Inherited Authority to Rule! Part 3: The Nature of Our Restored Dominion
Agapetos,
In the previous post (Part 2 of Inherited Authority to rule!), we saw:
How man (Adam) gave up his dominion (unconditional authority) given to him by God.
How God never violates His Word by going against what He said, so that when He gave man dominion on the earth, He would keep it at that.
How, because of God's great integrity and unwavering faithfulness to His promises, He came (manifested) as Man, in human flesh. This was the divine strategy for reclamation, necessary because "God is not a man, that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19).
So, the questions that remain:
"How exactly did we get to regain power and authority?"
... and what is the nature of our inherited authority, made possible by the finished work of Christ?
The Enemy's Usurped Power vs. Man's Original Dominion
Well, let's first clarify where the enemy got his power from.
Like all angels, Lucifer was created with a specific purpose—to worship YHVH! Angels have specific power only. It is called assigned authority (some say delegated authority), and their purpose (assignment) is to minister. As seen in Hebrews 1:14, angels are "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation."
The purpose of assigned power and authority is directly related to the assignment and to the assignment only. This kind of authority can be repealed or taken away at any given time. It can be unassigned or withdrawn.
The power and authority that Lucifer was given was exactly this kind of assigned authority. Reaching beyond this authority brought him down, as Jesus Himself declared in Luke 10:18: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." This fall from heaven, often connected with Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17, marked his transition from a worshipping angel to the adversary, but his authority remained assigned, not inherent.
When Adam fell into sin (Genesis 3:6), he handed over man-given dominion authority (the unconditional power and authority) to the one he submitted to. Thus, Satan ruled on earth until Jesus defeated him. This was a usurped authority, a stolen dominion, not an inherent one.
Man's Unconditional Dominion: A Divine Endowment
Man, on the other hand, was created with unconditional authority, a direct and inherent endowment from the Creator:
"And God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish 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.'" (Genesis 1:26) Notice the end of the sentence there? Other than for angels, dominion to man is given without condition. This dominion (Hebrew: רָדָה, radah, meaning "to tread down, to subjugate, to rule, to prevail against") was a divine mandate for mankind to govern and oversee the earth. It was intrinsic to his very creation in God's image.
Self-Empowerment: The Enemy's Fatal Flaw
The prophet Isaiah gives us a vivid account of what happened to the fallen chief worshiping angel, revealing the essence of his self-empowerment:
"For thou hast said in thine heart, 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.' Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, 'Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;'" (Isaiah 14:13-16) This passage, often understood as referring to Lucifer's fall, highlights his desire to usurp authority, to "be like the Most High." He sought inherent authority, which was never his, but only belonged to God. He rebelled against his assigned authority.
Then Came Abdication: The Transfer of Dominion
That's where the fall came in for humanity. Through deception, the enemy enticed mankind into abdicating the dominion he had. There is something we should understand very, very clearly: the enemy only had the power that man afforded him. Man's authority differed fundamentally in that it was unconditional authority on earth. This was the very thing the enemy desired and obtained through deception, becoming the "prince of this world" by usurpation, not by creation or divine decree.
Because man was now the subject of the one he abdicated to, God could not, or would not, impulsively wipe out all that came under the stolen authority of Satan. God loved us too much to simply exterminate all of creation and start over. As Genesis 1:31 states: "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good [before the fall]." His love and His Word precluded annihilation.
... and today? The same goes. The enemy only has the power that man affords him! His power is based on deception and on what he can convince people to yield to him.
... but notice that Isaiah 14:16 says that in the last days we'll be quite surprised when we see the enemy and say: "Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?" alluding to his ultimate feebleness and cowardice in the face of God's triumph. This prophetic question points to his ultimate humiliation, a foreshadowing of the finished work of Christ.
One Man Changed It All: The Finished Work of Christ
Man's fallen position remained the status quo until the wondrous cross of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His arrival and His work forever shifted the cosmic scales.
Today, on this side of the cross, we stand in a better covenant with a better promise (Hebrews 8:6). We were not only given back our dominion by the Man, Christ Jesus, who, as Colossians 2:15 declares, "having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it," but we are given a far greater authority (inherited).
Let's unpack Colossians 2:15 as a cornerstone of Christ's finished work:
"Spoiled" is the Greek word ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai), which means "to strip off, divest oneself of, put off." Jesus, through His death on the cross, utterly stripped the demonic powers and authorities (the "principalities and powers") of their weapons, their clothing, their insignia of power – everything that gave them a perceived legal right or authority over humanity. He literally disarmed them!
"Triumphing over them" is the Greek θριαμβεύω (thriambeuō), referring to a Roman triumphal procession. A conquering general would parade his defeated enemies, disarmed, humiliated, and often chained, through the streets of Rome, publicly displaying his absolute victory. Jesus didn't just defeat them in secret; He made a public spectacle of their utter defeat on the cross itself, triumphing over them right there, for all to see in the spiritual realm!
The first Adam was given dominion over the earth. The Second Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45), said: "All power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). This authority, called ἐξουσία (exousia) in Greek, signifies inherent authority, the right to act, control, and govern. And referring to this comprehensive authority, He then said: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the Great Commission, a mandate to receive and operate under His newly reclaimed and all-encompassing authority.
A Glorious Power-Shift: Inherited Authority in Christ
You see! The finished work of Christ has fundamentally changed our position. We are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) because "as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). This means our spiritual standing, our righteousness, and our authority are derived from and joined to His. We are not just beneficiaries; we are joint participants in His triumph.
Also, our power and authority is not a merely delegated authority (like the angels' assigned authority that can be withdrawn)(also see this post). It is more profound. We now have power and authority that cannot be disowned: IT IS INHERITED AUTHORITY! As sons and daughters by adoption (Galatians 4:5-7), we are granted access to our Father's full inheritance, which includes all the authority of Christ.
We can choose not to use it, but it is always ours to exercise at any given moment over the enemy and his works. God does not go against His own word. The Gifts and the callings of God are without repentance (ἀμεταμέλητος, ametamelētos in Greek, meaning "not repented of, unchangeable, irreversible"). Romans 11:29 reinforces that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. What He has given through Christ, He will not take back!
Ignorance and Blame-Shifting: The Enemy's Last Stand
Yet, we can still permit the enemy to abuse us and make us believe that we are helpless. Mostly though, he will make you believe that you do not have any authority, that you are subject to your circumstances, and that somehow God is the One responsible for the set-backs in your life. This is the ongoing deception he wields.
But, the character of God is immovable and unchangeable. He is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth (Psalm 103:8; Exodus 34:6-7), and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). His good will for us is unwavering because of what Christ has already secured.
Power and Authority with a Purpose: Destroying the Works of the Devil
We are now following in the very purpose Jesus came – "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8). The Greek word for "destroy" here is λύω (lyō), meaning "to loose, release, set free, dissolve, demolish, annul." Jesus came to dismantle, annul, and render ineffective every work that the devil had established through Adam's fall! And He finished that work.
For this very reason He said: "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19). This "power" is ἐξουσία (exousia) – the same inherent authority and right to act that Jesus Himself declared to possess in Matthew 28:18. It's the authority and power to operate above and against all the schemes and might of the adversary.
All we need is to "receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." (Acts 1:8). This "power" is δύναμις (dynamis), referring to inherent strength, ability, or miraculous power. The Holy Spirit empowers us to manifest the authority we have in Christ.
Power and Authority to Execute: The Gospel is the Power!
But what is this Power? This Authority? This dominion? What is this witnessing?
The Word of God is very explicit about what this power really is. And it is not a stupid superman, fleshly kind of power!
Paul says it beautifully in Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Can I just say that again? Just so we don't miss it:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS THE POWER OF GOD ONTO SALVATION!
Let's clarify salvation (Greek: σωτηρία, sōtēria) here:
The Thayer Definition is clear. It is:
Deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation - This encompasses deliverance from the molestation of enemies (spiritual, physical, mental), signifying freedom from all that binds, as achieved by Christ's finished work.
Salvation as the present possession of all true Christians - It is not merely a future hope, but a present reality. We are saved now, living in the benefits of Christ's victory.
Future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
This broad definition of sōtēria makes it clear that the Gospel's power brings holistic deliverance – past, present, and future – flowing from Christ's completed work.
Practical Power and Authority: The Commission in Action
Notice when Jesus sends or commissions His disciples (which includes us). In every instance, He first says to preach the Gospel of His Salvation followed by healing, casting out of demons, etc. This is also how He did it when He walked the face of this earth as Man. He demonstrated the Gospel's power.
What is the Power?
The Gospel of Jesus is the Power! Jesus is the Power! HalleluYAH!
And he ordained [the] twelve (those called from amongst), that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils (Mark 3:14-15). This demonstrates the practical outflow of the Gospel.
In this perfect, beautiful Gift, sōtēria, we have the Power of God abiding in us, because the Holy Spirit, who raised Christ from the dead, dwells in us (Romans 8:11).
For the preaching of the cross [the Gospel] is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross, the very symbol of Christ's finished work, is the source of this divine power.
How Do We Go About with This Great Power? A Kingdom Mindset
Jesus explains how we are to exercise this authority, contrasting it with worldly dominion:
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, 'Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'" (Matthew 20:25-28) Our dominion is expressed through servanthood (serving that power), reflecting Christ's own example. We minister from a position of authority, not for self-exaltation, but to serve others and destroy the works of the devil.
What then will keep us from exercising this? What will stop us from walking in this authority? Who may dare to come against us, now that Christ has already triumphed? "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
The Gospel is in your hands. You have received. Go! "Go ye therefore..." (Matthew 28:19) "And as ye go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8) This is the mandate for believers to carry forth the finished work of Christ in practical, demonstrable power.