We are told in Genesis 1 that God said to man “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Does this mean we are to take “dominion” over the creation today?

This dominion means to maintain order, and it is to be exercised over other creatures not people. It was first given to Adam and his wife and was to be the for the whole human race (Psalms 8:6-8). Man was to have sovereignty over the animal creation and other creatures.  Because of our being made in God’s image we were given a higher moral and spiritual nature. Our capacity for right thinking, knowledge, holiness, and righteousness, would be expressed in our ruling over the other creatures.

Dominion does not mean we as the church or government are to rule over humans or nations. This wanting to rule over other people (dominion) is from man’s fallen nature. God made man to serve just as Jesus gave us the example as a perfect man- He came to serve. 

When Adam and Eve sinned they were told to leave the garden and were forbidden back into it. The only entrance in was guarded by God’s glory. This garden was destroyed in the flood- this was the area God first gave them to exercise their dominion over before it would spread.  They failed and God has never renewed this to any people nor has he given this mandate to any sinful man to be their replacement. This was not passed down to their children.

God took man’s dominion away when they disobeyed him and became sinful- and we still are sinful UNTIL the resurrection, which means we are unable to have this dominion.  To hold to the position that man is to take up the dominion he had in the garden is a denial of the curse that is still affecting mankind. God told Adam thorns and thistles would come from his work, he had lost dominion and was subject to the fallen world.

It is not until Christ comes again and the church has received the resurrection that we are suitable to co rule and reign on the earth under Christs rule.

Daniel 7:14 “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion” V. 27Then the kingdom and dominion ,And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.'