3. The Dispensation of Human Governments.  From the flood to the call of Abraham, Gen. 10-12.  God gave the eight persons saved from the flood power to govern the renewed earth.  The time covered, B. C. 2348-1921.= 427 years.

4. The Dispensation of Promise.  From Abraham to the giving of the law.  Gen. 12-Ex.19.  God promised Abraham land, natural seed, spiritual seed and other conditional promises.  For the sake of study, this dispensation is divided into two sections. (1) Abraham and the chosen people, Gen. 12:50. (2) Moses and the Exodus, Ex. 1-19.  The time covered, B. C. 1921-1491=430 years.

5.  The Dispensation of the Law.  From Sinai to Calvary or from Exodus to the cross, Ex. 20-John 21.  The history of Israel in the wilderness and their lapses into idolatry and their other sins while in Canaan, their captivity by Babylon and final dispersion are evidences of their failure in this dispensation.  All of the Old Testament was written during this period.  The time covered, B. C. 1491-A.  D. 34=1525 years.

6.  The Dispensation of Grace.  From Calvary to the second coming of Christ, Act 8-Rev. Grace is God giving instead of requiring righteousness.  It is unmerited favor.  During this dispensation, perfect and eternal salvation is fully offered to both Jews and Gentiles upon the condition of faith.  It will end with the destruction of the wicked.  The time covered is not known.

7.  The Dispensation of the Kingdom.  The Millennium (1000).  Directions for Study. (1) Drill the class on the names of dispensations, the portion of scripture included and the period of time covered. (2) Have each student to select for himself some prominent person or historical event found in each dispensation with which he will familiarize himself.

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Chapter VII.

Ages and Periods of Biblical History.

Bible history is commonly divided into the following ages or periods according to the purpose to be served or the minuteness of the study to be taken.

Seven Ages.

  1.  The Adamic Age.  Gen. 1-8-From the creation to the flood.

2.  The Noachian Age, Gen. 9-11-From the flood to the call of Abraham.

3.  The Abrahamic Age, Gen. 12-Ex. 19-From the call of Abraham to the giving of the law.

4.  The Mosaic Age, Ex. 20-1 Sam. 31-From the giving of the Law to the reign of David.

5.  The Davidic Age. 2 Sam. 1-2 Kings 25-From David’s ascension to the throne to the restoration.

6.  The Ezraitic Age.  Ezra-Mal.-From the restoration to the birth of Christ.

7.  The Christian Age.  Matt-Rev.-From the birth to the second coming of Christ.

Fifteen Historical Periods.

1. The Ante-diluvian Period, From the creation to the flood.  Gen. 1-6.  The time covered, B. C. 4004 minus 2348 equal 1656 years.

2. The Post-diluvian Period.  From the flood to the call of Abraham.  Gen. 7-11.  Time covered, B. C. 2348 minus 1921 equal 427 years.