Bible Dispensations
In Scripture there are references to "ages" of time.
The following is a guide to these "age, not "the" chart: there is surely room for greater understanding and the periods listed below may overlap somewhat.
| Creation | Recreation & Paradise | Pre-Flood | Patriarch | Mosaic (Levitical) Law | The Kingdom Law | The Kingdom of Heaven | Grace (Church of God) | The Kingdom of Heaven: New Covenant | Judgement of Jews and Gentiles | Final Creation: Third Heaven & Earth |
| God created the Heavens & earth not void. Reign of Lucifer as God's angel. | Adam & Eve in the garden.
Reign of Adam as God's Man. |
Man spreading out across the world. Promise of Redeemer given to Eve and her descendents. | Families becoming nations. Promise narrowed to Family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. | Israel (nation of the children of Jacob) given promise, and a set of Laws (Covenant) to abide holy. | David given Promise and throne. Levitical Law still in effect. | Jesus Christ IS the Promised Redeemer, to rule Israel. Israel still under Law. Israel rejects the King. | Jesus Christ is Head of a special age of Grace.
Law put in abeyance and a walk in spirit is proscribed according to revelation given Paul and others. |
Tribulations occur just prior to and during Christ's return.
Return of the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. "Time," the Ages, shall be no more and this is the beginning of the process of God returning all things to Himself. First resurrection. Israel receives New Covenant. |
Judgement of Jews and Gentiles according to their works. The White Throne Judgement of Christ. | Old things pass away, a New Heaven and Earth formed without blemish. |
| Gen. 1:1-1:2
|
Gen. 1:26-3:24
|
Gen. 5:1-7:10
|
Gen 8:1-Ex. 18:27
|
Ex. 19:1-1 Sam. 8:7 | 1 Sam. 9:27-Acts 2:4, Rev. 11:15-Rev. 20:6 | Matt. 1:16, Luke 4:21-Acts 1:9 | Acts 2:1-Rev. 10:7 thru Rev. 11:15 | Rev. 12:9, 14:9-Rev. 20:10 | Rev. 20:11-20:15
|
Rev. 21:1-5
|
From a Biblical perspective, not all these are referred to as 'ages.' Thus, while they exist as periods of time, don't try to make expanse of doctrine from this listing. Some have intense Biblical significance, some not so much.
Also watch where numerous books make mention of the same event, while we try here to merely point out the clearest break in Scripture progression of one into the next. Also, keep in mind that prophesy sometimes refers to events that span ages, or happen in other ages.
Where many so-called 'dispensationalists' err is in while they are correct that the Mystery of God was hidden, they are incorrect that the age it was in was secret as well.
“ Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:” Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
1 Pet. 1:9-12
The Mystery was hid in God. But there are certain aspects that did't reveal the Mystery itself that were prophesied of. Once we understand that, we can understand this passage and many others with perfect clarity. Including the truth that a unique salvation was coming. Return To: Bible Timeline