IITS DISPENSATIONAL COURSE

Introduction:

• Represents the prelapsarian state, untainted by sin.
• Rooted in the theological concept of original innocence.

Characteristics:

• Childlike purity and lack of moral awareness.
• Harmony with God and creation.

Symbols:

• Innocent creatures like lambs symbolize purity.
• The Garden of Eden signifies the perfect environment.

End of Innocence:

• Associated with the Fall in Genesis 3.
• Genesis 3:6-7: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.”

Duration:

• Begins with the creation of Adam and Eve.
• Ends with disobedience and the Fall.

Scripture:

• Genesis 2:25: “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
• Genesis 3:22-23: “And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'”

Theological Insight:

The innocent age reflects humanity’s initial state of communion with God, disrupted by disobedience. Understanding this phase is crucial for appreciating the theological narrative of redemption and restoration.

Introduction:

• Follows the Innocent Age and precedes the Law Age.
• Characterized by human conscience as a moral guide.

Characteristics:

• Knowledge of good and evil acquired from the Fall.
• Moral accountability through conscience.

Symbols:

• Fig leaves symbolize human attempts to cover guilt.
• Sacrificial offerings as an early expression of repentance.

End of the Conscience Age:

• Humanity’s moral decline leads to divine judgment.
• Genesis 6:5-6: “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

Duration:

• Approximately from the Fall to the Flood.
• Characterized by individual moral responsibility.

Scripture:

• Genesis 3:7: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
• Genesis 4:7: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
• Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

Theological Insight:

The Conscience Age underscores the human struggle with morality after the Fall. It sets the stage for the subsequent dispensations, highlighting the need for divine intervention in the face of humanity’s moral failure.

Introduction:

• Follows the Conscience Age and precedes the Promise Age.
• Humanity authorized to establish civil government.

Characteristics:

• Introduction of human governing structures.
• God grants authority for the punishment of wrongdoing.

Symbols:

• The Tower of Babel symbolizes human rebellion against God’s instructions.
• The dispersion of languages signifies divine intervention.

End of the Age of Human Government:

• Confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel.
• Genesis 11:7: “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Duration:

• From the Tower of Babel to the call of Abraham.
• Characterized by human attempts at self-rule and defiance.

Scripture:

• Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
• Genesis 11:4: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.'”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Human Government reveals humanity’s struggle to govern itself justly and the subsequent divine intervention due to disobedience. It sets the stage for the unfolding biblical narrative and the emergence of the Promise Age.

Introduction:

• Succeeds the Age of Human Government and precedes the Law Age.
• Marked by God’s direct dealings with patriarchal figures.

Characteristics:

• Covenant relationships established with key figures (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).
• Nomadic lifestyle and hereditary leadership.

Symbols:

• Circumcision as a sign of the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:10).
• Promised land as a symbol of inheritance (Genesis 12:7).

End of the Age of Patriarchs:

• Transition to slavery in Egypt.
• Genesis 15:13-14: “Then the LORD said to him, ‘Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated.'”

Duration:

• From the call of Abraham to the descent into Egypt.
• Emphasis on family leadership and faithfulness.

Scripture:

• Genesis 12:1-3: “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'”

• Genesis 17:4-5: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Patriarchs highlights God’s covenantal relationships with key figures, laying the foundation for the nation of Israel. The transition to Egypt sets the stage for the unfolding redemptive plan in the subsequent dispensations.

Introduction:

• Succeeds the Age of Patriarchs and precedes the Age of Grace.
• Characterized by the giving of the Mosaic Law to Israel.

Characteristics:

• Legalistic system governing moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects.
• Focus on obedience to the commandments for blessing or curse.

Symbols:

• The Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of God’s presence and covenant.
• Sacrificial system pointing to the need for atonement (Leviticus 16:30).

End of the Age of Law:

• Culminates with the advent of Jesus Christ.
• Galatians 3:24-25: “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

Duration:

• From the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Emphasis on obedience to the Law for righteousness.

Scripture:

• Exodus 20:1-17: The Ten Commandments as a foundational part of the Law.
• Leviticus 26:3-4: “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Law establishes a covenantal relationship between God and Israel based on obedience. The sacrificial system points to the need for atonement, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ in the subsequent dispensation. The end of this age marks the transition to the Age of Grace.

Introduction:

• Succeeds the Age of Law and precedes the Age of the Kingdom.
• Characterized by God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Characteristics:

• Emphasis on grace, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ.
• Inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in the plan of salvation.

Symbols:

• Baptism as a symbol of identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
• The Lord’s Supper representing the new covenant in Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 11:25).

End of the Age of Grace:

• Culminates with the return of Jesus Christ.
• Titus 2:11-13: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people… while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Duration:

• From the death and resurrection of Jesus to His second coming.
• Focus on the proclamation of the Gospel and the formation of the Church.

Scripture:

• Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.”
• Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Grace is marked by the extension of God’s unmerited favor to humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes faith as the means of salvation, fostering a universal offer of redemption to all who believe. The conclusion of this age awaits the return of Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom.

Introduction:

• Follows the Age of Grace and precedes the eternal state.
• Characterized by the final judgment of all humanity.

Characteristics:

• Divine evaluation of individuals based on their response to Christ.
• Separation of the righteous and the unrighteous.

Symbols:

• The Great White Throne Judgment as a symbol of divine justice (Revelation 20:11-12).
• The books opened, revealing the deeds of each person (Revelation 20:12).

End of the Age of Judgment:

• Concludes with the casting of the unrighteous into the lake of fire.
• Revelation 20:15: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Duration:

• A period of final judgment following the millennial reign of Christ.
• Timeless in its significance as it determines the eternal destiny of individuals.

Scripture:

• Revelation 20:11-12: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Judgment represents the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where every individual faces accountability for their response to Christ. It underscores the justice and righteousness of God and serves as a reminder of the eternal consequences of one’s choices. The end of this age leads to the establishment of the eternal state.

Introduction:

• Follows the Age of Judgment and precedes the Eternal State.
• Characterized by the thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth.

Characteristics:

• Christ’s visible and physical rule from Jerusalem.
• Restoration of creation and fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

Symbols:

• The reign of Christ symbolizes peace and righteousness (Isaiah 2:4).
• The binding of Satan during the millennium (Revelation 20:2).

End of the Age of Millennialism:

• Followed by the release of Satan and the final rebellion (Revelation 20:7-9).
• Transition to the Eternal State.

Duration:

• A literal thousand years, as mentioned six times in Revelation 20.
• Fulfillment of prophecies concerning the messianic reign.

Scripture:

• Revelation 20:4: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Millennialism is a distinct period where Christ reigns on Earth, bringing peace and fulfillment to God’s promises. It provides a unique context for the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and the establishment of righteousness. The concluding rebellion sets the stage for the Eternal State, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God’s sovereignty.

Introduction:

• Follows the Age of Millennialism, marking the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.
• Characterized by the eternal state and the absence of sin and suffering.

Characteristics:

• Presence of the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1).
• The dwelling of God with His people, ensuring everlasting peace (Revelation 21:3).

Symbols:

• The New Jerusalem as a symbol of God’s dwelling among redeemed humanity (Revelation 21:2).
• The absence of tears, death, mourning, and pain signifies the eradication of sin’s effects (Revelation 21:4).

End of the Age of Eternity:

• No end; it represents the timeless state of eternal communion with God.
• Continuation of the eternal state initiated after the Millennial Reign.

Duration:

• Eternal and beyond measure.
• Timelessness marks the Age of Eternity, where the concept of duration loses its significance.

Scripture:

• Revelation 21:1-4: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.'”

Theological Insight:

The Age of Eternity represents the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, where sin is eradicated, and God dwells eternally with His redeemed people. It transcends time, offering an everlasting state of perfection, peace, and communion with God. The Age of Eternity is the final destination for those who have embraced God’s grace and salvation throughout the dispensations.