1. From the Full of Adam till the Judgment of the Flood—1656 years. For this long period of sixteen centuries and a half, God Left man to himself, conscience supplying the place of law. Man, unrestrained by God, filled the earth with violence and corruption, and God in judgment had to drown man and creation with a flood—a remnant only being preserved.
Distinctive character of this period: Man acting in proud self-will, or the age of lawlessness.
2. From the Judgment of the Flood till the Call of Abram—427 years. This important period is occupied with numerous grave events, which are but briefly touched upon in the sacred pages. The most important of these are the institution of civil government, the peopling of the earth consequent upon the impious Babel confederacy, and the introduction of idolatry. But three chapters in the Bible record the history of these interesting ages—Genesis chapters 9-11.
Distinctive character of this period: God dealing publicly and governmentally with man.
3. From the Call of Abram till Moses, the Lawgiver and Mediator—430 years. Abram called out by the God of Glory to tread the earth as a stranger— pilgrim, and worshiper. was a most blessed intervention of grace, and the divine remedy for the then-prevailing idolatry. Man was placed for the first time on the ground of promise (Gal. 3:1616Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)). Abram also became the head of the family of faith, and of the circumcision (Rom. 4), besides forming the root and source of the "olive tree" of responsibility (Rom. 11).
Distinctive character of this period: The grace of promise and the responsibility of testimony.
4. From Moses by whom the Law was given, till Christ with whom came Grace and Truth—1491 years. "The law was our schoolmaster... unto Christ." Gal. 3:2424Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24). The law as a recognized ground of dealing with the covenant people ceased at the coming of Christ; for its lawful use now, see 1 Tim. 1:8,108But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; (1 Timothy 1:8)
10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:10) etc. During this period, kingly power was committed to Israel (1 Sam. 8), who sinned it away; royal government on the earth was then transferred to the heathen (Dan. 2), and the people placed under Gentile subjection till the year 70 A.D., when Jerusalem was totally destroyed by the Romans.
Distinctive character of this period: Law from Moses and kingly government from Saul.
5. From Christ till the Translation of the Saints of God to Heaven. This is the blessed time when a world-wide testimony to the risen Son of God is being proclaimed; it is the season too when the heirs of God and Christ's joint heirs are being gathered by the effectual testimony of God's Word and Spirit.
Distinctive character of this period: God's long-suffering grace.
6. From the Rapture of the Church (1 Thess. 4) till the Descent from Heaven with the Lord (Rev. 19). The short period lying between these events—the rapture of the Church to heaven and her subsequent descent from heaven—is a solemn and deeply impressive one, and is crowded with weighty and startling occurrences.
Distinctive character of this period: The coming crisis and Satan's rule.
7. From the Introduction and Establishment of the Kingdom or Millennium till its Close—1000 years.
The prophetic scriptures, especially of the Old Testament, are remarkably full and copious on this delightful era, which will shortly dawn upon this world.
Distinctive character of this period: The reign of righteousness, blessing, and glory.
W. Scott
There's a city of light in a faraway land.
Where no death and no sorrow can come,
Where the ransomed of God will eternally dwell.
In the sweet rest and quiet of Home.
In that city of light, with its mansions so fair.
We shall walk with our Savior in white;
Not a pain, not a sigh, not a tear will be shed;
'Tis a city of purest delight.
And the Lamb is The Light of that city of gold;
No darkness will ever be there.
And nothing that ever defiles will be known.
And His loved ones His glories will share.
To that city of light soon the ransomed will go,
When His shout will be heard in the air:
And the living and dead in a moment will rise
And dwell in that city so fair.