The Bible is an inspired history book that can be divided
into four different historical / chronological ages, covenants,
or dispensations [how God worked with man
and what He expected of him during a specific age/time
period]. So we begin to study the Bible chronologically,
in the sequence of how things happened historically.
In this way you will know how things fit in their proper
places within it.
The Beginning Age
First, the Beginning Age lasted about
2,000 yrs. Its major themes are the creation of the world
and the introduction of sin into it with its consequences.
The Patriarchal Age
Next, the Patriarchal Age lasted approximately 600
yrs. Its major theme is centered on Abraham, his son,
grandsons, and great grandsons.
The Mosaic Age
Third, the Mosaic
Age lasted about 1,433 yrs. Its major themes are the
deliverance of Abraham’s descendants, the Jews, from
slavery to Egypt, and their movement into the Promised
Land.
The Christian or Messianic Age
Finally, the Messianic or Christian Age is the
historical period we live in today. Its major theme is the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We do
not know how long it will last on earth (Mt 24:36). But
some form of it will last forever in heaven.
Old Testament Ages
The 1st O.T. Book, Genesis, covers two ages, the Beginning & Patriarchal. Combined, they lasted about 2,600 yrs. The rest of the O.T., Exodus thru Malachi, covers 1 age, the Mosaic. It lasted about 1,400 yrs. The whole O.T. spanned 3 ages, the Beginning, Patriarchal, & Mosaic. Combined, they cover about 4,000 yrs. Old Testament time is marked by the abbreviation B.C. It means “before Christ”. According to the Bible, man has only existed from about 4,000 B.C.New Testament Ages
The first four books of the N.T. cover 2 ages, The Fulfillment of the Mosaic Age and The Beginning of the Christian. The Mosaic Age continued to be in effect even when the Messiah was on the earth; up until approximately 33 A.D. It was at His death that the Mosaic Age ended and the Christian Age began. The Messiah lived on the earth for approximately 33 years. New Testament time is marked by the abbreviation A.D. It means “year of our Lord Jesus Christ”.Regulations / Covenants in Ages
The Beginning Age had some instructions for man (Ge 2:8; 15-17). The Patriarchal Age had a covenant with one person (Ge 17:1-27). The Mosaic Age had a new covenant with one nation started with blood (He 9:18). The Messianic Age has a new covenant with all nations started with blood (Lk 22:20; He 9:27).
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