What Are The 7 Dispensations In The Bible?
The concept of dispensations in the Bible refers to how God relates to humans during different periods of history. Dispensations reveal God’s unfolding plan of salvation throughout the ages. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The 7 dispensations in the Bible are Innocence, Conscience, Government, Promise, Law, Grace, and Millennial Kingdom.
In this comprehensive 3000 word guide, we will explore what dispensations are, the 7 dispensations found in Scripture, the timeline of each dispensation, key people, covenants, and major events. We will also look at the differences between each period and how God interacted with humanity during the different dispensational eras.
What Are Dispensations in the Bible?
A dispensation in the Bible refers to a period of time in which God relates to human beings in a particular way. According to dispensationalism, a Christian theological framework, history is divided into different eras or ages in which God tests humans under different covenantal requirements.
Dispensationalists believe the Bible reveals at least seven distinct dispensations spanning from the creation to the eternal state.
Definition of a Biblical Dispensation
The word “dispensation” comes from the Greek word oikonomia, meaning “management,” “administration,” or “stewardship.” A dispensation is the administration of a covenant between God and man for a particular period of time in which man is to live up to specific responsibilities before God.
If man succeeds, God blesses him. If man fails, God judges him. Dispensations define man’s responsibilities during human history as it is recorded in the Bible.
Purpose of Biblical Dispensations
According to dispensationalism, each dispensation ends in failure. Humans are unable to live up to their responsibilities and keep their covenantal promises to God. Dispensations demonstrate the progress of God’s revelation to humans over different eras and our inability to be righteous.
The changing dispensations show that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone – not through human effort or merits.
Dispensations also display God’s sovereignty in dealing with mankind in different ways at different times. The cumulative effects of the dispensations ultimately display God’s glory. As each dispensation comes to a close, it becomes clear that human inability requires divine intervention.
Each dispensation prepares the way for the next stage of God’s salvific plan.
Here are the dispensations in chronological order according to standard dispensationalism theology:
- Innocence – From creation to the Fall in Genesis 3
- Conscience – From the Fall to the Flood in Genesis 6-8
- Human Government – From the Flood to the dispersion at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11
- Promise – From Abraham to Mount Sinai and the giving of the Law in Exodus 19
- Law – From Mount Sinai to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
- Grace – From Pentecost in Acts 2 to the rapture of the church
- Millennial Kingdom – The 1000 year reign of Christ on earth after His second coming
The dispensations doctrine has been an influential framework for interpreting the Bible throughout church history. Understanding the different ages and God’s unique dealings with humanity in each period provides insight into Scripture and God’s eternal plan.
The 7 Dispensations in the Bible
Dispensation of Innocence – Creation to Original Sin
This dispensation spanned from the creation of Adam and Eve up until their fall into sin by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 1:28-3:24). During this period, humanity lived in a state of innocence and had unbroken fellowship with God.
This dispensation represents the ideal relationship between God and humans before the entrance of sin.
Dispensation of Conscience – Fall to Flood
After Adam and Eve sinned, humanity entered a new period where people were tested on the basis of their obedience to the voice of conscience. This period is seen in Genesis 3:24-8:22 and is characterized by humanity’s early failures to follow God and widespread wickedness, culminating in the global flood.
Noah stands out as faithful to God during this dispensation.
Dispensation of Human Government – Flood to Abraham
With Noah and his family surviving the flood, God established the principle of human government after the flood (Genesis 8:20-11:32). God delegated authority to humans to establish governing authorities to restrain evil.
However, humans again failed to submit to God’s authority, seeking to “make a name” for themselves by building the Tower of Babel.
Dispensation of Promise – Abraham to Moses
Beginning with Abraham, God formed a chosen people through whom He made unconditional covenants (Genesis 12:1-Exodus 19:25). God promised Abraham land and blessings through his descendants, and this covenant bore the lineage leading to the Messiah.
The dispensation of promise guides God’s people today as spiritual descendants of Abraham by faith.
Dispensation of Law – Moses to Christ
The dispensation of law began when God gave Moses the Law for the Jewish people (Exodus 20:1-Acts 2:4). God provided detailed legal codes and regulations for worship, sacrifices, social conduct, cleanliness, and more. Law exposed sin while pointing forward to the need for Christ.
This dispensation showed that law alone cannot change hearts.
Dispensation of Grace – Pentecost to the Rapture
The current church age centers on salvation by God’s grace rather than adherence to the Law (Acts 2:1-Revelation 19:21). With Christ’s death and resurrection, both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace through faith rather than works.
Believers have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit during this period. The rapture will initiate the transition to the next dispensation.
Dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom – Second Coming of Christ
After the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return physically to establish his millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:1-6). This 1,000 year reign will fulfill the prophecies regarding God’s promise to restore Israel as a nation and Christ’s authority over the earth from Jerusalem.
Evil will be suppressed during this time, and peace and justice will rule.
Timeline of the 7 Dispensations
According to many Bible scholars, human history can be divided into seven distinct periods called “dispensations.” Each dispensation represents a different way God interacts with humanity and establishes requirements for living. Here is a brief overview of the seven dispensations found in Scripture:
1. Innocence – Adam and Eve (Genesis 1-3)
This dispensation begins with the creation of Adam and Eve and ends with their fall into sin in the Garden of Eden. During this time, humans had direct fellowship with God and were given only one command – not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
This dispensation represents the sinless state of humanity before the fall.
2. Conscience – After the Fall (Genesis 4-8)
After Adam and Eve sinned, humanity was left in a state of imperfection. People had to follow their conscience to know right from wrong. This period ends with the Great Flood during Noah’s time. Widespread immorality and violence filled the earth, showing that conscience alone was not enough to restrain sin.
3. Human Government – After the Flood (Genesis 9-11)
After the Flood, humanity once again had the chance to follow God. As people spread out and formed nations, God instituted human government to maintain order and punish wrongdoing. But the rebellion at the Tower of Babel showed the failure of human rule without God.
This dispensation ends with God dividing people into different language groups.
4. Promise – Abraham to Moses (Genesis 12-Exodus)
Beginning with Abraham, God formed the Israelites as His chosen people. He made a covenant with Abraham, promising blessings and land to his descendants. The dispensation of promise emphasizes God’s unconditional covenant with His people.
Israel was to trust and obey God, even before they possessed the land. This period ends when Moses leads Israel out of Egypt.
5. Law – Moses to Christ (Exodus – Matthew)
God gave Israel the Mosaic Law after rescuing them from Egypt. Very specific laws taught Israel how to live as God’s people. Strict obedience brought blessings, and disobedience brought punishment. The dispensation of law shows that Israel failed to keep God’s commands perfectly.
It reveals humanity’s need for salvation by grace rather than works.
6. Grace – Christ to the Rapture (Acts – Revelation 3)
This present dispensation begins with Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone. The Holy Spirit indwells all believers, helping them grow in grace. Believers have a greater responsibility to live by the Spirit rather than laws.
This period ends with the Rapture of the church.
7. Millennial Kingdom – Christ’s Reign on Earth (Revelation 4-20)
After the Tribulation judgments on earth, Jesus Christ will return and reign for 1,000 years. This literal millennial kingdom fulfills the prophecies of Christ ruling on David’s throne. The dispensation of the kingdom demonstrates God’s ideal rule on earth before the eternal state begins.
Saints will rule and reign with Christ.
Examining Scripture through the lens of dispensations helps us understand God’s unfolding plan. While each dispensation brings changes, God always provides the grace and help needed for that particular time.
Ultimately, the dispensations tell the grand story of God’s redeeming work culminating in the return of Christ.
Key People, Covenants, and Events in Each Dispensation
Innocence – Adam, Eve, Creation, Fall
In the Dispensation of Innocence, God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-2). This was a time of innocence when humanity lived in perfect communion with God. However, Adam and Eve fell into sin by eating the forbidden fruit, breaking their fellowship with God (Genesis 3).
Key people: Adam and Eve. Key events: Creation, the Fall.
Conscience – Cain, Abel, Noah, Flood
In the Dispensation of Conscience, humanity was left to govern themselves through their conscience, but wickedness increased on the earth. Key people included Cain, who murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4), and Noah, the only righteous man found by God (Genesis 6).
God judged the world’s wickedness with a global Flood, but spared Noah and his family (Genesis 6-9).
Human Government – Nimrod, Tower of Babel
After the Flood, God told Noah’s descendants to fill the earth but they disobeyed and settled in Babylon. Under the leadership of Nimrod, they built the Tower of Babel to make a name for themselves (Genesis 11).
God scattered them across the earth by confusing their languages – the origin of different people groups and cultures.
Promise – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
In the Dispensation of Promise, God made a covenant with Abraham to bless all nations through his offspring (Genesis 12, 15, 17). Key recipients of the covenant promises were Abraham’s son Isaac, his grandson Jacob (also called Israel), and great-grandson Joseph who became a leader in Egypt.
Law – Moses, Joshua, Jewish nation, Ten Commandments, Tabernacle
In the Dispensation of Law, God gave the Ten Commandments and other laws to the Jewish people through Moses (Exodus 19-31). Joshua led them into the Promised Land (Joshua 1-24). Key aspects of this period include the Tabernacle/Temple, priests, sacrifices, and purification laws.
The nation of Israel was to obey God’s laws as part of their covenant relationship.
Grace – Jesus, Church, Great Commission, Holy Spirit
The Dispensation of Grace began with Jesus Christ’s life, death for sins, and resurrection (John 1:17). Christ’s followers spread the Gospel message (Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20) through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
Key aspects include salvation by God’s grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). With the completed New Testament, believers now live by faith with Christ as their standard.
Millennial Kingdom – Second Coming of Christ, Binding of Satan
The future Dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom will begin when Jesus Christ returns bodily to earth (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16). He will defeat His enemies, restore Israel, rule the world from David’s throne for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-6), and bring peace and justice.
At the end, Satan will be released for a time and then thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10).
Differences Between the Dispensations
The Bible outlines seven different dispensations, or periods of time, that God deals with humans in different ways. While God’s character remains constant, His methods and expectations shift across the various dispensations. Understanding the differences helps provide clarity on God’s unfolding plan.
Innocence
The dispensation of innocence spans Genesis 1-3, covering Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden. They relate with God directly with no mediators and have one command to not eat the forbidden fruit. This period ends with the first sin, introducing death and requiring blood sacrifices.
Conscience
Lasting from Genesis 4-8, the dispensation of conscience has no government or commands from God. People must intuitively know right from wrong. This era concludes as wickedness spreads throughout humanity, requiring government for restraint.
Human Government
Encompassing Genesis 9-11, the age of human government is defined by capital punishment for murderers and the command to replenish the earth. It finishes with the rebellion against God by building the Tower of Babel.
Promise
Spanning Genesis 12-Exodus 18, this period centers on the Abrahamic covenant as God unconditionally promises land and blessings to Abraham and his descendants. The dispensation of promise ends as the Israelites reject God’s voice at Mt. Sinai.
Law
Lasting from Exodus 19-Acts 1, the age of the law contains the Mosaic covenant given at Mt. Sinai with its 613 commandments. God blesses conditional obedience and curses disobedience to the law. It concludes with Israel rejecting their Messiah.
Grace
The current church age, spanning Acts 2-Revelation 19, is marked by justification by faith alone. With the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers, both Jews and Gentiles are united in one body in Christ. This era will end with the rapture of the church.
Millennial Kingdom
The 1,000 year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 follows the tribulation period. Satan is bound as Israel returns to prominence under a theocratic kingdom. This dispensation ends with Satan’s final rebellion before the eternal state begins.
While the dispensations build on one another, understanding how God relates to humanity differently provides framework for properly interpreting and applying Scripture. Recognizing these distinctions helps contextualize God’s unfolding plan.
Conclusion
The 7 major dispensations in Scripture reveal God’s unfolding plan from creation to eternity. While each period involves unique responsibilities, covenants, and interactions between God and humanity, His redemptive purpose remains unchanged.
Appreciating the dispensations enhances our understanding of progressive revelation in the Bible.