“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God said, “Let Us make man in our image, according to Our likeness; and let them RULE (my emphasis) over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and OVER ALL THE EARTH (my emphasis), and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:1, 26

God made man to rule the earth and everything on it, even as God rules the universe. But God gave Adam one commandment: He wanted Adam to know that although he was the ruler of earth, he was still under God and accountable to Him. In other words, as long as Adam submitted to God’s rule over Him, he would be working in fellowship with the Lord; but if he disobeyed, the fellowship would be broken and Adam would be disqualified to rule.

I don’t know exactly when iniquity entered into Lucifer’s heart, but it did. What I do know is what his iniquity was. Isaiah tells us exactly what was in Satan’s heart.

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn!…you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14

In case you weren’t counting, there are five “I wills” in there. Lucifer, the Devil, Satan determined that he would become like God and become the ruler of heaven and earth. This is about as simple a definition as you will get of the religion that the Oprahs of this world promote: that man can become a god. But God had plans that Lucifer knew nothing about; plans that would destroy Satan and those who follow him; plans that would bring to perfection what God purposed when He created the heavens, the earth and man.

When man was made, he was made in the image and likeness of God, and he was made to rule. From Adam’s lineage, God would bring forth another Man, One who would Rule perfectly as God intended; He would be both God and Man. And this second Man would be appointed to rule over everything in heaven and on earth. The first man Adam was disobedient and Satan became the “prince of this world.”

But when Christ came into this world, He humbled Himself and became obedient to His Father; even to giving Himself to death on the cross for the sin of the world. Because Jesus was obedient, God raised Him up from the dead and made Him Lord over everything in heaven and on earth. Lord means the Father placed Him, “…Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:21

God made man to rule and rule he will. When a person believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, they are baptized into Him. They become one in Him and with Him. The most intimate union that ever will be: Christ in you and you in Christ; and all one in God. This oneness brings us to the truth of man (male/female) made to rule.

The Old Testament prophets foretell of a day when Jesus Christ will return to rule the world. He will come with all His saints to destroy the kingdoms of this world and to establish His kingdom over which He and His saints will rule. The kingdoms of the world will be destroyed.

“Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.” Daniel 7:27

Jesus wants you to begin your rule today: rule your thoughts, your words and your actions: bring them under the authority of God’s Word.

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net