Man's dominion means God gave mankind the ruling authority over the whole earth and its creatures—a position Adam lost to Satan and that Christ will ultimately reclaim.
In Genesis 1:26 and 1:28, God told man to subdue the earth and have dominion over the fish, fowl, cattle, and all the earth. Les Feldick teaches that Adam was to rule over creation as God's 'second in command,' but when he sinned he lost that dominion and Satan took it up. Daniel 7 shows the Son of Man later receiving dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom.
Genesis 1:26 — This is the original declaration that man, made in God's image, is to have dominion over the fish, fowl, cattle, and all the earth.
Genesis 1:28 — God blesses Adam and Eve and directly commands them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion.
Daniel 7:14 — This prophetic verse shows dominion being given to the Son of Man as an everlasting kingdom.
Genesis 1:26-28 records God's original dominion mandate: '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.' Then in verse 28 God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.' Daniel 7:14 uses the same vocabulary of dominion when it says of the Son of Man, 'And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.' Scripture thus gives man a real, delegated rule over the earthly creation, and it also points ahead to a restored, everlasting dominion given to the Son.
Les Feldick explains that the dominion of Genesis 1:28 was a total authority. Adam was to rule over the creation 'under God,' as God's literal 'second in command.' God was addressing both Adam and Eve together, even though Eve was still in Adam when the words were spoken. Adam had total dominion over the earth and all its living creatures, but when he sinned he lost it. 'He dropped the ball,' and Satan picked it up; from that time on, the Scripture identifies Satan as the god of this world. Les connects the original dominion to the future reign of Christ: in Daniel 7 and Revelation, God the Son is given 'dominion, and glory, and a kingdom' that will never pass away. That future kingdom will be absolute, total, and glorious, unlike Satan's current limited rule, which is still held in check by God's sovereignty.
God's word to Adam and Eve was, 'Be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion.' Les Feldick describes that as total dominion: Adam was to rule over creation under God and be literally God's second in command. God was speaking to both Adam and Eve, because Eve was still in Adam at that point.
Les teaches that Adam lost his dominion when he sinned. Adam 'dropped the ball,' and Satan picked it up. From then on, Satan is the god of this world. Les also notes that Satan's current rule is not absolute: he is held in check by the sovereign God, and he can only do so much.
Daniel 7:14 says dominion, glory, and a kingdom were given to the Son of Man, and His dominion is an everlasting dominion. Les ties this to Revelation 5: Adam had dominion in Genesis and lost it, but when God the Son comes before the Ancient of Days He is given dominion and an eternal kingdom. Christ's future kingdom will have absolute and total power, in contrast to Satan's current limited and checked rule.
The Trinity in Genesis 1:26
Les points out that the plural 'us' in Genesis 1:26 reflects the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who made man in Their image before giving him dominion.
Adam's Original Dominion
Les teaches that Adam and Eve were told to subdue the earth and have dominion, and that Adam was to rule over creation under God as His 'second in command.'
Dominion Lost to Satan
This clip repeats the Genesis 1:28 command and adds Les's point that when Adam sinned he lost dominion and Satan took it.
Dominion as Kingly Rule
Les defines dominion as 'something that rules like a king' and applies it spiritually in Romans 6:14, where believers are told not to let old Adam have dominion over them.
Adam Dropped the Ball
Les connects Genesis and Revelation: Adam had dominion and lost it when he sinned, and Satan took up the dominion that Adam dropped.
Christ's Total Dominion
Les explains that Christ is seated far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, with all things under His feet—the picture of total dominion.
Satan's Limited Rule vs. Christ's Kingdom
Les teaches that Satan currently rules as god of this world but is under God's checks and balances; Christ's future kingdom will be absolute, total, and glorious.
Dominion Given to the Son
Les explains Daniel 7: God the Son comes before the Ancient of Days and is given dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom, restoring the dominion that Adam lost.
Genesis 1:26: 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.
This is the original announcement of man's creation in God's image and the grant of dominion over the earth and its creatures.
Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God directly blesses Adam and Eve and commands them to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over every living thing.
Daniel 7:14: And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
This prophetic verse shows the same dominion language being applied to the Son of Man and His everlasting kingdom.
Ephesians 1:21: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Les uses this verse to picture Christ's exalted position far above every form of dominion.
No. The dominion in Genesis is a delegated authority given by God. Les Feldick says Adam was to rule over the creation 'under God' and was literally God's second in command. It was never an independent or absolute authority separate from God.
Les teaches that Adam lost his dominion when he sinned and Satan picked it up. Satan is the god of this world today, but he is still under God's sovereign checks and balances and can only do so much.
Yes—through Christ. Daniel 7 and Revelation show God the Son receiving dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Les connects this to the original dominion: Adam had it, lost it, and Christ will one day rule with absolute and total power over an everlasting kingdom.
Watch the Teaching: Genesis 1:26 Explained: The Trinity & The Creation of Man