Dominion Over Earth

Mankind was created, and is destined, to rule over the earth. This is the one of the foundational points being made in our passage this morning.

Those of you who normally take notes might not be ready for it yet, but we’re jumping right into the message today. This is a theological reality, and we’re going to be meditating on this for the first half of the message. Mankind was created, and is destined, to rule over the earth.

Verse 5 begins by pointing to the second part of that reality—man’s destiny. It says—For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.

There is a world to come. That’s part of the Christian faith. This is all heading toward something. Jesus Christ is going to return, and this world will be remade. And who is going to be in charge of that world? According to verse 5, it’s not the angels. So, who is it? The answer is mankind. Mankind, like I said was created, and is destined, to rule over the earth.

How do we know this? Well, like the author of Hebrews, has already done several times in chapter 1, he goes back to the Old Testament. Look at verse 6. Here’s his support for his claim. Verse 6—It has been testified somewhere.

That’s kind of a generic way to introduce a Bible verse, but I think what’s happening is that the writer is trying to move along in His point. He doesn’t need to cite where it’s from or who the human author was. He knows, and his audience knows, and we should know, that he is quoting from the word of God. This is god speaking. And in case your Bible doesn’t have a note telling you what he’s about to cite, these are a few verses out of Psalm 8, which was written by David.

Here’s the quote in Hebrews 2, going from the middle of verse 6 to the middle of verse 8.

“What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? [7] You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, [8] putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

When David wrote those words, he was reflecting on God’s design in creation. The two lines quoted in verse 6 are basically saying the same thing. David wasn’t simply talking about a specific man; he was talking about mankind. That phrase “son of man” is  a generic way of referring to a human.

One the one hand, mankind is weak and insignificant. In the infinite expanse of the universe, we are nothing. When I was a kid, the Animaniacs cartoon said it like this in a song: “It’s a great big universe, and we’re all really puny. We’re just tiny little specks about the size of Mickey Rooney.” And you have to know who Mickey Rooney is to really appreciate the line.

But despite mankind’s apparent insignificance in the universe, mankind has, on this planet, a relative measure of glory and honor. We have some authority in this world. We’re not just some animal. We’re different. Jesus even said that a human life is worth more than many sparrows or than a sheep. Why is that?

It’s because mankind was made in God’s image. We were made special. Back in Genesis 1, the opening chapter of the Bible, after 5 days of creating and filling the universe and this planet with plants and animals, 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

The creation account gives us insight into the mind of God when creating man. And then it continues saying this—So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Later, in Genesis 9, after the Flood, when Noah and his sons get out of the ark, and God is basically starting all over, God says the same thing he said to Adam. Mankind was created to rule over the earth. He said: Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered.

There’s a reason we have pet fish and turtles and cats and dogs, and it’s not the other way around. We were made in the image of God to rule over the earth.

That reality at creation is what the author of Hebrews picks up on and applies to the world to come. The world to come will be under the rule of man. This is something any Jew who studied their Bible understood. Mankind is destined to rule over the earth.

In Daniel chapter 7, Daniel had a dream with four beasts who were killed and replaced with a man. And angel tells Daniel what the dream meant. The beasts represented earthly rulers, but they will perish. And in Daniel 7:18, the angel says this—The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.

Then in verse 27, it says—And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.

What God intended at creation will be true in eternity. Mankind will rule forever. And this will be a comprehensive rule.

Let’s look back at Hebrews, chapter 2, verse 8. Starting in the second half, once the quote from Psalms is over. The author adds—Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. Mankind will rule over everything. This is God’s plan.

But what we know about the past and the future presents us with a problem, a contradiction, or a frustration. Mankind was created to rule over the earth. Mankind is destined to rule over the earth, but what about right now? We don’t see that authority being exercised, at least not in its fullest sense.

That’s what the end of verse 8 says—At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. The “him” there at the end of verse 8 is a reference to mankind. We don’t see this world perfectly surrendered to us, right?

I have weeds growing in my backyard, and I have cats using it as their own personal porta-potty. And you experience the same kinds of frustrations, right.

If you have a pet, does it perfectly listen to you? I assume not. And beyond what happens in our homes, we have wild animals that pose a great risk to our families. Animals can be very frustrating and very dangerous. And that’s just one aspect of this world that is not fully under our control.

We have earthquakes. We have diseases. We have volcanoes and tornados and hurricanes and floods. This world can be a very dangerous place, and we’re not in total control. We spend a lot of money and energy trying to gain or maintain control, but we don’t quite have it. This world is not fully subjected to mankind.

Why is that? Because sin entered into the world. Genesis 2 and 3 say that when mankind sinned against God, we lost our direct connection to God. Death came into the world. Romans 5 says that through Adam, sin and death entered the entire human race. Our ability to live up to God’s design was lost. We’re still accountable to it, but we can’t do it.

And while that reality brings frustration, as the people of God who know the future for his people. We are to live with hope. Those whom God rejects will be cast away forever, but those whom God accepts will be gloriously transformed along with this world, and they will rule forever. So, we live with hope.

Go back to verse 7 for a moment. It says that God made man “lower than the angels.” That’s talking about our lowly status. Angels can do things we cannot. Angels are much more impressive than us as spiritual beings.

But our position below the heavenly angels is not permanent. Verse 7 also says that we were made lower only “for a little while.” This idea isn’t as clear in the Hebrew Old Testament, but it’s part of the point being made here in Hebrews. This frustration, this pain, this humiliation is only temporary. Mankind was created, and is destined, to rule over the earth forever.

It’s an incredible truth, but now, what does it have to do with the book of Hebrews. Why bring this up? What does this have to do with the message of Hebrews?

The author of Hebrews says all this because he wants us to know that the bridge between mankind’s design at creation and mankind’s destiny for eternity is none other than Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One who takes any person—man, woman, or child—and enables and empowers him to fulfill God’s perfect destiny.

Jesus sets the pattern for us. What we see happen to Him is what will happen to all His people. We don’t see a world where we rule perfectly over everything, but what do we see?

Verse 9—But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

I want you to notice how the author is repeating words and phrases from the passage he just cited. Jesus, “for a little while was made lower than the angels.” Jesus has been “crowned with glory and honor.” Jesus went from humiliation to exaltation. From the perspective of this world, He went from a lowly position to the highest position.

How did that happen? It wasn’t easy. It happened through pain. It happened through and because of “the suffering of death.” If Jesus hadn’t suffered unto death, He would not have risen from the dead. He would not have fulfilled God’s plan. He would not have been exalted above all. It is His sacrificial death that led to His exaltation to the right hand of the Father.

Listen to how Paul puts it in Philippians 2, verse 8-11—And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Do you see that connection? It’s because Jesus suffered that He was exalted. And it’s because Jesus was exalted that He is now going to exalt every person that belongs to Him.

The author of Hebrews takes the language of Psalm 8 and applies it directly to Jesus. Is that because Jesus is the fulfilment of Psalm 8? I’m not sure that’s the best way to put it.

In His own way, Jesus fulfils Psalm 8, but more than simply fulfilling this Psalm in Himself, Jesus enables Psalm 8 to be fulfilled for a new humanity. Because of Jesus, Psalm 8 applies to every single person who belongs to Him. We are humbled in this life, for a little while, but we will be glorified one day, when Christ returns.

This is, as verse 9 calls it, the grace of God. This is God’ kindness to His people. This was God’s plan—that Jesus would taste death for everyone.

Jesus, if you will, drank the poison that we all deserved to drink, and He cancelled its effects it on our behalf. He neutralized death for His people.

The heart of the gospel is a substitution. There is a trading of places. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, you may die physically, but death will never lead to the judgment or the wrath of God. In Christ, you died. The price has been paid.

One day, when Christ physically comes to rule and subjugate this world, you will reign with Him, along with a new humanity. Jesus is the only way to be fully restored to the image of God. Trusting in and following Jesus is the only way for you to fulfill God’s eternal purpose for you as a human.

Your life is now in Christ. Everything this world can offer is nothing compared to Him. This world will have you, like Nebuchadnezzar, live like an animal. You will not reach your full potential through anything in this world. It only happens through Jesus Christ.

Why is this so important for the author of Hebrews to explain? Why take this angle right now?

Let me give you two answers to that question, and each of them is a great place as you seek to meditate on and apply this message. Number one, the author makes this argument to prove, and to help us see, the greatness of Jesus. The greatness of Jesus.

Do you remember the main message of chapter 1? It is that Jesus is greater than angels. Chapter 2 is a continuation of the same point.

And here’s how that point is being made. This world will not be ruled by angels. It will be ruled by men. In fact, 1 Corinthians 6 says we will even rule over angels one day. Angels are powerful beings relative to our frail humanity, but one day, mankind will rule.

So, if the authority of this world will be given to mankind, and all authority has been given to Christ, Jesus is a man, and not an angel. Jesus is greater than angels, not simply as the Son of God, but also as the Son of Man. He is the true representative of humanity. Adam was our first representative, and he plunged us into sin. Christ came as a man and He provided the promised solution. He is greater than angels in His deity and also in His humanity. Isn’t that amazing?

Jesus is the One who will rule perfectly, and who will transform mankind. He is the second Adam, the new Adam. He is the one who undoes, and who will undo, what the first Adam caused. He undoes the curse of sin and death. What a beautiful and glorious Savior we have who has taken upon Himself our curse, so that we would have His blessing.

The second reason, or the second application of this truth, is to prove, and to help us see, the greatness of our salvation. The greatness of Jesus, and the greatness of our salvation.

Chapter 2, verse 3 asked the question: How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This is that great salvation it’s talking about. This is what people were going to be forfeiting if they walked away from Jesus and from His church. This is what you forfeit if you walk away from Christ, or if you’re just playing games with Him.

Walk away, or drift away from Jesus Christ, and you will have nothing of His blessings. You will not fulfill your full human potential. You will burn forever in torment and agony under the wrath of God.

But trust in Him, depend fully and only on Him, and this great salvation is yours. Does that mean that this life is going to be amazing now? Spiritually, there are blessings that will be yours, specifically knowing God personally through His Son. But from an earthly standing, this life is going to be hard. This life will be filled with suffering.

That’s what the original audience of this letter was experiencing. Government persecution was ramping up. Opposition was mounting. So, on top of the daily war against their own sin, they felt the hatred of the world around them.

And that is why verse 9 refers to Jesus’ suffering. Jesus knows what it’s like. He identifies with it. He experienced it Himself, and He experiences it with His people. Because of His suffering, He was glorified. And because of our suffering in His name, we will be glorified as well.

For a short time, we’re going to suffer. But we do it with hope. It’s only for a little while.

Turn with me to Romans chapter 8. Maybe some of you already had this passage in mind because it touches so much on the topics we’ve addressed already. Romans chapter 8, verse 18. Romans 8:18.

Paul says—For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. And then he goes on to describe that coming glory.

Vere 19—For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. The world is waiting for a new humanity.

Verse 20—For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

This is an amazing truth! The judgment God brought on this world because of sin will be undone. When mankind fell into sin, this world fell into corruption as well. The spiritual ugliness was demonstrated through physical ugliness in this world.

But one day, when a new, redeemed, glorified humanity fills the earth, this world will be new, redeemed, and glorified as well. We will be transformed, and then so will this world. The beautiful and glorious transformation Jesus brings in us will be demonstrated in this world as well, and there will be a new heavens and a new earth for us to enjoy and rule over forever.

This is all because of our great Savior Jesus Christ. As the perfect Man, Jesus fulfills the purpose of God for mankind and leads His people into it. Jesus fulfills Psalm 8, not just in His death and resurrection and exaltation, but in the glorification and the rule and authority of His people for all eternity.

To use the language of Revelation 5, that wonderful hymn praising Christ, Jesus Christ was slain, and by His blood He ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and He made them a kingdom and priests to God, and they shall reign on the earth.

Because of Jesus, the curse is undone. We will reign over the earth forever. Christ, who has been given all authority, will share that authority, or delegate that authority, to a redeemed humanity.

Earlier in the message I referenced the opening chapters of the Bible when I talked about creation. I think it’s fitting, then to close by having us turn to the final chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22.

This is the Apostle John’s vision of the eternal state. This is the final picture of eternity. This is the final set up for what life will be like in its final phase.

Revelation 22, verse 3—No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

We, as a redeemed humanity, will rule with Christ forever. It’s just like the song we sing: Jesus Shall Reign … He shall reign forever with His chosen Bride. All the earth shall sing that Jesus is the King!