Understanding the Bible by Dispensations

God’s Purpose and Plan in the Bible

The Bible reveals God’s plan to glorify Himself through His creation, particularly humanity, by redeeming them from sin and restoring them to fellowship with Him. His ultimate purpose is to unite all things under Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10).

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Old Testament: Foundation of God’s Plan

The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding God’s relationship with humanity and His redemptive plan through covenants, promises, and key events.

1. Creation and the Fall (Dispensation of Innocence and Conscience)

• Purpose: God’s purpose in creation was to create a perfect world and fellowship with humanity.
• Major Events:
  • Creation: God creates the universe, humanity (Adam and Eve), and declares all is good (Genesis 1–2).
  • The Fall: Sin enters the world as Adam and Eve disobey God (Genesis 3). Humanity’s need for salvation begins.
• Key People: Adam and Eve.
• Key Prophecy: Protoevangelium – God promises a Savior who will crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15).

 

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2. The Flood and the Spread of Nations (Dispensation of Human Government)

• Purpose: To judge humanity’s wickedness and preserve a remnant through Noah.
• Major Events:
  • The Flood: God judges the world with a flood but saves Noah and his family (Genesis 6–9).
  • Tower of Babel: God scatters people to limit their prideful rebellion (Genesis 11).
• Key People: Noah and his family.
• Key Prophecy: God promises never to destroy the earth by flood and establishes the rainbow covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17).

 

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3. The Abrahamic Covenant (Dispensation of Promise)

• Purpose: God establishes a covenant with Abraham to create a nation through which the Messiah would come.
• Major Events:
  • Call of Abraham: God promises to bless Abraham, give him land, and make his descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-8).
  • Isaac’s Birth: The child of promise foreshadows God’s faithfulness (Genesis 21).
• Key People: Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob (Israel).
• Key Prophecy: The Messiah, a descendant of Abraham, will bless all nations (Genesis 22:18).

 

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4. Exodus and the Law (Dispensation of Law)

• Purpose: God delivers Israel from slavery, establishes the Mosaic covenant, and gives His law.
• Major Events:
  • The Exodus: God delivers Israel from Egypt through Moses (Exodus 1–14).
  • The Ten Commandments: God gives the law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).
  • The Tabernacle: God establishes a dwelling among His people (Exodus 25–40).
• Key People: Moses, Pharaoh.
• Key Prophecy: Moses prophesies the coming of a prophet like him (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

 

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5. The Kings and Prophets

• Purpose: God establishes Israel as a nation, warns them of disobedience, and promises restoration.
• Major Events:
  • David’s Throne: God promises David an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
  • Exile: Israel and Judah are judged for sin and taken into exile (2 Kings 17; 2 Kings 25).
  • Return: God restores a remnant to Israel under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 1–10; Nehemiah 1–7).
• Key People: David, Solomon, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.
• Key Prophecy:
  • The coming of the Messiah as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53).
  • The new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

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New Testament: Fulfillment of God’s Plan

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, the establishment of the Church, and the promise of eternal restoration.

1. Jesus’ Life, Death, and Resurrection (Dispensation of Grace)

• Purpose: Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecies, provides salvation through His death and resurrection, and inaugurates the New Covenant.
• Major Events:
  • The Incarnation: Jesus, God in the flesh, is born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25).
  • Christ’s Ministry: Jesus preaches the kingdom of God, performs miracles, and calls disciples (Matthew 4–25).
  • The Crucifixion: Jesus dies for humanity’s sins, fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 27; Isaiah 53).
  • The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead, defeating sin and death (Matthew 28; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
• Key People: Jesus, Mary, the apostles.
• Key Prophecy: Jesus is the promised Messiah (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-21).

 

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2. The Church and the Holy Spirit

• Purpose: To spread the gospel and establish God’s spiritual kingdom on earth.
• Major Events:
  • Pentecost: The Holy Spirit descends on believers, inaugurating the Church Age (Acts 2).
  • The Spread of the Gospel: The apostles evangelize, establishing churches across the Roman Empire (Acts, Epistles).
• Key People: Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Timothy.
• Key Prophecy: The gospel will be preached to all nations before the end comes (Matthew 24:14).

 

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3. The End Times (Dispensation of Kingdom)

• Purpose: God completes His redemptive plan, bringing eternal justice and restoration.
• Major Events:
  • The Return of Christ: Jesus will return to judge the world and establish His kingdom (Revelation 19–20).
  • New Heavens and Earth: God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21–22).
• Key Prophecy:
  • The Second Coming of Christ (Zechariah 14:4-9; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 19:11-16).
  • The eternal reign of Jesus as King (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15).

Summary by Dispensational Periods

1. Innocence (Genesis 1–3): Creation and the Fall.
2. Conscience (Genesis 4–8): Humanity’s sin progresses, leading to the flood.
3. Human Government (Genesis 9–11): God establishes human authority but scatters prideful nations.
4. Promise (Genesis 12–Exodus 19): The Abrahamic covenant.
5. Law (Exodus 20–Acts 1): The Mosaic covenant and Israel’s history.
6. Grace (Acts 2–Revelation 19): The Church Age.
7. Kingdom (Revelation 20–22): The millennial reign of Christ and eternal glory.

 

This overview captures the broad arc of God’s purpose and plan as revealed through Scripture. Each period and event demonstrates His redemptive work and ultimate goal of restoring creation to Himself.