Lesson 02 – Adam Given Dominion

Sabbath, January 12, 2019

“Among the lower creatures Adam had stood as king, and so long as he remained loyal to God, all nature acknowledged his rule; but when he transgressed, this dominion was forfeited. The spirit of rebellion, to which he himself had given entrance, extended throughout the animal creation….” –Conflict and Courage, p. 19.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

1. At the beginning, whom did the Lord create to have dominion over the earth and everything in it?

Genesis 1:26-28 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. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And 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.

“Man was the crowning act of the creation of God, made in the image of God, and designed to be a counterpart of God…. Man is very dear to God, because he was formed in His own image.” –My Life Today, p. 126.

“Adam was crowned king in Eden. To him was given dominion over every living thing that God had created. The Lord blessed Adam and Eve with intelligence such as He had not given to any other creature. He made Adam the rightful sovereign over all the works of His hands. Man, made in the divine image, could contemplate and appreciate the glorious works of God in nature.” –Confrontation, pp. 10, 11.

“The earth is God’s, and He has committed all things to His Son. Adam was to reign subject to Christ. When Adam betrayed his sovereignty into Satan’s hands, Christ still remained the rightful King.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 129.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019

2. Even centuries after the fall, under whom did the Scriptures say that every-thing in this earth was placed?

Psalm 115:15, 16 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. 16The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Deuteronomy 32:8 When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

“Thus Christ sought to teach the disciples the truth that in God’s kingdom there are no territorial lines, no caste, no aristocracy; that they must go to all nations, bearing to them the message of a Saviour’s love. But not until later did they realize in all its fullness that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.’ Acts 17:26, 27.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 20.

“In words of matchless beauty and tenderness, the apostle Paul set before the sages of Athens the divine purpose in the creation and distribution of races and nations. ‘God that made the world and all things therein,’ declared the apostle, ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him.’ Acts 17:24-27.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 500.

God’s plan and promises

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

3. How did the Psalmist describe the dominion, glory, and honor that man received from God?

Psalm 8:4-6 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.

“The earth [was] originally given to man as his kingdom….” –The Great Controversy, p. 674; The Adventist Home, p. 540.

“At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan. ‘Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.’ 2 Peter 2:19…. God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. The Lord ‘formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.’ Isaiah 45:18. That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed by the power of God, and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode of the redeemed. ‘The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.’ ‘And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him.’ Psalm 37:29; Revelation 22:3.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 67.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019

4. What did prophecy declare concerning the children or descendants of God’s people?

Psalm 45:15, 16 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. 16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

“The Bible reveals the true philosophy of history. In those words of matchless beauty and tenderness spoken by the apostle Paul to the sages of Athens is set forth God’s purpose in the creation and distribution of races and nations: He ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him.’ Acts 17:26, 27. God declares that whosoever will may come ‘into the bond of the covenant.’ Ezekiel 20:37. In the creation it was His purpose that the earth be inhabited by beings whose existence should be a blessing to themselves and to one another, and an honor to their Creator. All who will may identify themselves with this purpose. Of them it is spoken, ‘This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.’ Isaiah 43:21.” –Education, pp. 173, 174.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

5. Besides this great privilege, what was the Lord’s plan from the beginning? Who knew this, and what did he look forward to?

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 11:9, 10 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

“Better than all the friendship of the world is the friendship of Christ’s redeemed…. And better than all the words of earthly praise will be the Saviour’s words to His faithful servants [Matthew 25:34 quoted].” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 374.

“It is recorded of the holy men of old that God was not ashamed to be called their God. The reason assigned is that instead of coveting earthly possessions or seeking happiness in worldly plans or aspirations they placed their all upon the altar of God and made disposition of it to build up His kingdom. They lived only for God’s glory and declared plainly that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is, an heavenly. Their conduct proclaimed their faith. God could entrust to them His truth and could leave the world to receive from them a knowledge of His will.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 188.

The Son’s mission

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2019

6. To reach this supreme goal, who was established as King in spiritual Zion, among His people?

Psalms 2:6, 7; 110:1, 2; 45:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee…. 110:1The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies…. 45:6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

“Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption. At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan. ‘Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.’ 2 Peter 2:19. When man became Satan’s captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became ‘the god of this world.’ 2 Corinthians 4:4. He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. But Christ, by His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin, would not only redeem man, but recover the dominion which he had forfeited. All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 67.

“Shall we not consecrate ourselves to God without reserve? Christ, the King of glory, gave Himself a ransom for us. Can we withhold anything from Him? Shall we think our poor, unworthy selves too precious, our time or property too valuable, to give to Jesus? No, no; the deepest homage of our hearts, the most skillful service of our hands, our talents of ability and of means–all are but too poor an offering to bring to Him who was slain and has ‘redeemed us to God by His blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.’ ” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 236.

SABBATH, JANUARY 12, 2019

7. Therefore, who is recognized and trusted as King by those who will inherit the promised kingdom?

Psalm 2:11, 12 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

“Apart from Christ we have no merit, no righteousness. Our sinfulness, our weakness, our human imperfection make it impossible that we should appear before God unless we are clothed in Christ’s spotless righteousness. We are to be found in Him not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness which is in Christ. Then in the name that is above every name, the only name given among men whereby men can be saved, claim the promise of God, saying, ‘Lord, forgive my sin; I put my hands into Thy hand for help, and I must have it, or perish. I now believe.’ The Saviour says to the repenting sinner, ‘No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me’ (John 14:6), ‘and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ John 6:37. ‘I am thy salvation.’ Psalm 35:3.” –Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 333, 334.

For additional study

“The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost by sin has been restored. ‘Thus saith the Lord … that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.’ Isaiah 45:18. God’s original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. ‘The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.’ Psalm 37:29.” –The Great Controversy, p. 674.

“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. ‘The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ Daniel 7:18.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 342.