People in the Bible

We also must discern the different people in the Bible. We cannot apply the word that was spoken to the Jews to the Gentiles or to the church. We also cannot apply words spoken to the Gentiles or to the church to the Jews. In the Bible there are three kinds of people: Jews, Greeks, or Gentiles, and the church (1 Cor. 10:32). Genesis 1:1 through 11:9 (from the creation of Adam to the calling of Abraham) speaks of all humanity. Genesis 11:10 to Malachi 4:6 speaks of the Jews. During this time the church was a hidden mystery (Eph. 3:9-10, 4-5); consequently, only Gentiles are mentioned in addition to the Jews. The four Gospels are a transition from the Jews to the church. Even though the Jews are referenced in the four Gospels, the teachings in the four Gospels mainly concern the believers in the church because the church would shortly be manifested (Matt. 16:18; 18:17). The church is especially emphasized from Acts 1:1 to the end of Revelation 3. During this time the Jewish nation is temporarily set aside, even though God pays attention to Jews and Gentiles as individuals. Jews, Gentiles, and the church are considered together from Revelation 4:1 to the end of chapter 19.

OUTLINE OF THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS

The original world in Genesis 1:1 is covered with water in verse 2, prior to the initiation of God’s dispensations with man.

1. The dispensation of innocence: from the creation of Adam to his being driven out of Eden—at most 130 years:
   1. Man’s original position—vv. 26-29.
   2. Man’s responsibility—2:15-17.
   3. Man’s failure—3:6.
   4. God’s judgment—v. 24.
2. The dispensation of conscience: from the fall of Adam to the flood—1,656 years:
   1. Man’s original position—v. 22a.
   2. Man’s responsibility—4:7a.
   3. Man’s failure—6:5, 11-12.
   4. God’s judgment—7:11-12, 23.
3. The dispensation of human government: from Noah leaving the ark to the tower of Babel—427 years:
   1. Man’s original position—v. 1.
   2. Man’s responsibility—9:6.
   3. Man’s failure—11:1-4.
   4. God’s judgment—vv. 5-8.
4. The dispensation of promise: from the calling of Abraham to the law on Mount Sinai—430 years:
   1. Man’s original position—12:1-3.
   2. Man’s responsibility—26:2-3.
   3. Man’s failure—47:1.
   4. God’s judgment—Exo. 1:8-14.
5. The dispensation of law: from the giving of the law to Moses to John the Baptist’s ministry—1,500 years:
   1. Man’s original position—19:1-4.
   2. Man’s responsibility—vv. 5-6; cf. Gal. 3:12.
   3. Man’s failure—2 Kings 17:7, 17; cf. Acts 2:22-23.
   4. God’s judgment—2 Kings 17:1-6, 24; 25:1-11; cf. Luke 21:20-24.
6. The dispensation of grace: from John the Baptist’s preaching of baptism to Christ’s second coming—1,900+ years:
   1. Man’s original position—19:10; Rom. 3:19, 23.
   2. Man’s responsibility—John 1:12; 3:16.
   3. Man’s failure—Luke 19:12-14; 18:8; Matt. 24:37-39.
   4. God’s judgment—2 Thes. 1:6-9; 2:7-12.
7. The dispensation of the kingdom: from Christ’s second coming to the casting of Satan into the lake of fire—1,000 years:
   1. Man’s original position—Matt. 25:34, 46b.
   2. Man’s responsibility—Zech. 14:16-20.
   3. Man’s failure—Rev. 20:7-9a.
   4. God’s judgment—vv. 9b-10.

At the conclusion of the seven dispensations the world will be burned with fire (2 Pet. 3:10, 12) and there will be a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1).