The broad sweep of history is neither random nor chaotic. The Bible reveals that God is working all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11). He has superintended history in a series of ages or eras, and has allotted to each period a distinctive set of administrative principles. The Bible describes God as “the King of the ages” (1 Tim 1:17) who is working out “the purpose of the ages” (Eph 3:11).
This chart of the 7 dispensations sets out the Biblical view of history. God’s eventual goal in the seventh dispensation is to place the whole universe under His beloved Son in manhood, with the Church in union with Him as His body. That is to say, the Millennial kingdom will be administered by Jesus Christ, in whom God will head up all things (Eph 1:10). This end point of God’s prophetic plan occurs “within history”, in what is called “the fullness of times” (Eph 1:10), otherwise know as the Millennium.
Chart of the 7 Dispensations in JPEG
Chart of the 7 Dispensations in PDF
Michael J. Penfold
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