The concept of dominion was introduced to humanity at the beginning. It was a command given to Adam and Eve before the fall.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”—Genesis 1:28 (emphasis added)
After sin had entered the world, the concept of God’s dominion given to us began to change. The consequences of one decision led to a broken world. Both men and women were to find blessing in dominion, but the introduction of sin changed everything.
The Fall Brought a Curse Upon Adam, Eve, and Their Offspring
Eve’s Curse…
“To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.’”—Genesis 3:16
Adam’s Curse…
“Then to Adam He said… ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.’”—Genesis 3:17
Two Acts of God’s Mercy…
- The Lord God provided a tunic for them to cover their shame and nakedness.
- Adam and Eve were removed from the garden so they could not eat from the tree of life. If they had, they would have lived forever in their sinful state of hurt and pain.
After the curses, the Lord’s next act was remarkable. To those who do not understand God’s grace, it seems harsh. However, when you look at it as a great act of mercy, it changes the way you see God’s character and the assignment of the Body of Christ as a whole.
Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.”—Genesis 3:21-23
Immediately after the fall, the Lord started the process of restoration—both for Adam and Eve, and for the land.
Even after such grave disobedience, the Lord still wanted them to actively participate in their calling to take dominion of the land. They remained in a position of authority.
Dominion in the Bible
Because we are made in God’s image, we still have an innate drive to have dominion of the land. However, in this God-given dominion, we are to reflect God’s holiness and subdue the earth for His glory… not to exploit and distort it for our own gain.
How are we manifesting God’s righteous rule over creation? Are we planting to restore what has been broken? Or, are we hoping that someone else will come along and “fix” it? These questions are ones that we need to consider as Christians today, because whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31).
We must sow seeds of hope into people as well as the soil, because the earth is what supports us all.
Dominion is also intended to leave a legacy. The Great Commission tells us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (see Matthew 28:19). We pass on this good news of restoration and dominion to our children and all of God’s people in efforts that His glory will be revealed and fill the earth.
Taking care of the earth, especially in the Holy Land, tells the next generation to prepare for the Messiah’s return in every way—from the words we say… to the seeds we plant… and everything in between.
The land and its people have a connection—just read the creation story! Therefore, when it comes to restoring, we see a threefold process…
- Restoring the relationship between man and God
- Restoring the relationship between man and man
- Restoring the relationship between man and creation
“…And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”—Ecclesiastes 4:12
When these three relationships are seen as one, it brings God’s glory to earth.
Scriptures on Dominion and Authority
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”—Luke 10:19
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”—Romans 6:14
“…far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”—Ephesians 1:21
If you are part of the Body of Christ, you have dominion and authority. It is up to you how you choose to glorify God in all you do.
Look again at the threefold process—can you do something today to sow seeds in each area to strengthen the Church’s authority on earth?
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”—1 Peter 4:10-11
Perhaps you are called to bring restoration of the Holy Land. Click HERE to find out more!