A "dispensation" is not the actual 'period of time', but an administration, or stewardship of events within that time period. It is a change in, ¹ the order of management, ² a system, or ³ a way of doing things. So, a dispensation relates to a way of life (how God relates to us), and not, as many people assume, by a period of time. When studying the Bible, and in context of dispensations discussed in this post, remember that the focus is on a way a life, dictated by God's administration and order of management at that time, and not on a specific period of time between two points of interest.
Not only does God tell us to rightly divide (2 Tim.2:15) the scriptures, but He gives us the divisions we should use. Ephesians 2:11 speaks of "time past". Ephesians 2:13 tells about "now". and Ephesians 2:7 looks to "the ages to come". Ephesians 2 makes it clear that each of these three divisions is vastly different from the other two. Whenever we open the Bible, we must know if we are reading about "time past" or "now" or "the ages to come".
Many Christians attempt to live their lives based on what God said to people in "time past" or to those who will live in "the ages to come". Living according to the wrong division of time will cause you to be out of sync with how God is administering His will and how He relates to us today. Unless we know what division of time we live in, and how God is administering that division, we can never truly honour the Lord Jesus Christ by our lifestyle. We will never experience a true spiritual connection with God until we understand where to look in the Bible to find God's will for us today.
Ephesians 2 reads as follows,
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision [ref. Gentiles] by that which is called the Circumcision [ref. Jews] in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now [ref. Paul's mysteries] in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes [ago] were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
So, how do we distinguish these divisions? How did God work in these periods? What caused these periods change? For an in-depth study on this topic, follow the series called, "God's Word is a Progressive Plan", but let's answer these questions briefly here.
Time Past (Law)
This phrase refers to the 2000-years that belonged to Israel. God saved Abram and from him created the Jewish nation who would become His vehicle of blessing to the Gentiles. However, due to unbelief, Israel failed in their purpose and God blinded them temporarily until they will come back into God's plan in the tribulation and Millennial Kingdom.
Throughout this period, God administered his will by the Mosaic Law. In order to please God and remain in His will, one would need to live according to His moral law and adhere to the practice of animal sacrifices, and participate in various holydays, feasts and ordinances. This administration ended when God saved Paul in Acts 9, and provided him a new doctrine of grace that progressively replaced the administration of law over the next 40 years.
But Now (Grace/Mystery)
During the transition period of ACTS, God saved Saul (Paul) and sent him to the Gentiles, as the Apostle to the Gentiles, with a new gospel, a new doctrine of grace and mysteries, to call out the Body of Christ for His heavenly purposes. This dispensation of grace has been in effect for the last 2000-years, (since the Damascus road salvation of Paul), and is soon to be completed with the secret rapture of the Body of Christ.
During this grace dispensation, God administers His will by grace through the indwelling Spirit of Life. In order to please God today, it is not a matter of law, or holydays, or practicing ordinances, but rather to learn and know His Word, grow in the Spirit, walk by the inner instruction of the Spirit, and be natural reconcilers of people to God through your testimony and lifestyle. This administration will end when the Body of Christ is secretly raptured into heaven, making way for the reintroduction of law under the Messiah and King of Israel.
Ages to Come (Law)
The 'ages to come' is a period of time that involves the 7-year tribulation of God's wrath and judgement on humanity and the Millennial Kingdom, both occurring after the rapture of the Body of Christ. The tribulation is followed by the second coming of Jesus Christ to set up His 1000-year (millennial) kingdom on earth where He will reign supreme as King and Lord over a refreshed and restored world.
After the tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom will be administered by the will and desire of Jesus Christ Himself, the benevolent dictator, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, reigning from the throne of David in Jerusalem. Jesus will rule the nations of the world with an iron rod, quickly extinguishing what little rebellion may occur during a time of great peace and joy. This period will end with the dispensation of the fulness of the times, where time comes to an end and those who trusted in Christ throughout the ages will enter into eternity, living in the presence of God. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
The key to this post, and others on this site with the same topic, is to understand these administrations and identify that God relates to humanity in different ways within these periods. To recognize how God is working and to build ones relationship with Him on the design of that dispensation will ensure you remain in His will and have a closer and more rewarding fellowship with Him. God has a preformatted plan that He is progressively executing. God will not change his ways to suit our lifestyle and will. It is up to us to recognize His plan and change our ways to fall into synchronization with His design.
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