The creation story tells of man being made in the image and likeness of God and given a role of exercising rule over everything on earth. “So God created man in His own image ….male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over…..every living thing that moves upon the earth'” (Genesis 1:27,28). And the last book of the bible describes a city called the new Jerusalem descending from heaven as the eternal dwelling place for those faithful in the sight of God (Revelation 21:1,2).
Permitted to enter gates of this new Jerusalem are those obedient to the commandments of God and they’re given a right to the tree of life previously located in the garden of Eden at creation (Revelation 22:14). Further details about those who’ll inherit eternal life in the majesty of heaven are found in the letters to seven churches in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation. A single theme with promises of Jesus to each church is that of overcoming. It is “to him that overcomes” that rewards are given, those who subdued opposition in order to have dominion over the world, self, and the devil
When Adam and Eve were told to subdue and have dominion over everything on earth, it was implied there existed that over which they needed to prevail. They’d been given a gift of free will by their Creator, meaning they had the option of living in obedience to the will of God. Free will was a gift also given to angelic beings earlier when some, led by Lucifer, rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven with the one now known as Satan or the devil. And God knew in advance that Adam would be deceived and his disobedience would result in that known as the Fall. So a backup plan was in place, God’s Son to become “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
The gift of free will given Adam would lead to eating from a forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil and as a result be cut off from the tree of eternal life. Here is a lesson for all of us, lest anyone be deceived. We live continuously in the presence of the same two trees, one representing the ways of God, the other the ways of man. And Jesus has said all will someday be resurrected: “they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29). So God’s command to subdue and have dominion is one having eternal consequences.
The scriptures describe actions taken by God to make it possible for man to again have an opportunity to subdue and have dominion over the forces seeking to derail man’s pursuit of eternal life in heaven. But for those having pursuit of God foremost in their hearts, the primary goal is not heaven. Instead it is bringing heaven to earth as Jesus has instructed us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The goal is to be getting heaven into us so that God’s will might be done on earth as it is in heaven.
False prophets of which Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warn have been successful by coming “in sheep’s clothing” while inwardly being “ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). It is a description of religious leaders with an appearance of spirituality, having attended and been ordained from a bible school or seminary. But despite having what the world accepts as valid credentials for ministry, they are not representing the Father in heaven or His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed Jesus tells that these false preachers and teachers can be recognized: “By their fruits you shall know them” (7:20).
It is an indescribable tragedy that such false prophets have not been recognized for who they are and what they represent, described by Paul as “deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). However, a significant part of the tragedy is that a multitude of those who profess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are basically illiterate with regard to the scriptures.
As described in Hebrews, they need to have someone teach them the elementary truths of God’s word from the beginning. Despite having attended church for years, they are ready for milk only like an infant, not being prepared for any solid food or strong meat regarding righteousness. As such, they have not trained their senses to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).
