We spoke last month about how the first couple had dominion. That is also our authority and we must apprehend what is already ours. Gen. 1:26).

1. OVER the fish of the sea—the distance downward and penetration of dominion
2. OVER the fowl of the air—the height and extent of our dominion
3. OVER cattle—the animals and natural world of dominion
4. OVER all the earth—the expanse and breadth of dominion
5. OVER every creeping thing -- the width and extent of dominion.
6. OVER every living thing that moves — the completeness of dominion.
7. They were to tend and keep the garden

Each believer has an obligation to pursue the mandate of ruling our garden (area of dominion -- to tend and guard). This assignment to protect and guard that which the Lord has given, still remains. Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost (Lk. 19:10) and He now awaits the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21). Ruling in the Edenic template of dominion, power, and AUTHORITY defines our destiny.

In order for us to understand this reacquired authority, we must have a clear understanding of those Edenic instructions, and realize how they should apply to our understanding of leadership today.

BE FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY, AND FILL THE EARTH
A true leader reproduces vitality and ABUNDANT LIFE (Jn. 10:10). He/she plants seeds of life that spring forth to fill the earth with the glory and image of God.

SUBDUE AND HAVE DOMINION
The Hebrew for dominion and subdue radah and kawash – these words mean to “subjugate, tread down, dominate, scrape out, conquer, violate, or bring into subjection.” God first leaders had the total ability to subdue all evil. They were well able to forcefully control their environment. They needed strategy and energy to accomplish his assignment. Today’s God-given government has the authority to subjugate all opposition and rule over their assigned territories.

TO TEND AND TO KEEP
To “tend” is the Hebrew word awbad and it means to “dress, work, bring to pass, or husbandman.” It also means “to till, to serve, or to execute.” Amazingly, this word “awbad” is translated five times in the Old Testament as worship! The apostolic leader must always remember that in order for Adam to tend the garden, he had to do the work worshipfully.
The word “keep” is shawmar means “to hedge about, protect, to watch, to retain or care for” (see Gen. 18:19 – keeping covenant, 2 Kings 2:14, Job 2:6, Ps. 121:4). This is principle applies to us today as we care for the garden of our heart as well as the garden of the world. Leaders are supposed to watchfully protect what is placed under their care – and that can be both people and geographic regions.

* Adam was given charge over the garden. He had a limited sphere of authority – the garden. Once he was banished from the garden, he no longer had any authority. If we violate our assigned domain, then we totally forfeit our sphere of authority.

* The name “Adam” meant “ruddy ground.” After the fall, God said that man was to “till the ground from which he was taken” (Gen. 3:23). An internal working had to be accomplished within Adam, himself.

NAMING the ANIMALS:

This function of NAMING the animals allowed Adam to give them identity. Within Adam’s names were the animal’s roles, meaning, and purpose for existence. Whatever Adam said they were, is what were. Their name defined their behavior. This creative NAMING becomes a significant role of the apostolic leader. The prophetic creativity of our words releases Godly authority into those who receive.

Much later, we find that Jesus was offered authority over the world from the Devil. He did not dispute that it was his. Luke 4:5-7 “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this AUTHORITY I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if you will worship before me, all will be Yours.” Jesus was offered ALL authority – if He would worship the Devil just once. But, Jesus guarded Himself from desiring FALSE authority. He already had all of God’s authority.

The disciples went from village to village, preaching the gospel and being a demonstration of dominion. Jesus told them (Luke 9:3-6) that they didn't’t need any luggage, or food, or money, or extra clothing. They only needed the authority that came from using His name. It was nothing they deserved or earned. And to this day, we are commissioned by God to walk in that same arena of God-given authority.

The CHURCH exists to restore humankind to that image of Christ. Let’s repeat it! God never changed His mind or altered His plan for humans to subdue, conquer, guard, defend, and take dominion authority over the world and the enemy. The devil can’t stop an unstoppable and fully functional church that operates upon the revelation of Divine authority. We are to take His authority that was given to us and SUBDUE kingdoms. This is a non negotiable issue. We must begin to maturely use our authority within the parameters of God’s great design.

Nobody is supposed to SUBDUE, subjugate, or take dominion OVER other people. DOMINION doesn't’t mean DOMINATION. We must use our authority rightly. The massive misuse of authority explains why there’s such a resistance and a “don’t tell me what to do” attitude in the church these days towards authority figures. And yet, we see a strong Biblical theme of leadership (grace offices) who led with “authority.”

The first couple was supposed to establish God’s kingdom on the earth. But, in spite of all the wonderful opportunities, they failed miserably. God decided to send a second Adam, One who would accomplish the original intent. Jesus regained (ransomed) what was lost in the Fall; He redeemed and restored humanity’s full authority upon planet earth. Jesus defeated Satan and gave us the keys to regain our dominion.

Jesus explained that ALL authority (exousia-- the ability or strength with which one is endued, or the right to exercise power) in heaven and on earth was given to Him (Matt. 28:18-20). Please notice that in our perfect Model of apostolic leadership, Jesus, said that the authority that He operated in was not His own (John 14:10). This referral back to God being in charge, must also be the key premises of present day church -- authority belongs to God. He GIVES IT TO US TO USE. Therefore, we must desire close communications with God in order to receive His instructions.

In Luke 9:1, Jesus gave the disciples that same power (dunamis-- the ability and might to BRING UNDER) and authority (exousia – same as what Jesus has) to CAST OUT all demons, CURE the sick, and PREACH the Kingdom of God.

To be continued --