DISPENSATION
A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture.
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 1:28), note 5.
And God blessed them
The First Dispensation: Innocency. Man was created in innocency, placed in a perfect environment, subjected to an absolutely simple test, and warned of the consequence of disobedience. The woman fell through pride; the man deliberately. (1 Timothy 2:14) God restored His sinning creatures, but the dispensation of innocency ended in the judgment of the Expulsion (Genesis 3:24) See, for the other dispensations;
Conscience
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 3:23).
Human Government
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 8:21).
Promise
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 12:1).
Law
( See Scofield) - (Exodus 19:8).
Grace
( See Scofield) - (John 1:17)
Kingdom
( See Scofield) - (Ephesians 1:10).
Be fruitful
The Edenic Covenant, the first of the eight great covenants of Scripture which condition life and salvation, and about which all Scripture crystallizes, has seven elements. The man and woman in Eden were responsible:
(1) To replenish the earth with a new order -- man;
(2) to subdue the earth to human uses;
(3) to have dominion over the animal creation;
(4) to eat herbs and fruits;
(5) to till and keep the garden;
(6) to abstain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;
(7) the penalty -- death. See, for the other seven covenants:
ADAMIC
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 3:14)
NOAHIC
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 9:1)
ABRAHAMIC
( See Scofield) - (Genesis 15:18)
MOSAIC
( See Scofield) - (Exodus 19:25)
PALESTINIAN
( See Scofield) - (Deuteronomy 30:3)
DAVIDIC
( See Scofield) - (2 Samuel 7:16)
NEW
( See Scofield) - (Hebrews 8:8)