The Seven Administrations

The word “Administrations” refers to “Terms”, as in “Periods of Time”.

These were periods of many, many years, varying greatly in duration, in God’s Timetable and plan for mankind.

They span all of man’s existence, from the very first of mankind, Adam and Eve, all the way to the End Times, and into the restoration of Paradise, which will last forever.

 

It is important and useful to have some understanding of these administrations, as it helps us to understand the nature of God, our Father, and our relationship with him as sons and daughters of God.

There were various Laws, conditions, allowances and availabilities to mankind, which varied between and across these 7 administrations in time.

It is essential to not only understand the past, as it relates to God,
the future, and what lies ahead for us and all of mankind,
but most importantly, we are to understand how God’s laws and availability applies to us in the present time, that being, the Grace Administration.

We are to rightly divide the Word of Truth, as we know from 2 Timothy 2:15:

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

This includes, these 7 Divisions in time, the 7 Administrations in God’s Timetable.

 

1) The Original / Paradise Administration

The First of the seven great administrations, is commonly referred to as the Original Administration, or Paradise.

Most of what is described in Genesis chapter 1 through 3, after the re-creation of the earth, takes place on Paradise, which was on Earth, particularly in the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve resided (the first man and woman God created).

Due to Adam and Eve disobeying God’s instruction of not eating of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, which hasn’t been seen or accessible by any human since that day.

 (Genesis 3:23)  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

(3:24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

The expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, marked the end of the Original Administration, Paradise on Earth.

Apart from God forbidding that mankind eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Bible does not elaborate on any other laws or commandments in the First Administration.

 

2) The Patriarchal Administration

The Second Administration is also known as The Patriarchal Administration

The word “Patriarch” comes from the Latin word “Pater”, which means “Father” or “Head”.

We may be familiar the English words, Paternal and Maternal, which relates to, Father and Mother, respectively.

During the Patriarchal Administration, we hear a lot about the forefathers of Israel, especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

(Acts 7:8) And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

 

And so, these patriarchs ruled over God’s people during this time.

These Patriarchs or Fathers ruled during this period, and would have set out their own family and local laws, which were to be respected and followed by their generations.

There were also eventually “Unwritten Laws” given to Moses, through God, nearing the end of this administration.

Breaking one of these unwritten laws was known to be a “Sin” at that period in time.

(Romans 2:12)  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

(Acts 17:30)  And the times of this ignorance [the Patriarchal Administration] God winked at [closed His eyes to it]; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

 

The Patriarchal Administration began since the time of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and it lasts until the time at which the Law was given to Moses, by God.

 

3) The Law Administration

The Third Administration, also known as The Law Administration, was initiated when God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses on Mt Sinai.

This is the first time mankind had written law, commanded by God.

(Exo 18:20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

 

The Ten Commandments were delivered to Moses.

(Exo 24:12) And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

 

These laws covered many aspects of life and human conduct, which defined how man should live, how they should worship, what they should or should not do, according to God’s Will.

God gave these laws to Israel, through Moses, which became known as “Mosaic Law”.

These written laws may have been as many as over 900 in total, and they were upheld and overseen not simply by patriarchs, as it were in the second administration, but rather by various ranks and offices, of priests, judges and the like.

[The exact number of laws during this administration is not conclusively agreed upon, however, the number is not very important, for understanding of this period.]

What was once defined as being a “Sin” in the patriarchal administration, was now referred to as being a “Transgression”, in this Law administration.

Jesus Christ terminated the Law, reducing many hundreds of laws, into only two.

 

4) The Christ Administration

The Fourth Administration, also known as the Christ Administration, began from the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christ came to FULFIL the law, as we see stated in Matthew 5:17:

(Matthew 5:17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

 

During this period, the previous Mosaic Law was still in effect.
The Christ Administration can be considered to be a transitionary period, yet a very important stage in God’s plan for man’s redemption.

Jesus Christ made known, what would be the great and superseding commandments that would replace the previous Law. Two very specific Laws which we are all to live by.

The Law was replaced by two laws as is clearly stated in the gospel of Mathew:

(Matthew 22:36)  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

(22:37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

(22:38)  This is the first and great commandment.

(22:39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

(22:40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

Also stated in the gospel of Mark:

(Mark 12:29)  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

(12:30)  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

(12:31)  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 

We are to live by these two laws in The Fifth Administration of Grace.

During this administration, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.

(2 Corinthians 5:19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

Mosaic Law was ended and fulfilled, when Jesus Christ died at Calvary, as stated in Romans 10:4

(Romans 10:4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

 

The Christ Administration officially ended on the Day of Pentecost [Acts 2: 1 – 4], with the first outpouring of pneuma hagion (God’s gift of Holy Spirit) on believers, but practically with the latter part of Acts, for the born again believers were still zealous for the law.

 

5) The Church of Grace / Mystery Administration

The Fifth Administration is known as the Grace Administration,
or otherwise called the Mystery Administration, or the Church of Grace Administration.

It began on the day of Pentecost, as explained previously, however the Mystery of the Church was first revealed to the Apostle Paul several years later.

It is the administration under which we are currently living in.

(Colossians 1:26)  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

(1:27)  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

Now, for the first time since mankind’s creation, man gained the ability to be Born Again of God’s Spirit.

It was no longer the case of the Spirit of God coming Upon a man, but rather, the Seed of God’s Spirt being Born Within man.

The power that Jesus Christ had, and even greater, became available to us, as Children of God, as long we truly Believe in our hearts, God’s promises, and Act on our Believing.

The time period of the appearance and suffering of Jesus Christ, which would lead to the redemption and glory of mankind, were diligently searched for by the prophets of the Old Testament:

(1 Peter 1:10)  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

 

The prophets thoroughly searched the ancient scriptures in an attempt to identify this particular period in time. They remained unsuccessful, as no one but God would be able to know the exact time of His plan, which was kept a secret.

 

 

The Grace Administration is the age of the Great Mystery [Musterion].
It was “hid in God”, as stated in Ephesians 3:9:

 (Ephesians 3:9)  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery [oikonomia – administration], which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
[“by Jesus Christ” does Not appear in the original/oldest texts.]

 

The Mystery was “hid from ages and from generations”:

(Colossians 1:26)  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

 

It was also “kept secret since the world began”:

(Romans 16:25)  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

 

The mystery was “not made known” even in “other ages“:

(Ephesians 3:5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

 

This Great Mystery was never heard or spoken of, until it was revealed to the Apostle Paul.

We have now been provided with the ability and knowledge of how we can be born again of God’s Spirit:

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(10:10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

This had never been available, until the day of Pentecost.

Jesus Christ said “greater works than these shall ye do”, referring to this New Birth in God’s spirit, which had not been available during his lifetime or any time before that, not until the day of Pentecost [Acts 2:1-4].

This Grace Administration in which we currently live in, will eventually come to an end, at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

 

We have been blessed by God’s grace, to be living in The Church of Grace Administration, the greatest administration that has yet been made available to mankind.

 

6) The Revelation / Appearing Administration

The Sixth Administration is also known as the Revelation or Appearing Administration.

It begins with the second coming of Jesus Christ, as previously mentioned.

Upon Christ’s return, an event known as “The Gathering Together” occurs.
It begins in this manner:

(1 Thessalonians 4:16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

 

The phrase “the dead in Christ” refers to those born-again believers who died at any time after Pentecost and before Christ’s return, which is, during the Grace Administration.

The next event is seen in:

(1 Thessalonians 4:17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

As explained in the Bible, the gathering together, occurs in this sequence:

Firstly, Jesus Christ returns and raises believers who became born again after Pentecost, but has since died.

After this, those born again believers who are still alive at the time of Christ’s return, will be taken up into the air, to meet the Lord and those who were previously risen first.

This chronological order is also specified, in 1 Thessalonians 4:15:

(1 Thessalonians 4:15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

Those who are still alive, will not prevent, or come before, those who are already asleep.

 

Later in this 6^th administration of Revelation, two further resurrections occur:

All of the Old Testament, and Pre-Pentecost believers will be raised from the dead, in an event known as The Resurrection of the Just.

As well, all unbelievers shall be raised from the dead, during The Resurrection of the Unjust.

All of these risen in this later resurrection, shall be judged.

 

This all occurs after the post-Pentecost believers have been risen with Christ,
and Christ returns to earth with his saints.

Ourselves as well as other post-Pentecost believers, will not have to experience the wrath and judgement which is to come at this period.

We will however be able to observe these events.

(1 Thessalonians 1:10)  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

(Romans 5:9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

The final defeat of Satan, which occurs in Revelation 20:10, is then followed by the final judgment as which I previously described, marking an end to this Revelation or Appearing Administration.

 

7) The Paradise / Glory Administration

The Seventh and Final administration, is the Paradise or Glory Administration.

This administration begins in Revelation Chapter 21 and it complements the Original Administration which began in Genesis 1 and ended in Genesis 3: 24.

Paradise will once more be on earth. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness – where there is no more sickness, sorrow, or death.

(Revelation 21:1)  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

 

The phrase “no more sea” is a Hebrew expression, with meaning: “no more wavering, confusion, trouble or unrighteousness.”

 

We should be comforted to know what great things our Father, God, has in store for us.

The hope of Jesus Christ’s return, keeps us motivated as Christians, such that we can continue to look forward to the new heaven and new earth that is to come.

Where we will be together with God and Jesus Christ for all of eternity, in the Final Paradise, that will never end.

 

Conclusion

So in closing, I would like to reiterate that we should remember that we live today in a very, very special period of mankind’s history.

With the exception of Paradise, we live in the most fortunate period of time,
where we not only have redemption through Jesus Christ, we also have the spirit of God within us, as believers, and we are also exempted from judgement in the end times.

With this knowledge of being in God’s grace, we should always remember to love God with all our Heart, all of our Soul, all of our Mind, and with all of our Strength …
for all the great things He has done for us,
for all the grace and mercy He has shown towards us.

We are also to love our neighbors, as just as much as we love ourselves.

Or in other words, “do unto others, as you would have them do unto you”.
As said by Jesus in Matthew 7:12, and also in Luke 6:31.

(Matthew 7:12)  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(Luke 6:31)  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 

So let us all continue forward in Love, in this amazing Grace Administration we all live in.

 

Thank you, and God Bless!
– Andrew E. Davis