The Dispensations of God – Do You Have the Correct Perspective?

Prof. Johan Malan, Mossel Bay, South Africa (December 2010)

There is a progressive revelation of God and His plan for the ages in human history on earth since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden until the end of time when humanity will reach its final destination. Seven clear dispensations can be distinguished in the counsel of God, and they are characterised by increasing knowledge of good and evil. As the dispensations follow one another, greater clarity is obtained on the kingdom of Christ which will be revealed in all its glory and splendour at His second coming. At the same time, more detail is given on the opposing kingdom of darkness which will be revealed in all its evil depravity at the time of the coming of the Antichrist.

Although there are certain timeless principles which remain the same in all seven dispensations, e.g. God’s righteousness and His abhorrence of sin, there are also new principles which are introduced to every new dispensation. These differences are often so important that a custom which was highly regarded in one dispensation, e.g. circumcision in the Old Testament, is described as an act of betrayal of Christ during the subsequent dispensation. Paul said to the legalistic Galatians: “I say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).

The seven dispensations in God’s plan of salvation for humanity are the following: