Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  II Timothy 2:15

5. Administrations

An administration is the administering of an entire era as in a government administration. There are seven Biblical administrations set forth in God's Word. Each administration is characterized by a difference in the relationship between God and man. The change in this relationship is due to a loss in the relationship or (as is the case most of the time) it is due to a gain in the relationship. It will help you in your reading of God's Word to know in what administration you are reading. Over time, as you continue to read God's Word, this basic knowledge of the administrations and the relationship between God and man during each administration will grow.

The seven administrations are: 1) Original; 2) Patriarchal; 3) Law; 4) Christ; 5) Grace; 6) Appearing; and 7) Glory. The change from the Original to the Patriarchal Administration was a loss in the relationship between God and man. From the Patriarchal Administration and following, the change was a gain in the relationship. As time went on God was able to make more available to man. And the change in each administration can be identified by a major event in God's relationship to man.

The following will give you some idea or flavor for each administration. This is by no means a complete list nor has it been extensively researched. But from my understanding of God's Word, I have generated this list to help you get started in understanding the different administrations in God's Word. The general section of scripture given under each administration is a "ball park" and is meant to help you get a feel for the general area of scripture for each administration. It is left up to the student of God's Word to work out the details. Also the text in italics gives some indication of the change from the previous administration.

ORIGINAL

Started with man (as we know man) and ended with man being driven from paradise.
General section of scripture is from Genesis 1 through Genesis 3.
Man consists of body, soul, and spirit.
There was one thing that man was forbidden to do and the price for disobeying was spirit life.
The spirit part of man enables him to talk directly with God.
Man has a perfectly renewed mind.
There is no sin, sickness or death.
Man has dominion over all of God's creation.
God dealt with Adam and Eve. There is no mention of any others.

PATRIARCHAL

Started with man being driven from paradise and ended with the giving of the law to Moses.
General section of scripture is from Genesis 4 through Exodus 19.
Most people consist of body and soul, but no spirit.
Spirit is put upon certain people but it is measured out and conditional.
There is sin, sickness and death and the shedding of blood is required to cover for it.
The devil has dominion over God's creation.
There is no written law for people to measure themselves against.
Priests are the mediators between God and man.
God deals with all of mankind and not any specific group or nationality.

LAW

Started with the giving of the law to Moses and ended with the beginning of Jesus Christ's ministry.
General section of scripture is from Exodus 20 through Malachi.
Most people consist of body and soul, but no spirit.
Spirit is put upon certain people but it is measured out and conditional.
There is sin, sickness and death and the shedding of blood is required to cover for it.
The devil has dominion over God's creation.
Priests are the mediators between God and man.
God gives the law to Moses for people to measure themselves against.
God separates out Israel from the other nations to be the chosen people of God.

CHRIST

Started with the beginning of Jesus Christ's ministry and ended with Pentecost.
General section of scripture is the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Most people consist of body and soul, but no spirit.
Spirit is put upon certain people but it is measured out and conditional.
There is sin, sickness and death and the shedding of blood is required to cover for it (but now the perfect sacrifice is available).
The devil has dominion over God's creation.
God gave the law to Moses for people to follow.
Priests are the mediators between God and man.
God separates out Israel from the other nations to be the chosen people of God.
Jesus Christ the redeemer is walking the earth.

GRACE

Started with Pentecost and ends when Christ returns for his saints.
General section of scripture is from The Book of Acts through Jude.
Available for people to again consist of body, soul, and spirit.
Spirit is unconditional seed, making man a child of God.
The spirit part of man enables him to talk directly with God.
The spirit part of man gives man eternal life.
There is sin, sickness and death but now the perfect sacrifice cleanses us.
The spirit part of man gives him power over the devil.
Gift ministries are given to build up the saints and the body of Christ (priests no longer needed).
Those who are born again of God's spirit are the chosen people of God (Israel or Gentile).
It is Christ in each child of God, the ability to walk with the power of God in Christ in you.

APPEARING

Starts with Christ coming for his saints and ends when death is destroyed.
General section of scripture is from Revelation 1 through Revelation 20
Christ comes for his saints - the gathering together of the born-again ones.
No need for soul life but instead a life quickening spirit.
There is a period of time when the devil has free reign.
Christ comes with his saints to the earth.
Resurrection of the just.
Resurrection of the unjust.
Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire.

GLORY

Starts with the end of death and hell and does not end.
General section of scripture is from Revelation 21 through Revelation 22
New heaven and new earth.
No more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.
No need for the moon or sun for the glory of God provides light.
No more curse.
No more night.