Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. (Gen.1:26)

It was always the Father’s intention to rule his creation through his representatives on earth. Adam and Eve were created by the hand of God and then placed in a geographic setting where they could learn the art of ruling and then were told to, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen.1:28). The idea of “subdue” is to conquer or to bring under one’s control. Apparently, outside the Garden environment the earth was not all it could be. The concept was that representatives of heaven would rule or govern the earth as the Father himself would do if he were physically present. In a sense, Adam and Eve were given charge to extend the culture of heaven across the earth. They were to not only cultivate the earth but to make sure that all cultures springing up from their offspring would be aligned with the Father’s will.

In addition, they were not just going to rule as political appointees but would rule with the status of sons and daughters. In Luke’s gospel he gives the genealogy of Jesus in reverse listing from Jesus back to Adam. Notice the finishing language. “the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. (Lk.3:38). Adam was not the Son of God in the sense that Jesus is but, like us, was given the standing of a son. So, God intended to rule the earth through sons and daughters who were given dominion over his creation. They were rulers who had been attached to God’s household and were, therefore, royalty. David put it this way. “You made him (man) a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.” (Ps. 8:5-6). Man, Adam and Eve, were crowned with glory and honor and given rule. They were king and queen of God’s physical creation.

Here’s what every believer needs to know. Although Adam sinned and forfeited his rule to Satan, God’s original intent was reestablished through Christ. John declares, “Yet to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband’s will, but born of God” (Jn.1:12-13).

So we, like Adam and Eve have been given the standing of children of God – sons and daughters of the Great King. Not only that, but you are a priest and not just a priest but a royal priest. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Pet. 2:9). John phrased it this way. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev.1:5-6, KJV). Additionally, Paul tells us in Ephesians that, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph.2:6).

In summary, you are a child of God, a priest and a king, already seated with Christ in heavenly realms. This is your position in Christ. Through Jesus, the Father once again established his plan to rule the earth through his representatives – sons and daughters who would extend the culture of heaven across the earth. In Christ you are royalty. You are a son or daughter of the Great King. You are his personal representative on the earth and have been given authority and power to rule. You have even been given power over demons and sickness. Whatever Jesus did with the authority he was given while on the earth you can do. This identity is not just for preachers of mega-churches or men and women with extraordinary spiritual gifts. It is your identity as well. If you then are a son or daughter of the King and his royal representative on the earth, then you should know that all the resources of heaven are available to you when you ask in faith.

Bur how do we rule? For the most part we rule with prayer and by declaring the word of God over situations. We pray – heaven establishes. We declare – heaven enforces. We do not establish our will but his will. We exercise authority over demons and disease. We, like Jesus, heal broken hearts and set captives free through the authority of Christ. You have such standing in heaven that Paul tells us that, in time, you will even judge angels (I Cor.6:3).

All of that makes you a very significant person on this earth. Knowing who you are, you should walk in holiness, confidence, power, authority and love. You are not an orphan or a nobody. You are a king and a priest and an ambassador of Christ. Now, by faith, begin to live up to who you are!