THE 7 DISPENSATIONS OF CREATION – THE AGE OF THE KINGDOM

The story of mankind, as viewed through the lens of the seven dispensations of the kingdom, is a grand narrative of divine governance and human stewardship. Each dispensation represents a distinct era marked by divine revelation, human responsibility, and a unique covenant between man and God. From the innocence of Eden to the law of Moses, from the grace of Christ to the present era of restoration, each dispensation carries its lessons, trials, and triumphs.

The Millenial Kingdom stands as a central theme in biblical prophecy, portraying God’s redemptive plan for Man. Rooted in Scripture and characterized by the reign of Christ, this dispensation offers believers hope, assurance, and a vision for kingdom living.

The Dispensation of the Kingdom finds its foundation in ancient Old Testament prophecies, which predict a future era of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and divine governance. According to Isaiah 2:2-4:

2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains;it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.3 Many peoples will come and say,“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

A future time is envisioned where nations will converge on the mountain of the Lord, seeking divine guidance and wisdom. Micah 4:1-5 reinforces this vision, depicting a world where God’s kingdom holds supreme sway, and humanity lives in perfect harmony. The prophet Daniel, in Daniel 2:44 and 7:13-14, foresaw a kingdom that would eclipse all previous empires, with the Son of God reigning as the ultimate authority.

Daniel 2:44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Daniel 7:13-14 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Jesus Christ Himself affirmed the coming kingdom in His teachings, particularly in the Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13). He described the kingdom as a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great price, and a net that gathers both good and bad fish. These parables convey the kingdom’s value, its universal scope, and the separation of the righteous from the wicked.

Also Read: THE 7 DISPENSATIONS OF CREATION – THE AGE OF GRACE

The Era of Dispensation of the Kingdom

1. The Return and Reign of Christ [Revelation 19:11-16]

There will be a visible reign of Christ as King in this Dispensation. The book of Revelation portrays Jesus returning in power and glory to establish His kingdom on earth. Jesus Christ will return in glory, with His saints, to establish His kingdom. This event will usher in the beginning of the Dispensation of the Kingdom, as Christ takes His rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords. During this time, He will rule with righteousness and justice, fulfilling the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

Revelation 19:11-16.

2. Millennial Duration [Revelation 20:4-6]

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4-6

The kingdom will last for 1,000 years, a period of peace and prosperity. During this time, Christ will reign supreme, and man will live in harmony with God and each other.

3. Restoration of Israel (Romans 11:25-27, Jeremiah 23:5-8)

25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[a] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:“The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.27 And this is[b] my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”[c]

Romans 11:25-27.

Israel will be restored to its former glory, with God’s people living in unity with Jesus. This restoration will mark a new era of blessing and prosperity for Israel, as they fulfill their role as a light to the nations.

4. Universal Peace and Prosperity (Isaiah 2:4, 65:17-25)

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. 20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach[a] a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 65:27-25.

Nations will live in peace, and the earth will experience a time of Great prosperity. The curse of sin will be lifted, and creation will be restored to its original perfection.

5. Satan’s Binding (Revelation 20:1-3)

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

Revelation 20:1-3.

Satan will be bound, unable to deceive humanity during this era. This binding will mark a significant shift in the spiritual realm, as the forces of evil are restrained, and the kingdom of God is established.

6. Resurrection and Judgment (Revelation 20:4-6, 12-15)

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4-6

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:12-15

The righteous will be resurrected, and the wicked will face judgment. This event will mark the final separation of the righteous and the wicked, as the kingdom of God is established, and the reign of sin and death is ended.

Relevance of the Dispensation of the Kingdom

1. Fulfillment of God’s Promise (Genesis 3:15, Revelation 22:20)

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[a] and hers; he will crush[b] your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon. ”Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20

The kingdom represents the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promise to redeem humanity and restore creation. This dispensation marks the Peak of God’s redemptive plan, as He establishes His kingdom, and humanity is restored to its original purpose.

2. Triumph of Good over Evil (Revelation 19:11-21, 20:10)

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:king of kings and lord of lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Revelation 19:11-21

10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

The kingdom marks the definitive triumph of good over evil, with God’s justice and righteousness reigning supreme. This triumph will be celebrated throughout eternity, as the kingdom of God is established, and the reign of sin and death is ended.

3. Eternal Inheritance (1 Peter 1:4, Revelation 21:7)

4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4

7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Revelation 21:7

Believers will inherit eternal life, living in the presence of God forever. This inheritance will be realized in the Dispensation of the Kingdom, as believers are resurrected, and the kingdom of God is established.

4. The Ultimate Goal of Redemption (Romans 8:18-23, Revelation 21:1-4)

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:18-23

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21:1-4

The Dispensation of the Kingdom represents the ultimate goal of redemption, as God’s plan of salvation is fully realized. This era will mark the completion of man’s redemption, as believers are glorified, and the kingdom of God is established.

The Millenial Kingdom is an anticipated era, marking the peak of God’s redemptive plan. The Dispensation of the Kingdom will be a time of peace and prosperity, as God’s kingdom is established, and humanity is restored to its original purpose. Believers will be resurrected, and the wicked will face judgment, marking the final separation of the righteous and the wicked. The kingdom will be a time of eternal inheritance, as believers live in the presence of God forever. The Dispensation of the Kingdom represents the ultimate goal of redemption, as God’s plan of salvation is fully realized.

Throughout the Dispensational journey, humans struggle with spiritual enlightenment, morality, conscience and godliness, as the aftermath of the Fall in Genesis, is widely revealed. Each dispensation builds upon the previous, leading towards the ultimate climax of the last dispensation – where redemption, restoration and restitution culminate. This is the Dispensation of the Kingdom. There, the peak of human history converges with the fulfilment of divine promises. A time of spiritual awakening, collective enlightenment, and universal reconciliation. As we stand on the threshold of the long-awaited new era.

Finally, to sum up the whole dispensation. The scriptural narrative unfolds through seven distinct eras, each characterized by God’s progressive revelation and humanity’s response. Beginning with the innocence of Adam and Eve, the story traverses the conscience-driven era following their expulsion from Eden. The Great Flood marked the onset of the human government, which gave way to the era of promise, spanning from Abraham to the Exodus. The dispensation of law, initiated with the Ten Commandments, was later superseded by the grace of Christ’s New Covenant. Finally, the millennial kingdom of Christ will usher in a new era of divine reign on earth.