Dispensationalism

The concept that all of human history has been divided into seven distinct periods of time or dispensations. In each of these ages, God deals differently with mankind. They are periods of time during that man is tested for obedience to a specific revelation of the will of God.

The dispensations are often called:

• innocence
• conscience
• human government
• promise
• law
• grace
• the Kingdom

God focused on the Hebrews during some dispensations and on the church during others. Dispensationalists see a major role for the state of Israel in the future, and anticipate the second coming of Jesus in the immediate future.