After God gives mankind (male and female) their assignment of restoration: Multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, He said for them to have dominion over all the earth. That word dominion is important because it tells us two things. The first thing we see is that the Hebrew word for dominion means to have rulership; to rule and reign.
But here is something else that we can learn about dominion. God did not give Adam ownership. He said "have dominion" - not have ownership, or not have the earth. He did not give the planet to Adam. He gave dominion to Adam. The earth still belongs to the Lord.
So what we are talking about here is a lease. Someone who leases a property has authority over that property for the length of the lease.
When you sign the lease on a dwelling, you can paint that dwelling; you can recarpet or decorate to your taste. This is not so in a month-to-month rental, but with a lease the place is yours for the length of the lease. And once you and the owner signs that lease, the owner gives up authority over the place.
The same holds true in the earth. God gave Adam a lease in the earth, and then He said "have dominion." And then God gave Adam an assignment to multiply the earth. Replenish the earth, subdue the earth. And any assignment that God ever calls anyone to do, He gives them an anointing to do it. And the anointing that he had on him was the Spirit of God who moved on the face of the waters. The glory of God was on Adam and his assignment of restoration.
Genesis gives us God's plan for man. God's plan is for you to have dominion in the earth. Since Adam gave up his authority, Jesus bought it back. And everyone that believes on Jesus now has the dominion that Adam had before he gave it away.
Your assignment then is to have dominion. And with that assignment God gave you the anointing to do it. It is the same anointing that was on Adam when the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters. The glory of God is on you to walk in restoration and dominion.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:2-3; Genesis 5:2; Psalm 24:1
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
