Dominion

[Lamb]

In Genesis 1:28 God gave man dominion over the animals, fishes and birds. I've heard arguments about what people think this means (especially from vegetarians/vegans). So what is dominion?

 

[MoreCoffee]

In Genesis 1:28 God gave man dominion over the animals, fishes and birds. I've heard arguments about what people think this means (especially from vegetarians/vegans). So what is dominion?

The word refers to rulership.

Dominion: Ownership of material goods, entitling the owner to proprietary rights, i.e., to use, change, keep, or dispose of what one owns. Christianity views dominion as not absolute, but always relative to the common good of society. (Etym. Latin dominium, dominion, might, power; from dominus, master.)

 

[Josiah]

What MoreCoffee said.....

 

[Lamb]

Is there a limit?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Is there a limit?

Yes, God is ruler of all and human dominion is always subject to God.

 

[Lamb]

What happens when animals become extinct? Have we overstepped our dominion and become dominating instead?

 

[MoreCoffee]

What happens when animals become extinct? Have we overstepped our dominion and become dominating instead?

God called humanity to tend and care for the Garden that he created, it may be God's purpose that some animals become extinct but many animals are now extinct because of human actions motivated by greed or necessity. My view is that too many of God's creatures have been harmed by thoughtless human beings.

 

[Josiah]

An evolutionist would likely praise extinction - it's largely what drives evolution. I think the "problem" comes that some evolutionists believe that there is one species who is disallowed from this process: Humans. Indeed, we should work against evolution by helping the threatened. Of course, the "mess" in all this is that humans are often the cause of the threat, which may suggest we are abusing the dominion; after all, we are to CARE for the Creation, not destroy it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

An evolutionist would likely praise extinction - it's largely what drives evolution. I think the "problem" comes that some evolutionists believe that there is one species who is disallowed from this process: Humans. Indeed, we should work against evolution by helping the threatened. Of course, the "mess" in all this is that humans are often the cause of the threat, which may suggest we are abusing the dominion; after all, we are to CARE for the Creation, not destroy it.

I think that evolution implies extinction but not extinctions on a massive scale in a short time period. Such mass extinctions in short periods of time are, without doubt, rare and most dangerous. Human beings - as much as any other mammal - depend on other animals and plants for food. We cannot safely consign large numbers of animals and plants to extinction without making our own survival less likely.

 

[visionary]

I think it means it wasn't angels who got dominion, even though Satan stole it, and Yeshua is going to retrieve it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I think it means it wasn't angels who got dominion, even though Satan stole it, and Yeshua is going to retrieve it.

Satan is a creature with no power of his own who cannot possibly thwart God's purposes. It is absurd to credit Satan with Dominion over the earth.

 

[psalms 91]

What does scripture say? Man gave up dominion to satan with Adam. It also states that he has power

 

[visionary]

Satan is a creature with no power of his own who cannot possibly thwart God's purposes. It is absurd to credit Satan with Dominion over the earth.

Yeshua never argued with Satan over his power over all the kingdoms of the world. The phrase “god of this world” (or “god of this age”) indicates that Satan is the major influence on the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His influence also encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.

Satan is also called the "prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. He is the "ruler of this world" in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. Satan is the "prince of the power of the air" is to signify that in some way he rules over the world and the people in it.

When the Bible says Satan has power over the world, we must remember that God has given him domain over unbelievers only. Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan (Colossians 1:13). Unbelievers, on the other hand, are caught "in the snare of the devil" (2 Timothy 2:26), lie in the "power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19), and are in bondage to Satan (Ephesians 2:2).

Bible says that Satan is the "god of this world," it is not saying that he has ultimate authority. It is conveying the idea that Satan rules over the unbelieving world in a specific way. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the unbeliever follows Satan's agenda: "The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."

 

[MoreCoffee]

What does scripture say? Man gave up dominion to satan with Adam. It also states that he has power

Holy scripture does not say what you wrote.

 

[psalms 91]

God gave Adam dominion over the earth and everything on it, thta was given to satan at the fall.

 

[MoreCoffee]

God gave Adam dominion over the earth and everything on it, thta was given to satan at the fall.

The holy scriptures do not say what you wrote.

 

[visionary]

The holy scriptures do not say what you wrote.

I just gave a ton of scripture that does say that Satan is in control now over the earth. Yeshua will win it all back. There is a war in heaven, and the last stand is on earth... Woe to the inhabitants of earth. This happened in stages. Satan was not barred from heaven or the earth after his first rebellion, which predated the creation. In Job 1:1—2:8, he appears before God to accuse Job of ulterior motives in his worship of God. In Zechariah 3, he again appears before God to accuse Joshua [Yeshua's name sake], the high priest. Indeed, the name Satan means “accuser.” In Genesis, he visited the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve. He tempted Yeshua in the wilderness before Yeshua began His ministry, an incident recorded in Matthew 4:1–11.

When Satan is expelled from heaven, there will be great rejoicing in heaven, since the age-old accuser will be forever banned from his mission of accusation and slander against the elect. Satan’s power and freedom will be seriously curtailed. Yeshua said that He saw Satan fall like lightening from the sky. It is also recorded that 1/3 of the angels will be expelled with Satan. We, who will be alive in the end times, will suffer terribly after this event, because Satan will be enraged. He knows he has but a short time. Some have figured it to be the three and a half more years until he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit. This period of intensified suffering is called the Great Tribulation during which the Antichrist violates his peace treaty with Israel, desecrates their temple, declares himself as god, and begins to systematically murder all those who refuse to worship him.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I just gave a ton of scripture that does say that Satan is in control now over the earth. Yeshua will win it all back. There is a war in heaven, and the last stand is on earth... Woe to the inhabitants of earth. This happened in stages. Satan was not barred from heaven or the earth after his first rebellion, which predated the creation. In Job 1:1—2:8, he appears before God to accuse Job of ulterior motives in his worship of God. In Zechariah 3, he again appears before God to accuse Joshua [Yeshua's name sake], the high priest. Indeed, the name Satan means “accuser.” In Genesis, he visited the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve. He tempted Yeshua in the wilderness before Yeshua began His ministry, an incident recorded in Matthew 4:1–11.

When Satan is expelled from heaven, there will be great rejoicing in heaven, since the age-old accuser will be forever banned from his mission of accusation and slander against the elect. Satan’s power and freedom will be seriously curtailed. Yeshua said that He saw Satan fall like lightening from the sky. It is also recorded that 1/3 of the angels will be expelled with Satan. We, who will be alive in the end times, will suffer terribly after this event, because Satan will be enraged. He knows he has but a short time. Some have figured it to be the three and a half more years until he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit. This period of intensified suffering is called the Great Tribulation during which the Antichrist violates his peace treaty with Israel, desecrates their temple, declares himself as god, and begins to systematically murder all those who refuse to worship him.

No, you gave some passages in the holy scriptures that refer to worldly perspectives and worldly allegiance to wicked powers, there is nothing in those passages to teach that Satan has dominion over the earth.

 

[visionary]

Matt 4:9,10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Adam and Eve were to “have dominion” over the earth, to “subdue [earth],” to “have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Satan wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22) Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned….” Satan’s policy of evil succeeded in involving Earth. Satan dominates the world’s political, religious, social, economic, and educational systems. Hence, the Bible talks about “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). Did you notice how Satan offered to give the world’s kingdoms to Yeshua? Yeshua, knowing full well that Satan had dominion over the Earth, never argued with him. He knew that Satan was controlling this world system, and that the only way to restore the world system to God was, not to bow down to and worship Satan, but to die for man’s sins.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Matt 4:9,10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Adam and Eve were to “have dominion” over the earth, to “subdue [earth],” to “have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Satan wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22) Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned….” Satan’s policy of evil succeeded in involving Earth. Satan dominates the world’s political, religious, social, economic, and educational systems. Hence, the Bible talks about “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). Did you notice how Satan offered to give the world’s kingdoms to Yeshua? Yeshua, knowing full well that Satan had dominion over the Earth, never argued with him. He knew that Satan was controlling this world system, and that the only way to restore the world system to God was, not to bow down to and worship Satan, but to die for man’s sins.

"Earth" and "kingdoms of the world" are not the same thing. Careful and discerning readers of the holy scriptures see the difference.