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AGES & DISPENSATIONS BY RYAN HICKS © 1996-1999 Ryan Hicks |
[Brother Hicks' Note: This was taken from a course I wrote for Faith of God Bible College. It is the same as the course except that it lacks the questions at the end. If you would like to enroll in Faith of God Bible College's free accredited degree program then click here.]
In this course we will study ages and dispensations. An age is period of time. We will begin by studying the four basic ages and the five main ages that come out of these four basic ages. The four basic ages are:
The King James accurately reads "world" many times in translating the Greek word aion, which means "a period of time." Many Bible-doubters have claimed that this is an error by the King James translators, but this "error" is only due to their own ignorance of the English language. One of the common meanings of the word "world" is "an age" or "period of time." In each of the verses given below the word "world" is used with the meaning of "a period of time."
The Creative Ages were the ages in the dateless past of eternity in which God created the heavens and the earth (Colossians 1:15-18).
Some Scriptures pertaining to the Creative Ages are:
Romans 16:25
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Corinthians 2:7
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Ephesians 3:9
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
2 Timothy 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 1:2
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Hebrews 1:1-2
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Hebrews 11:3
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
The Past Ages include all ages before the Present Age and all after the Creative Ages, namely the Ante-chaotic Age and the Ante-diluvian Age (both will be explained in detail later).
Ephesians 3:5
Matthew 13:49
Some Scriptures pertaining to the Past Ages are:
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Colossians 1:26
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations , but now is made manifest to his saints:
Some Scriptures referring to the Present Age, the age of grace, are:
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Matthew 28:20
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen
Galatians 1:4
4 [Jesus] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
After the present age will follow the age to come the Millennium. There will follow after that ages and ages forever. The ages upon ages to follow the present age are the future ages.
Mark 10:30
Ephesians 2:6-7
Some Scriptures pertaining to the future ages, specifically the Millennium, are:
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Luke 20:35
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Hebrews 6:5
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:21
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The five main ages that come from the four basic ages are:
7. ARE DISPENSATIONS BIBLICAL?
Should the Christian believe in dispensations? Yes! Every single knowledgeable Christian believes in dispensations, but some may not realize it. All recognize the Old and New Covenants. They understand that God deals differently with people today under the New Testament then He did with those under the Old Testament. So while many claim to not be dispensationalists, if they believe the Bible's teaching on the Old and New Covenants they believe in at least two dispensations: the law and grace.
8. THE DISPENSATIONS
A dispensation is an administration or management of a household or estate; an arrangement or system by which something is managed or administered; a stewardship. The word dispensation comes from the Greek word oikonomia. Oikonomia comes from the two Greek words oikos, a house, and nomos, a law. In reference to God's dealings with free choice agents in each age, a dispensation is a probationary period of time when angels or men are to conform and stay conformed to God's Law and faithfully serve Him. Free choice agents are tested in each dispensation as to whether they will stay faithful to God and administer His Will in their respected habitations.
10. THE NINE DISPENSATIONS
9. THE FIRST DISPENSATION The Dispensation of Angels - from the time of the Earth's creation to the defeat of Lucifer's attempt to dethrone God.
11. THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS OF MAN
12. THE SECOND DISPENSATION The Dispensation of Innocence - from the creation of man to the Fall of man and the expulsion from the garden (Genesis 2:15-3:21) 13. THE THIRD DISPENSATION
15. THE FIFTH DISPENSATION
16. THE SIXTH DISPENSATION
17. THE SEVENTH DISPENSATION
18. THE EIGTH DISPENSATION
The Dispensation of Divine Government - from the Second Coming of Christ to the New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 19:11-20:15).
19. THE NINTH DISPENSATION
The Dispensation of Faithful Angels and the Redeemed - from the New Heavens and Earth to all eternity without end (Revelation 21-22).
The Greek word oikonomia occurs seven times in the New Testament. It is translated "dispensation" four times (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2; Colossians 1:25), and "stewardship" three times (Luke 16:2-4).
There are a total of nine dispensations revealed in Scripture.
Seven of these nine dispensations are God's dispensational dealings with men, while the other two are God's dispensational dealings with angels (the last also includes redeemed man). The two dispensations of angels occur as the first and last dispensation before and after the seven dispensations of man. Each of the seven dispensations of man begin favorably with a test for man to stay true to God or rebel against Him, but each end in failure and judgment.
If you keep the Bible truth that there various dispensations in mind when you study the Bible it will help you to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). A failure to correctly assign a Scripture to the correct dispensation causes much confusion and erroneous doctrine. An example would be when people try to apply the law of Moses and the Dispensation of Law to the Dispensation of Grace. Such a incorrect application of God's different dispensational dealings with man can only cause unneeded confusion and much Scripture twisting.
Time Period - Unknown. It was at least enough time to populate the earth with many nations for Lucifer to rule over and eventually weaken (Isaiah 14:12-14). It could have lasted millions or billions of years.
This dispensation is also the same as the Ante-chaotic Age. During this dispensation Lucifer ruled the Earth and the nations of people alive at that time, who we will call the Pre-Adamites because of them existing before Adam (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-17). Other angels ruled various planets in heaven (the starry space, not the Heaven where God dwells) where their thrones are (Ephesians 1:20-21; 3:9-10; 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 12:7-10).
The angels perfectly carried out God's Will on the various planets for ages. The whole universe was completely free from all sin. Man and angels joyfully obeyed their Creator. The angels had laws to obey called "ways" (Ezekiel 28:15) which all, including Lucifer, followed perfectly. Yet, one angel named Lucifer, a beautiful anointed cherub, decided that he would ascend into Heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, would sit upon the mount of the congregation in Heaven, ascend above the heights of the Earth's clouds, and be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:12-14). Lucifer led those he ruled over on earth, the Pre-Adamites, and many of the angels in rebellion against God's Will (Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:18).
God put down Lucifer's rebellion (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18) and flooded the Earth with great floodwaters destroying vegetation, animals, the rebellious Pre-Adamite race that Lucifer ruled over, and the cities of the Pre-Adamites (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:6; Jeremiah 4:23-26; 2 Peter 3:5-8). Lucifer was now condemned before God as a rebel (Isaiah 14:12, 15; Ezekiel 28:18-19; 1 Timothy 3:6). God then prepared hell for the devil and the angels that followed him in rebellion (Matthew 25:41). All free choice agents who rebel against God's word will also have their part in hell with the other rebels (Matthew 13:40, 42; 25:41, 46; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). What exactly happened to the spirits of the Pre-Adamites is not plainly stated, but the distinction between angels and spirits as seen in Acts 23:8-9 may tell us that they are presently the unclean, devil spirits. If this is the case it would perfectly explain a devil's strong desire for a human body to be in, for they are disembodied spirits.
Lucifer and the rebellious angels kingdom's were taken from their control. Lucifer (Satan, the devil) gained back control over the Earth through Adam's transgression (as we will see in our study of the second dispensation). Eventually Satan and the rebellious angels that rebelled then, and continue to do so now, will be cast into hell for eternity (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-12; 20:10). The devil does not rule over hell as many think, rather he will be one of the one's punished in hell for all eternity. Some of the angels are now in hell for various sins, but those who rebelled with Lucifer in the attempt to dethrone God are not there yet unless they committed a sin God thought worthy of torment right now. Some of the angels are there for fornication with women (Genesis 6:1-4; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6-7). God did not bind and cast into hell the angels that rebelled against Him with Lucifer, because they will fight with Michael the Archangel and the angels of Heaven in the middle of the tribulation period (Revelation 12:7-17).
How God offered redemption to the rebellious Pre-Adamites, angels, and Lucifer is unknown, but it is certain that they were offered some way of reconciliation. God desires that no free choice agent perishes, and wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). All of the Pre-Adamites obviously rejected this redemption, because "the world [Greek kosmos, social system] that then was, being overflowed with water perished" (2 Peter 3:6). The majority of the angels obviously rejected this redemption also and are destined for hell (Matthew 25:41). Some of the angels must have responded to the call for redemption and are called with those who did not rebel "the elect angels" (1 Timothy 5:21).
The Dispensation of Angels ended in judgment.
Time Period - unknown. Possibly two days. This being because God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:4), and would not have come through the garden until at least the day after His rest, the eighth day or two days after man was created on day 6. It is doubtful that God would have wasted any time communing with His creation after His day of rest.
Man was created innocent and pure before God (Genesis 1:26-27, 31; 2:7). Man was placed in the garden of Eden, in which he was to care for the garden (Genesis 2:15). Man was to live a happy, prosperous life obeying, loving, and serving his Creator God.
Man was to replenish or refill the now empty Earth (Genesis 1:28). Man was given dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:6). He was to sovereignly care for the garden, and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28). Adam's kingdom and authority was over all the earth, animals, and plants of the earth. Adam was told not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Yet, Eve was deceived and disobeyed the word of God (Genesis 3:1-6; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14). Adam was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), but he also partook of the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:6; Job 31:33; Romans 5:12). They sought to become as "gods" knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5). When Adam and Eve submitted to the devil's will, they delivered their God-given dominion over to Satan (Luke 4:6), and Satan became the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4; Cp. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2).
When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, they became spiritually dead, and later would die physically (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-21). Adam and Eve's disobedience brought death into their lives (Romans 5:12). The human race now has the curse of death, spiritual, physical, and eternal.
Adam and Eve's transgression caused sin, sickness, disease, poverty, lack, want, spiritual death, physical death, trials, and troubles to enter into the world (Genesis 3:16-19; Isaiah 53:4-5, 59:2; Matthew 8:17). These curses are still at work in the children of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Ephesians 2:1-3).
God clothed the first couple with coats of skin, this "sacrificial covering" was God's way of showing man to look forward to the promised Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). This Redeemer would crush Satan and restore man into a right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:18; 1 John 3:8).
The Dispensation of Innocence ended with judgment.
Time Period - 1,656 years. From the fall of man to the 600th year of Noah's life when the flood began (Genesis 3:1-7, 5:1-29, 7:6-11)
God's promise of a Redeemer showed God's love for man even from the beginning. This Redeemer was to bruise the head of the devil, whereas the devil and his children are always in continual battle against the children of the Redeemer (John 15:18-21; James 4:4; 1 John 3:5-10). The devil and his kingdom are in a battle against God and His kingdom (John 15:18-19; 1 John 3:13).
Adam's first sons were twins named Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2). Abel was righteous and Cain was the wicked one (Genesis 4:3-15; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12). This shows that Abel was of the Holy Spirit and Cain was of the devil's spirit. The devil's spirit will end when the "seed of a woman" returns in His glory and "that wicked one" is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 15; 21:8).
Cain and Abel brought offerings unto the Lord (Genesis 4:3-4). Cain's offering was of the earth and was just simply acknowledgment of the Creator (Genesis 4:3). Abel's offering was an offering of atonement, made in faith (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4). God did not respect Cain's offering because it was not done in humility and faith (Genesis 4:5). Abel's offering was acceptable because it was offered in faith (Hebrews 11:4). This rejection by God started the enmity in Cain's heart (Genesis 4:5-7). As Cain slew Abel, the battle between the righteous and the unrighteous began (Genesis 4:8; John 8:44).
Eve gave birth to another son named Seth who was righteous (Genesis 4:25). As Seth was seeking the face of God in faith, Cain and his seed were out of the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:16).
A man named Enoch started walking with the Lord after 65 years of rebellion (Genesis 5:21-22). He was a prophet (Jude 14-15) who named his child "Methuselah." In naming his son this he was prophesying of the coming flood, because "Methuselah" means "when he dies there shall be a flood." Methuselah lived to be 969 years old, which puts his death at the 600th year of Noah's life or the year of the flood (Genesis 7:6, 11).
Cain, Seth, and others descendants of Adam's corruption became so great that the whole earth was filled with wickedness (Genesis 6:5, 11-12). Men did not want God or righteousness. The Lord saw this and decided to destroy the world with a flood (Genesis 6:13, 17). Among all this wickedness one righteous man was found, whose name was Noah (Genesis 6:8; 7:1). Through Noah, his wife, his three sons, and his sons wives were saved from wrath (Genesis 7:7; 1 Peter 3:20).
The Dispensation of Conscience also ended in judgment.
Time Period - 427 years. From Noah's Flood to Abraham's 75th year of life
The Flood lasted one year and ten days (Genesis 7:11; 8:14). Noah and his family were on the Ark for one year and seventeen days (Genesis 7:10-11; 8:14). The first thing Noah did after leaving the ark was to build an alter and offer a great offering unto the Lord (Genesis 8:20). That offering pleased the Lord, and He made a covenant with Noah and all living creatures for perpetual generations, that He would never destroy the earth with a flood again (Genesis 8:21-22; 9:12-17). Noah and his sons were blessed by God and told to refill the earth (Genesis 9:1). Then the death penalty was instituted for those who shed the blood of another man (Genesis 9:5-6). God's covenant was symbolized by a rainbow in the heavens (Genesis 9:13).
God reinstituted the command to replenish or refill the earth (Genesis 9:1) as He did with Adam and Eve after the flood of Lucifer (Genesis 1:28). The human race was starting over again and building a repopulated world for God. The earth was being repopulated by Noah's three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their descendants (Genesis 9:18-19).
The human race had an understanding of God as Judge and Redeemer. Yet, man eventually became wicked and was at enmity with God.
Through prophecy, Noah spoke blessings and curses over his three sons (Genesis 9:25-27). Ham's descendants would be a servile race (Genesis 9:25). Shem's would be blessed (Genesis 9:26). Japheth was to enlarge in position (Genesis 9:27). This all came to pass just as Noah said in prophecy.
During the repopulating of the earth, men were supposed to disperse themselves over the whole earth (Genesis 11:4, 8-9). Men looked past God's will, and through pride and self, gathered in the plains of Shinar to build a great city and tower, and to make for themselves a great name (Genesis 11:1-4). This was to be an area where they could stay unseparated, united, and glorify themselves (Genesis 11:4).
God was very displeased with man's disobedience, and confused the tongues of the builders (Genesis 11:9). Up till that time, the earth spoke only one language (Genesis 11:1). The confusion of languages was God's method to compel men to separate and fill the earth. The earth's existing languages belong to the families of Noah: Shem, Japheth, Ham, and their descendents.
The Dispensation of Human Government ended with judgment.
Time Period - 430 years. From Abram's (Abraham's) call at age 75 to the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:40; Galatians 3:14-17). Said to be 400 years if counted from the confirmation of Isaac by God and the casting out of Ishmael (Genesis 15:3; 21:9-12; Acts 7:6; Galatians 4:30).
After the dispersion, Ham's descendant, Nimrod, founded the early Babylonian Empire (Genesis 10:8-10). Though men were progressing in other areas of life, religion was becoming corrupt and idolatrous. Eventually men forsook God, and invented gods of their own.
As idolatry was spreading across the land, God chose a man through which He might preserve pure and undefiled faith in God (Genesis 12:1-3). The man He called was a man named Abram (name later changed to Abraham by God in Genesis 17:5) of Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:26-28). Abraham's city was devoted to the moon-god in which even Abraham's father, Terah (Genesis 11:26, 31), worshipped (2 Kings 19:12; Joshua 24:2).
God commanded Abraham when he was 75 years old to leave his country and all his kindred to a land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). The land where God called Abraham was to be the land in which He and his children and their seed would dwell forever (Genesis 12:7; 13:14-17; 15:18-21; 17:8). All families on the earth were to be blessed through Abraham and his seed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; Galatians 3:8).
Through Abraham would come the Redeemer, "the seed of a woman" (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:1-16; Galatians 3:16). God's promise of Abraham's having seed took years. Abraham's wife Sarah suggested that he help God out with the promise and take Hagar, a bond-maid, in whom would give birth to Abraham's seed (Genesis 16:2).
Hagar gave birth to a son who was named Ishmael (Genesis 16:11). After Ishmael was born, fourteen years passed before Isaac the son of promise was miraculously born (Genesis 17:1, 25; 21:1-5). Isaac had his father's strong faith and would renew the Abrahamic covenant.
Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:24-26). Jacob bought Esau's birthright, which caused strife between the brothers which was seen throughout the history of the chosen people (Genesis 25:29-34). Esau was father of the Edomites who were a constant source of trouble to Jacob's descendants the Israelites (Genesis 27:41; Numbers 20:14-21; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14; 2 Kings 8:20-27; Ezekiel 25:12-14).
God changed Jacob's name to Israel, meaning "a prince with God", from Jacob, meaning "cheater" (Genesis 32:38). Jacob had twelve children (Genesis 35:21-26), in which Joseph was his favorite (Genesis 37:3). Joseph's brothers hated him and eventually sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:3-4, 18-28). God prospered Joseph in everything he did (Genesis 39:2-3). Twenty years after Joseph was sold, a famine caused Jacob and his family to settle in Egypt at Joseph's invitation (Genesis 41:53-57; 46:1-7). After Jacob and Joseph's death, a king arose that oppressed and attempted to destroy the Hebrew people (Genesis 49:33-50:26; Exodus 1:8-14).
During this time of bondage, a baby named Moses was born who was to deliver his people (Exodus 2-3). Moses was hid and then discovered by a daughter of Pharaoh (Exodus 2:1-6, Acts 7:21). She named him Moses, and Moses lived in Pharaoh's courts for forty years (Exodus 2:10; Acts 7:23-24).
At the age of forty, Moses was determined to see his people, the Hebrews, free. Many miracles were done at the hand of Moses in order to persuade Pharaoh into letting the children of Israel go, yet Pharaoh continued to harden his heart (Exodus 5:1-11:10). God instituted the Passover in which all the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast, would die that night (Exodus 12:1-14, 29-30). The deaths of the firstborn of Egypt compelled Pharaoh to let God's people go (Exodus 12:29-31). The children of Israel were finally free!
The Dispensation of Promise ends in the judgment of Egypt and Israel's freedom from bondage and oppression.
Time Period - About 1,718 years. From the Exodus from Egypt to the preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:12-13; Luke 16:16)
After their journey from Egypt, Moses was given the Ten Commandments and plans for the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 20; 25; 30:1-31:11; 35).
Moses sent twelve men to check out the Promised Land (Numbers 13:17-33). Ten of them came back with an "evil" report (Numbers 13:32), and only two men, Joshua and Caleb, believed God's word (Numbers 13:30). These ten men did not believe that God would help them get the land so they suffered for forty years in the wilderness.
Moses had ordained Joshua as leader of Israel (Numbers 27:15-23), and after Moses' death, God raised up Joshua as his successor (Joshua 1). Joshua would be the one to lead Israel into the promised land (Joshua 3). Although Israel served God under Joshua (Judges 2:7), eventually the next generation backslid and God raised up "judges" over Israel (Judges 2:10-16).
After several hundred years of judges, the Israelites demanded a king in which Saul was the second actual king set up over Israel (1 Sam. 11:1-13:1), Moses being the first king (Deuteronomy 33:5). Saul was the first king set up by the request of Israel. Saul reigned for forty years (Acts 13:21) in which David, God's servant, took Saul's place as king (2 Sam. 5:1-3). David also reigned forty years (2 Sam. 5:4-5) and then his son, Solomon, took over as king (1 Kings 1:28-53). Solomon reigned for forty years (1 Kings 11:42). Solomon was the wisest man to live (1 Kings 3:10-12), beside Jesus (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31), but he eventually turned his heart to other gods and was lost again.
Rehoboan, Solomon's son, became king and heavily oppressed the Israelites (1 Kings 11:43). Eventually the kingdom split into the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 12).
The kingdom of Israel lasted two-hundred and fifty years. Israel was idolatrous and not one of their nineteen kings was godly.
The kingdom of Judah lasted one-hundred and thirty-five years after the fall of Israel. Judah had nineteen kings and one queen. The end came with the destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of the people.
The Babylonian Empire came to an end and the Jews returned from Babylon in three separate expeditions. These three expeditions were led by Jerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. During this time, God raised up prophets such as Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These prophets spoke that God would restore Israel to their God.
Jesus was God Almighty made flesh (John 1:1-14). He was the chosen Redeemer of all mankind (Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12). Through His life and then death on the cross, and resurrection, man can enter into fellowship with the God they so often rebelled against.
The Dispensation of Law ended in the judgment of sin on the cross at Calvary.
Time Period - Unknown amount of time. From the day of Pentecost when the 120 were baptized in the Holy Ghost in about A.D. 33 to the Second Coming of Christ.
After Jesus' ascension (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9), the disciples tarried ten days in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-2:1), the baptism in the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-5). After they received the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4), the world was turned upside down because of the Holy Ghost boldness of these believers (Acts 2-28).
During church history, the church fell away and entered into "the Dark Ages". The Reformation brought the church from death to life and brought a Revival. Today's church relies heavily on the influence of God's people during the Reformation.
The Dispensation of Grace ends at least 7 years after the Rapture of the church (in which believers both alive and dead will be caught up into heaven with the Lord) occurs. The fleshly body will put on incorruptible, resurrected, spirit body which will not be tainted with sin and sin's effects.
After this the Antichrist will be revealed and he will take the Old Roman Empire into the Tribulation Period. During this time, Jesus will return with His glorious church and he will destroy the Antichrist and all of his followers.
The Dispensation of Grace will end in judgment.
Time Period - 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-6)
Jesus completed God's plan for man by being the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head. After this Dispensation Jesus will reign forever and ever. The kingdoms of this world will be the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15).
There will be no war or curse upon man anymore (Revelation 20:4). All of the beauty of the earth will be restored and peace shall reign over the hearts of men and beast. Then Jesus shall be a channel of blessing and evangelism during the Millennial Kingdom.
After one-thousand years of peace, Satan will be loosed and influence the earth. Satan brings a revolt of natural men against God (Revelation 20:7-10). This is the devil's last deception and it is quickly brought to an end with the devil being cast into the Lake of Fire.
All throughout time, God has been trying to bless His people. Even through all the rebellion, witchcraft, idolatry, and sin God has been merciful. Through Jesus Christ men are set free from all sin, guilt, and rebellion against God.
The last scene is the Resurrection of the wicked (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:6, 12-13). The book of life is opened and whosoever's name that is not found in it is doomed to punishment in the Lake of Fire, which is the "Second Death" (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15).
The Dispensation of Divine Government ends with the Final Judgment of the wicked and The Great White Throne.
Time Period - "for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:5).
This dispensation is also the Age of the Ages. In this dispensation redeemed man, elect angels, and elect natural man will help administer God's Will for the entire universe with God for all eternity (Psalm 8:3-6; Revelation 22:5).
The author and propagator of sin will be bound in eternal hell to be punished with the other rebellious free choice agents for all eternity (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15). There will be no sin or rebellion in this eternal age upon ages to come, and all the children born to the eternal generations of natural men will be born without any trace or stain of sin.
In these eternal ages God will "shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7), and will restore all to "the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).
The Dispensation of Faithful Angels and the Redeemed will never end, but will continue through multiple ages upon ages, for all eternity.
