God has given different dispensations of His grace over different periods of time. Dispensations can be generally divided by time periods but they don’t represent time. They are differentiated by the covenants God instituted with individuals, families or nations. Peter S. Ruckman outlines seven main dispensations in the Bible.
- Innocence: From the creation of Adam and Eve to their fall.
- Conscience: From the fall of man to the Great Flood.
- Human Government: From the Great Flood to the call of Abraham.
- Promise: From the call of Abraham to the giving of the Mosaic Law.
- Law: From the giving of the Mosaic Law to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
- Grace (or Church Age): From the ministry of Jesus Christ to the Rapture.
- Kingdom (or Millennium): The thousand-year reign of Christ on earth following the Tribulation.
Additionally, Ruckman identifies two “transition periods” that bridge these main dispensations:
The Tribulation: A transition from the Church Age to the Kingdom, during which God deals with the nation of Israel to bring about their conversion.
The Gospel Ministry of Jesus: A transition from Law to Grace.