Covenants &

Dispensations
Covenants & Dispensational
Teaching

“the belief that the Bible is

broken down into certain time
periods and ways that God
deals with man”
COVENANT

Defined
Covenant is from the Hebrew [ber-eeth] meaning
to cut, and by extension means a promise or
pledge to do something.
"It is an agreement upon the promises concerning
the relationship between two or more parties. In
Biblical terms the covenant is the prime agency of
God's self-revelation in history. God reveals
Himself to be the covenant God. The essence of
the covenant between God and man is "I will be
your God, and you will be My people.”
Most important words of godly covenant is
If & Then.
 Why study covenants and
dispensations?
1. It helps us to understand the
divisions of scripture.

2. It helps us to see God’s dealing

with man according to their
limited revelation.

3. It helps us to connect God’s

redemptive plan through history.
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Man was created Innocent
ENDED-Judgment of Expulsion
Innocence
(pre-Fall)

Edenic

COVENANT-Promise of the Garden of Eden

1. Replenish the earth 6. Abstain from tree of knowledge

2. Subdue the earth 7. Penalty - death

3. Have dominion over the animal creation
4. Eat herbs and fruit
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Man now has a conscience to guide them.
ENDED-Judgment of the Flood
Innocence
(pre-Fall)
Conscience

Edenic Adamic

COVENANT-Promise to Adam
• Serpent Cursed 6. Burdensome labour

• 1st Promise of a Redeemer 7. Physical death

• Changed state of woman
• Earth cursed
•
End 1st
Week
Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Human government becomes the enforcer.
ENDED-Confusion of language (Jewish), Judgment of Nations (Gentiles)
Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government
Conscience

Gentiles
Edenic Adamic Noahic

COVENANT-Mans rule of the earth

1. Relation of man to earth confirmed 6. Prophetic word to Shem

2. Order of nature confirmed 7. Prophetic word to Japheth

3. Human Government established
4. Earth secured against universal flood
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Man was given a promise.
ENDED-Israel rashly (quickly without thinking) accepts the law
Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government
Conscience Promise

Gentiles
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic

COVENANT-Promise to Abraham

1. Make you a great nation. 4. You will be a blessing

a. physically (seed) 5. Bless those who bless you.
b. spiritually (followers) 6. Curse them who curse you.
2. Will bless you. (temp. & spiritually) 7. All the families shall be blessed through
3. Make your name great.
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Law becomes Gods way.
ENDED-The Cross
Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government Law
Conscience Promise

Gentiles
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic

COVENANT-Keeping of the Law

1. Given to Israel.
2. Three Divisions.
a. Moral
b. Civil
c. Ceremonial
 Dispensational - Various Covenants

DISPENSATION

Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government Law
Conscience Promise

Gentiles Israel
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Palestinian

COVENANT-Israel in the Land of Promise

1. Dispersion for disobedience. 6. Judgment of Israel’s oppressors.

2. Future repentance of Israel 7. National prosperity.

3. Return of the Lord.
4. Restoration to the land.
 Dispensational - Various Covenants

DISPENSATION

Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government Law
Conscience Promise

Gentiles Israel
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Palestinian Davidic

COVENANT-Promise to King David (skip Saul)

• A house. “posterity” 5. Disobedience in the Davidic family is to
• A throne. “authority” be visited with chastisement.
• A kingdom. “sphere of rulership” 1st Rehoboam 2nd Captivity
• In perpetuity “for ever”
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Grace “kindness and love of God our Savior toward man”
ENDED-Apocalyptic judgment
Innocence Human
Government Law Grace
(pre-Fall)
Conscience Promise

Gentiles Israel
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Palestinian Davidic New
Covenant
COVENANT- “New Covenant” with all man, personal revelation
1. Established on being better than 4. Secures personal revelation of God

all the other covenants & promises to all believers

2. Old Covenants obedience from fear, 5. Complete oblivion of sin(s)
New Coveant “a willing heart and mind”
3. Fulfillment of Old Covenants. 6. Rests upon accomplished redemption
 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

Revelation 1-3

Rev 1:19 "Write the things which you have

seen, and the things which are, and the
things which will take place after this.
Church Meaning of Historical Time
Name Church Age Period
Ephesus Desired Apostolic Church 30-100
A.D.
Smyrna Myrrh (death) Roman 100-313
Persecution
Pergamum Thoroughly Roman Church 313-600
Married State
Thyatira Perpetual Dark Ages 600-1517
Sacrifice
Sardis Those Escaping Reformation 1517-1648

Philadelphia Brotherly Love Great Missionary 1648-1900

Movement

Laodicea People Ruling Apostasy 1900-

present
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Tribulation
ENDED-Judgment of Nations
Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government Law
Conscience Promise Grace Tribulation

Gentiles Israel
Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Palestinian Davidic New
Covenant
COVENANT
 Dispensational - Various Covenants
DISPENSATION-Millennium
ENDED-Christ takes His kingdom
Innocence Human
(pre-Fall) Government Law Millennium
Conscience Promise Grace Tribulation

Gentiles Israel Church

Edenic Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Palestinian Davidic New
Covenant
COVENANT