| Dispensation | Covenant(s) | Scripture (KJV) | Man’s Responsibility | Test | Failure | Judgment | Next Stage |
| 1. Innocence | Edenic Covenant | Genesis 1:28–30; 2:15–17 | Obey God, tend the Garden, avoid forbidden tree | Obedience regarding Tree of Knowledge | Ate the fruit (Gen. 3:6) | Death; curse; expulsion from Eden (Gen. 3:16–24) | Dispensation of Conscience (Adamic Covenant) |
| 2. Conscience | Adamic Covenant | Genesis 3:14–19 | Live by conscience in a fallen world | Offerings, obedience to God’s voice | Wickedness filled the earth (Gen. 6:5) | Global Flood (Gen. 7) | Dispensation of Human Government (Noahic Covenant) |
| 3. Human Government | Noahic Covenant | Genesis 9:1–17 | Spread over the earth, govern righteously | Obedience to God’s commands post-flood | Tower of Babel rebellion (Gen. 11:4) | Confusion of tongues; scattering (Gen. 11:7–9) | Dispensation of Promise (Abrahamic Covenant) |
| 4. Promise | Abrahamic Covenant | Genesis 12:1–3; 15; 17 | Dwell in the land by faith | Trust God’s promises | Israel went to Egypt, eventual bondage | Egyptian captivity | Dispensation of Law (Mosaic Covenant) |
| 5. Law | Mosaic Covenant | Exodus 19–24 | Keep the Law (ceremonial, civil, moral) | Obedience to God’s law | Persistent idolatry, disobedience | Exile, scattering of Israel | Dispensation of Grace (New Covenant in Christ’s blood) |
| 6. Grace | New Covenant (in Christ’s blood) | Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8 | Salvation by grace through faith | Faith in Christ, obedience to Gospel | World rejection of Christ | Great Tribulation (Rev. 6–19) | Dispensation of Kingdom (Millennial Kingdom) |
| 7. Kingdom | Davidic Covenant fulfilled; New Covenant fully realized | 2 Samuel 7; Jeremiah 31; Revelation 20–22 | Submission to Christ’s reign on earth | Obedience to the King (Messiah) | Satan’s final rebellion after 1,000 years (Rev. 20:7–9) |
Dispensational Timeline with Covenants
The content outlines seven dispensations in biblical history, each defined by a covenant that establishes man’s responsibility and subsequent failures. From the Edenic Covenant’s innocence to the Kingdom’s fulfillment, these stages highlight humanity’s obedience and disobedience, leading to judgment and the ultimate hope found in Christ’s grace.
Discover more from Nathan A. Hughes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a comment