WHEN IS DIVISION GOOD?: PART TWO

Today, I want to begin giving references for the divisions that need to be recognized in order to understand God's Word. First of all, the stewardship of God's overall revelation must be divided into seven ages or dispensations. Each dispensation is addressed to specific people, who are told what God expects of them. They are given a command, man fails to obey, and God sends judgment upon them. They are:

1. INNOCENCE
The entire human race in the person of Adam (Rom. 5:15-19; 1 Cor. 15:22)
Command: Do not eat of tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9, 16-17)
Judgment: THE FALL

2. CONSCIENCE
The entire human race (Gen. 6:1-7)
Command: Do the right thing (Gen. 4:1-7)
Judgment: THE FLOOD

3. HUMAN GOVERNMENT
The entire human race (Gen. 9-6)
Command: Be fruitful and replenish the Earth (Gen. 9:1)
Judgment: THE SCATTERING

4. THE PROMISED LAND
The descendants of Abraham through Sarah (Gen. 17:19)
Command: Go live in the land I shall show you (Gen. 12:1-3)
Judgment: THE BONDAGE

5. THE LAW (Includes all of Daniel's Seventy Weeks)
The nation of Israel (Ex. 6:1-8 through Jn 19:30)
Command: Obey the law or repent and sacrifice (Ex. through Deut.)
Judgment: THE TIME OF THE GENTILES

6. GRACE (Parenthetical Gap between 69th and 70th week of Daniel)
Whosoever will receive Christ (Rom. 10:9-13)
Command: Love one another (Jn. 17:11, 21-23); Spread the Gospel (Mt. 28:19-20)
Judgment: THE RAPTURE

7. THE MILLENNIUM
All mortals living on Earth
Command: Obey (Rev. 19:15)
Judgment: THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

To be continued, Lord willing.