Papers

Timeline of Main Events

This timeline is based on the dispensations as outlined in the provided text, focusing on key events that mark the beginning and end of each dispensation, as well as significant events within each:

• Dispensation of Innocence (Time Period: From the creation of Adam to expulsion from the Garden of Eden)

• Creation of Adam - Adam is created, placed in the Garden of Eden, and given the responsibility to tend the garden.

• Creation of Eve - Eve is created to be Adam's companion.

• The Fall of Man- Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

• Expulsion from the Garden of Eden - Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden, marking the end of the dispensation. Spiritual death and the activation of conscience occur.

• Dispensation of Conscience (Time Period: From the expulsion from the garden to the drying of the flood)

• Expulsion from Eden- Marking the start of the era where humans are guided by conscience.

• Birth of Cain and Abel - The first children of Adam and Eve are born.

• Cain Kills Abel- Demonstrating the failure of conscience as a sole guide.

• Increasing Corruption - Humanity becomes increasingly wicked.

• The Flood - God sends a global flood destroying all but Noah's family and the animals on the ark.

• Drying of the Flood- The floodwaters recede, marking the end of this dispensation.

• Dispensation of Human Government (Time Period: From the flood to the confusion of tongues at the tower of Babel)

• Noah and the Ark's Landing - Noah's family and the animals exit the ark.

• Noah Builds an Altar - Noah worships and receives God's promise not to destroy the earth again by flood.

• Mankind Repopulates - Mankind is commanded to spread across the earth and fill it.

• Building of the Tower of Babel - Mankind attempts to build a tower reaching to heaven, demonstrating their desire for self-reliance.

• Confusion of Tongues - God confuses human language, causing the dispersion of people and ending the unified human government. This leads to the division of races and continents

• Dispensation of Promise (Time Period: From the call of Abraham to the failure at Mount Sinai)

• The Call of Abraham - God calls Abraham out of Ur to establish a covenant, including the promise of a great nation, land, and blessing.

• God's Covenants with Abraham- God makes multiple promises and covenants with Abraham and his descendants.

• God's Visible Presence - God manifests Himself to Abraham and others

• Presumption at Sinai - The Israelites reject an unconditional promise and seek the conditional law.

• Giving of the Law at Sinai - The Israelites are given the law at Mt. Sinai and their failure to live up to it ends the dispensation of promise.

• Dispensation of Law (Time Period: From the giving of the Law to the cross + tribulation period)

• Giving of the Law at Sinai - God gives the Mosaic Law to the Israelites, establishing a new set of requirements.

• Israel's Failure under the Law - Israel fails to keep the Law, leading to repeated cycles of sin and judgement.

• Cross of Christ- The death and resurrection of Christ begins the parenthesis of the dispensation of grace, setting aside the requirements of the law.

• Tribulation Period - The Law continues to be the rule through the tribulation period.

• Second Coming of Christ - Christ's coming in glory at the end of the tribulation period marks the end of the dispensation of law.

• Dispensation of Grace (Time Period: From the cross work to the rapture of the Church)

• The Cross and Resurrection of Christ- Provides the foundation for grace and starts a new age in relation to God and the Church.

• Pentecost - The Holy Spirit is poured out and the Church is formed.

• Growth of the Church - The church is to grow in the knowledge of Christ and live godly lives.

• Rapture of the Church - Believers are taken to be with Christ, marking the end of the dispensation.

• Dispensation of the Fullness of Times (Time Period: Setting up of Millennial kingdom to rebellion of battle of Gog and Magog)

• Second Coming of Christ in Glory - Christ returns to establish His earthly kingdom.

• Millennial Kingdom Established - Christ begins his rule over the earth.

• Satan Bound - Satan is imprisoned for 1000 years.

• David Resurrected- David rules over the earth during the Millennial Kingdom.

• Perfect Environment - The world enters an era of righteous rule and peace.

• Rebellion of Gog and Magog- Satan is released and leads a rebellion against Christ.

• Final Battle and Judgement- The forces of rebellion are defeated and cast into the lake of fire.

Cast of Characters

• Adam: The first man created by God, steward of the Dispensation of Innocence. He was tasked with tending the Garden of Eden and obeying God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. His disobedience led to the fall of mankind.

• Eve: The first woman created by God, partner of Adam. She participated in the initial act of disobedience.

• Cain: Son of Adam and Eve, steward of the Dispensation of Conscience, known for murdering his brother Abel.

• Abel: Son of Adam and Eve, murdered by Cain.

• Seth: Son of Adam and Eve, in contrast to Cain's line is described as following God.

• Noah: Righteous man, steward of the Dispensation of Human Government. He was saved with his family from the flood and tasked with repopulating the earth.

• Abraham: Called by God, steward of the Dispensation of Promise and the father of the Hebrew nation, key figure in God's covenant promises.

• Shem: Son of Noah, from whose line Abraham comes.

• Moses: Prophet of Israel, steward of the Dispensation of Law, who received the law from God on Mount Sinai.

• Paul: Apostle, steward of the Dispensation of Grace, known for his writings about the church and grace.

• David: King of Israel, steward of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times in his resurrected state, who will rule with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.

• God the Father: The planner and architect of each dispensation, and the ultimate source of authority.

• God the Son: The visible revelator in many dispensations, walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden, and the source of salvation and grace.

• God the Holy Spirit: The energizer and indweller, guiding believers and giving them spiritual gifts during the Dispensation of Grace.

Note: The provided documents explicitly state that C.I. Scofield is NOT the father of Dispensationalism (see exam question #3), but that the system is based on a literal interpretation of Scripture. Also that the division of continents was a result of the dispersion after the tower of Babel, and not associated with Peleg.