Introduction to Spiritual Dominion and Authority

Dr. Francis Miles presents a compelling exploration into the nature of spiritual authority, dominion, and the divine mechanisms that govern human interaction with the spiritual realm. Drawing from biblical scripture and his personal journey from oppression to empowerment, Dr. Miles offers a fresh understanding of mankind’s role on earth as sovereign beings made in God’s image.

The Foundation: Dominion as a Divine Mandate

God’s original plan for humanity was not only to create a family but to establish a sovereign family with dominion over the earth. Unlike angels who possess power but lack dominion, humans were uniquely designed to govern the physical realm. The Hebrew word for dominion, mamla, implies rulership, control, and kingdom authority. This mandate involves stewardship over the earth’s creatures, the elements, and the environment but explicitly excludes dominion over other humans.

Authority vs. Power: The Key Distinction

Dr. Miles emphasizes the crucial difference between authority and power. Power is the capacity to act or cause change, while authority is the legal right or governance to exercise that power. Humans are granted authority—delegated sovereignty—over earth but not inherent power, which remains in the spiritual realm under God’s control. The analogy of a police officer directing traffic versus the raw power of a vehicle illustrates this: one may have power, but without authority, its exercise is limited and illegal.

The Role of Altars: Spiritual Interfaces for Power Exchange

Altars are described as the divine “APIs” (Application Programming Interfaces) enabling legal and formal exchanges between God and man. They act as spiritual platforms where humans can negotiate terms of authority and receive power from God.

Why Altars Matter

Since God retains power, humans must engage in a partnership where they surrender authority over their lives in exchange for supernatural power to fulfill their dominion mandate. Altars are the sacred spaces of this exchange, where the human attendant initiates contact and invites God’s supervision and instruction.

Supervision: God’s Governance Over His Children

God’s sovereignty requires that He supervises those He grants authority to. This supervision is not forced but accepted willingly as one yields control over their life to God. Jesus exemplified this relationship perfectly—His 40-day fast was a negotiation for power through total surrender and compliance with the Father’s will. This divine supervision ensures order and predictability in the exercise of spiritual authority.

Dr. Francis Miles’ Personal Testimony: From Demonic Oppression to

Divine Empowerment

Dr. Miles shares his remarkable story of growing up in a township overwhelmed by witchcraft and demonic activity. Despite early exposure to the supernatural realm—largely hostile—he experienced a radical encounter with Jesus that transformed his life.

The Encounter with the Demonic Prince and the Power of Scripture

In a vivid spiritual experience, Dr. Miles saw a demonic prince responsible for his sickness and oppression. When he boldly quoted John 3:16, the demon was overcome by fear and fled. This encounter revealed a profound truth: dominion comes not only from fearing God but from knowing that demons fear humans who wield God’s Word with authority.

Healing and Transformation

Following this encounter, the physical manifestations of his affliction instantly disappeared, confirming the permanence and authenticity of God’s intervention. This transformation marked the beginning of his journey into understanding spiritual authority and dominion.

The Law of Dominion: Humanity’s Responsibility and Privilege

Man as Sovereign on Earth

Because God excluded Himself from the dominion mandate, humans became the primary sovereigns on earth. This sovereignty demands responsibility for the earth’s state and the spiritual dimension influencing it. Understanding this law equips believers to act with intentionality and respect for their divine role.

Legal Entry and Partnership in the Spiritual Realm

Everything that happens in the physical realm requires legal entry or partnership. God will not intervene supernaturally without human cooperation—this is why prayer, worship, and altar encounters are vital. The law of dominion creates a structure where power is dispensed through authority, always requiring negotiation and agreement.

The Danger of Misunderstanding Dominion: Abuse and Domination

Dr. Miles warns against confusing dominion with domination. The dominion mandate explicitly excludes humans dominating one another, and failure to understand this leads to spiritual and organizational abuse, particularly within religious institutions. True dominion operates under grace and respect for others’ conscious will, preventing authoritarian misuse of spiritual authority.

Dreams: The Primary Language of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit’s Communication Channel

Dreams are not secondary or random experiences but a primary method through which God communicates with humans. Since the spirit does not sleep, dreams serve as a “priesthood” of the spirit, allowing divine interaction while the body rests.

Dreams as Revelations of Destiny and Spiritual Warfare

Dreams reveal hidden aspects of destiny, soul fragmentation, and the spiritual battles waged against believers. They can contain prophetic insight, warnings, or redemptive messages. However, the realm of dreams is a contested space where both divine and demonic forces operate.

Responding to Dreams: Authority and Discernment

Dr. Miles stresses the importance of responding to dreams with spiritual authority, using the name of Jesus to close doors opened to demonic influence. Writing down dreams and seeking interpretation—sometimes through gifted individuals—helps believers discern their meaning and purpose.

The Law of Honor: The Spiritual Economy of Respect and Blessing

Biblical Basis and Kingdom Principle

The law of honor is rooted in the principle “the lesser is blessed by the better,” exemplified by Melchizedek blessing Abraham. Honor is not about elitism but recognizing the spiritual position of another and responding with respect.

Honor as a Dynamic Relationship

Honor flows upward and downward. While children honor parents due to their position, there are moments when honor is reversed, such as a son becoming a spiritual leader to his father. This dynamic principle sustains spiritual relationships and enables blessings to flow.

Cultural Context and Misuse

In some cultures, like parts of Africa, honor is deeply ingrained but can sometimes lead to uncritical obedience or exploitation. Dr. Miles highlights the need to understand honor as giving and receiving in a balanced, God-honoring way rather than blind submission.

The Four Legs of the Table of Divine Encounter

Dr. Miles introduces a model from his book The Way of the Altar that explains how divine encounters—manifestations of God’s glory—are made predictable and accessible.

1. The Human Attendant

The person who approaches God, bringing their willingness, faith, and openness to engage in the divine encounter.

2. The Order

The structure or system—such as the altar—that facilitates the meeting between God and man.

3. The Supervising Spirit

God’s presence that consecrates the altar and supervises the relationship, ensuring divine order.

4. The Instruction

The guidance or command God issues through the encounter, which governs the ongoing relationship and empowers the believer.

The completeness of all four legs is essential for sustained divine interaction. Missing any one leg destabilizes the encounter, much like a three-legged table cannot stand under weight.

Living Under Divine Supervision: Lessons from Jesus

Jesus’ earthly ministry was marked by total surrender to the Father’s supervision. Despite His power, He was the most supervised human to ever live, demonstrating that true dominion requires submission and obedience.

The Fasting and the Wilderness Testing

His 40-day fast was a negotiation for power through surrender. Jesus fasted not for personal gain but to fully align with the Father’s authority, modeling how believers must yield authority to receive divine power.

The Pool of Siloam Miracle: Supervised Power

Although Jesus could heal all at once, He chose to heal one man specifically, obeying the conditions of His divine supervision. This teaches believers about the timing and order in God’s kingdom, which may not always align with human expectations.

Practical Takeaways for Spiritual Growth and Kingdom Living

Embrace Your Sovereignty: Recognize your role as a sovereign being with authority over the earth but remember your power comes from God through partnership.
Engage Altars Faithfully: Seek altar encounters as legitimate spiritual interfaces to negotiate authority and receive power.
Respond to Dreams: Keep a dream journal, seek interpretation, and exercise spiritual authority to reject demonic influences.
Honor Rightly: Practice the law of honor with understanding, respecting spiritual positions without enabling abuse.
Submit to Divine Supervision: Follow Jesus’ example of obedience and supervision to operate effectively in God’s kingdom.
Build the Four-Legged Table: Cultivate all four legs of divine encounter to make your relationship with God predictable and fruitful.

Conclusion

Dr. Francis Miles’ teachings challenge believers to rethink their understanding of spiritual authority, dominion, and the practical realities of living in partnership with God. Through personal testimony, theological insights, and practical frameworks like the “Table of Divine Encounter,” he equips Christians to walk in true kingdom power, grounded in obedience, honor, and supernatural partnership.

His message is clear: dominion is not about domination, power without authority is incomplete, and the altar is the place where heaven and earth meet in legal, relational partnership. Embracing these truths leads to a life marked by divine supervision, supernatural encounters, and victory over spiritual opposition.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between authority and power?
A: Authority is the legal right to exercise power; power is the ability to act. Humans have authority delegated by God but receive power through partnership and altar negotiation.

Q: Why are altars important in spiritual life?
A: Altars are spiritual interfaces where humans and God negotiate authority and power, allowing divine intervention within God’s sovereign order.

Q: How should believers respond to dreams?
A: Record dreams, seek interpretation, and respond by exercising spiritual authority, rejecting demonic influence, and embracing God’s messages.

Q: What is the law of honor?
A: It is the kingdom principle that the lesser honors the better positioned for blessing, fostering respectful relationships that release favor and grace.

Q: How did Jesus model divine supervision?
A: Jesus submitted fully to the Father’s authority, obeying divine supervision, fasting, and timing His miracles according to God’s plan, not His own will.

Unlocking Spiritual Authority: Dominion, Altars & Divine Dreams