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 gave up his dominion (unconditional authority) gi...){kind=link}
In the Inherited Authority to rule! Part 2 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, He came (manifested) as Man, in human flesh
So, the question remains
"How exactly did we get to regain power and authority?"
... and what is the nature of our inherited authority?
The enemy has power
Well, let's first see 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.
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 This kind of authority can be repealed or taken away at any given time. It can be unassigned or withdrawn.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 - I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)
When Adam fell in sin, he handed over dominion authority (power and authority given to man) to the one he submitted to and satan ruled on earth until Jesus defeated him.
Man has power and authority
Man, on the other hand, was created with unconditional authority:
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. Gen 1:26
Notice the end of the sentence there? Other than for angels, dominion to man is given without condition.
Self-empowerment
The prophet Isaiah gives us an account of what happened to the fallen chief worshiping angel:
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; Isa 14:13-16
Then came abdication
That's where the fall came in.
Through deception the enemy enticed mankind in 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 in that it was unconditional authority on earth. The very thing the enemy desired and obtained through deception.
Because man was now the subject of the one he abdicated to, God could 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 - And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good [before the fall]. Gen 1:31
... and today?
The same goes. The enemy only has the power that man affords him!
... but notice that Isaiah 13:16 says that in the last days we'll be quite surprised when we see the enemy and say: "Is this really him?" alluding to his feebleness and cowardice.
One Man changed it all
Man's position remained the status quo until the wondrous cross of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Today, this side of the cross, we stand in a better covenant with a better promise.
We were not only given back our dominion by the Man, Christ Jesus having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Col 2:15), but we are given a far greater authority.
The first Adam was given dominion over the earth. The second Adam said all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth and referring to this He 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. Mat 28:18-20
A glorious power-shift
You see!
We are co-heirs with Christ because as he is, so are we in this world. 1Jn 4:17
Also, our power and authority is not a delegated authority.
We now have power and authority that can not be disowned: IT IS INHERITED AUTHORITY!
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 is without repentance. Rom 11:29
Ignorance and blame-shifting
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.
But, the character of God is immovable and unchangeable. He is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom 11:29
Power and authority with a purpose
We are following in the purpose Jesus came - For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1Jn 3:8
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. Luk 10:19
All we need is to receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me ... Act 1:8
Power and authority to execute
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 (sōtēria) here:
The Thayer Definition is clear. It is:
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation - deliverance from the molestation of enemies in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) 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
Practical power and authority
Notice when Jesus sends or commissions his disciples (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.
What is the Power?
The Gospel of Jesus is the Power!
Jesus is the Power!
HalleluYAH!
And he ordained [the] twelve, 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 Mar 3:14-15
In this perfect, beautiful Gift, sōtēria, you have the Power of God abiding in you.
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. 1Co 1:18
How do we go about with this great Power?
Jesus explains:
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. Mat 20:25-28
What then will keep us?
What will stop us?
Who may dare to come against us?
The Gospel is in your hands.
You have received.
Go!
Go ye therefore ...
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. Mat 10:7-8