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By Seventy Nolan W. Glauner

“And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said, Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”  Inspired Version of Scriptures Genesis 1:27,28

DOMINION: Hebrew definition of dominion Strong’s number: 4475: Hebrew: memshalah Pronunciation: mem-shaw-law'rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler: --dominion, government, power, to rule.

Strong's number: 4910: Hebrew: mashal Pronunciation: maw-shal' a primitive root; to rule: --(have, make to have) dominion, governor, X indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power.

Dictionary definition of dominion

Middle English dominion, from Old French dominion, from Medieval Latin dominiō, dominiōn-, from Latin dominium, property, from dominus, lord. Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty: A territory or sphere of influence or control; a realm.

Dominion, stewardship and agency go hand in hand. God declared that he would give mankind dominion over all the earth. He also gave him his agency in the garden. It then became the challenge of just how man should exercise his stewardship over this dominion. 

In one sense all dominion belongs to God since he is the creator of all things and when man understands the will and purpose of God in our creation, then mankind will return dominion to him to whom it rightly belongs.

Mankind was given the ability to decide either to obey or disobey God’s commandment in the Garden and in making a bad choice, they were cast out of the garden. This resulted in their isolation from the presence of God. This act did not remove their dominion over the earth, but made them subject to the full effects of the laws of nature in lieu of remaining in innocence and in God’s close association and protection.

God drove out and scattered the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve due to their disobedience, but also promised at some future time to gather them again. This gathering would be when they became a righteousness and obedient family.

This gathering would have focal points centered in Jerusalem and in the New Jerusalem [Zion], but the greater gathering would be a gathering of those who overcome the world and are taught righteousness and coming to an understanding having one heart and one mind, even those who are converted and committed to keep the commandments and laws of God thus forming the government of God on earth.

Many have looked forward to a realization of the kingdom of God where his laws would be observed. It slowly comes to our understanding that we who still are in possession of that dominion given in the garden, have personal responsibility (stewardship) and the ability to decide upon action (agency) to use all our faculties (gifts and talents) to establish his kingdom and it’s righteousness.

Having said this, I have to add that there is one who is most worthy to be over this kingdom. He, having overcome all things, having put death under his feet, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who paid the price for the sins of mankind shall receive the right and honor of King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all the earth. Mankind will turn over its dominion to Christ as we acknowledge him as most worthy to rule.

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool; his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man [Jesus] came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him [Jesus] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” [Daniel 7:9-14]

The wonderful redemption wrought out by Jesus Christ in the meridian of time, gave mankind an opportunity to return to the presence of God and ultimately turn the dominion back to its rightful owner and Creator.

One of the scribes offered to go with Jesus:

“And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20

Jesus was saying that no place had been prepared for his established earthly kingdom.

Jesus also gave us the parable of the wicked husbandmen:

“Behold, there was a certain householder, [God], who planted a vineyard, [our world], and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it; and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, [the dominion of man], and went into a far country. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did unto them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his son [Jesus] saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. And Jesus said unto them, When the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”  Matthew 21:35-43

The Kingdom of Christ shall ultimately triumph over all dominions:

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High [Jesus], whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Daniel 7:27

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