knowledge
• Historically was from: The Fall of man to the Abrahamic Covenant
• Shown in the Bible: Genesis 3.7 to 11.32
• Characterized by:
• One racial group called Gentiles
• Introduction of the Old Sin Nature into mankind
• Introduction of hard physical labor in mankind, and pain in childbearing among women
• Some chosen few had direct communication with God
• No written cannon of Scriptures
• Introduction of disharmony between man and the animal kingdom
• One racial group called Gentiles
• No mention is made of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
• The third dispensation was the Age of the Gentiles (around 586 BC)
• Historically was from: The Abrahamic Covenant to the commission of Moses
• Shown in the Bible: Genesis 12.1 through Exodus 2.25
• Characterized by:
• One racial group called the Gentiles
• Possessed the Divine Institutions of marriage, family, nationalism
• No written Scriptures. God communicated directly with man
• Stewards of the Gospel were Gentiles
• Sacrifices to God were on holy ground, but not in a Temple
• The Holy Spirit indwelt only a select few, and not necessarily on a permanent basis
• The fourth dispensation was the Age of Israel (part one)
• Historically was from: The commission of Moses to the Day of Pentecost
• Shown in the Bible: Exodus 3.1 through Acts 2.1
• Excluding the verses in John 13-17, where Jesus spoke to His coming Church
• Characterized by:
• Two racial groups called the Gentiles and the Israelites
• Established patriarchs to rule the tribes of Israel
• Written Scriptures and Laws were contained in what we call the Old Testament, along with the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) minus John 13-17
• Stewards of the Gospel were Israelites
• Sacrifices to God were initially on holy ground, but with the rise of King Solomon were made in the Temple
• The Holy Spirit indwelt only a select few, and not necessarily on a permanent basis
• The fifth dispensation is the Age of the Church
• Historically was from: The Day of Pentecost to the Rapture of Christ
• Shown in the Bible: John 13-17; Acts 2.1 through Revelation 3
• Characterized by:
• Three racial groups called the Gentiles, the Israelites, and the Church (or Christian)
• Established ministerial leaders in the Church called Apostles, Pastors, and Deacons
• Written Scriptures and Laws were added called the New Testament, the cannon of Scripture was completed in what we regard as our present day Bible.
• Stewards of the Gospel is the Church Age Believer
• Animal sacrifices are abolished, we now rest in the sacrifice Christ made for us on the Cross. We also offer ourselves as a holy sacrifice to God (Romans 12.1)
• No longer under the Mosaic Law, we live by the Law of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit indwells all believers at New Birth (salvation).
• The sixth dispensation will again be the Age of Israel
• This dispensation will begin at the Rapture of the Church by Jesus Christ, and will continue through the Tribulational Period on earth. The dispensation will not end until the Millennial Reign of Christ ends on the earth. This complex period is broken down as follows:
• Tribulational Period begins: Mark 13.19; Matthew 24.21; Daniel 12.1; 2 Thessalonians 1.6; Revelation 7.14
• Anti-christ rises up: 1 John 2.18, 22; 4.3; 2 John 7; Daniel 7.7, 21; 2 Thessalonians 2.3-12; Revelation 11.7
• False prophet rises up: Revelation 13.11-15
• (While the 7 year Tribulation is on earth, in Heaven the following occurs):
• Judgment Seat of Christ judges the works of the Church for reward or loss: Romans 14.10; 2 Corinthians 5.10
• Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the feast commemorating the union of the Church and Christ eternally.
• Mandated Mark of the Beast on the hand or forehead: Revelation 13.16-18
• Battle of Armageddon where Christ with His Church return to destroy those who would harm Israel: Judges 5.19; 2 Chronicles 35.22; Ezekiel 39.1-4; Revelation 19.11-21
• This Battle marks the end of the Tribulational Period on earth
• Israel is regathered by Christ: Isaiah 5.26-30; 10.19-23; 11.11-16; 14.1-3; 43; Joel 2.16; Zechariah 10.6-12
• Satan is imprisoned 1000 years in Tartarus, the pit: Revelation 20.1-3
• Millennial (thousand year) Reign of Christ begins: Revelation 20.5-6; Isaiah 11.7; 65.25
• Satan escapes (loosed): Revelation 20.7
• He arranges a final attempt to destroy Israel, ending the Millennial Reign. This attempt is thwarted by Jesus: Revelation 20.8-9
• Dispensations of human history end, and eternity begins:
• Satan, the anti-christ, and the false prophet are permanently imprisoned in the Lake of Fire: Revelation 20.10
• The Great White Throne of God judges all those without Christ, and these are cast into the Lake with Satan: Revelation 20.11-15
• Creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth: Revelation 21.1
• The Creation shall be preceded by a Baptism of cleansing Fire: Luke 12.49; 2 Thessalonians 1.8; Hebrews 12.29; 2 Peter 3.7-12