Our Domain

Read: Psalm 115

The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity. Psalm 115:16

IN WORD

Long ago in Eden, God gave human beings authority over the earth (Genesis 1:28). It wasn’t full autonomy; we were meant to implement His will as stewards of His authority—a partnership between the Creator and the created, blending our desires and decisions with His overall purposes. God entrusted us with a lot.

When God brought us into partnership with Him, He didn’t give us authority over everything. We aren’t masters of the universe. He gave us dominion over this planet. When Revelation tells us we will reign with Him forever, the domain is the new earth. Even now, we have authority in this realm and a sacred responsibility to learn how to exercise that authority. The well-being of the planet—and the people around us—depends on our fulfillment of the role He assigned.

That doesn’t mean we can’t influence the invisible world. Scripture speaks of “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV). Our prayers and our actions impact this unseen battlefield because this battlefield influences earthly activities. God is above the fray in the highest heaven—what Paul referred to as the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2)—where no battle rages. But wherever spirits of darkness dwell in places that affect our earthly existence, we have authority. God has given it to us in order to implement His victory.

IN DEED

Many people confuse these distinctions, either claiming spiritual authority in realms where they don’t have it, or disowning human authority in all earthly matters because it’s all God’s domain. Today’s verse affirms the distinctions clearly. All authority in every realm belongs to God, and the highest heavens are exclusively His domain. But He has given earth to mankind. We are to actively, assertively seek to establish His Kingdom on this planet, praying for His will to be done and His Kingdom to come, and living out the answers to our own prayers. The King is filling His Kingdom with people who understand the Kingdom ways.

ADDITIONAL READING: Genesis 1:28

Already we have within us the life of heaven.

GEORGE ELDON LADD