Lost Authority by Adam, Restored Glory by Jesus Christ

RECLAIMED AUTHORITY, RESTORED GLORY

The story of humanity’s journey through time is deeply intertwined with the concepts of Authority and Glory. From the beginning, God bestowed upon Adam the authority to govern the earth. However, this authority was lost through disobedience in the Garden of Eden. But in the fullness of time, this lost authority was restored through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, bringing glory back to humanity.

WATCH DUAL AUTHORITY BY TOM LOUD

The Authority Given to Adam

When God created Adam, He gave him dominion over the earth. Genesis 1:26 records God's words: 

"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 

Adam was not just a caretaker; he was a ruler, entrusted with the responsibility to govern the earth, to subdue it, and to cultivate it. His authority was a reflection of God’s sovereignty, and his dominion was to be exercised in harmony with God’s will.

The Fall and the Loss of Authority

However, this authority was tragically lost when Adam chose to disobey God, by eating the forbidden fruit. In that act of rebellion, Adam surrendered the authority given to him by God and handed it over to the serpent, Satan. This transfer of authority is evident in the drastic changes that followed the Fall:

• Spiritual Death: Adam's sin resulted in spiritual death, a separation from God, which severed the perfect relationship they once enjoyed.
• Curse on Creation: The ground was cursed, and instead of yielding abundance, it brought forth thorns and thistles, signifying the loss of the ease and fruitfulness that once marked Adam's dominion.
• Human Struggle and Suffering: Pain, toil, and suffering became the new reality for humanity, reflecting the loss of dominion and the entrance of chaos and disorder into the world.
• Authority Usurped by Satan: Satan, who tempted Adam and Eve, became the "prince of this world" (John 12:31), holding sway over the hearts and minds of men, and leading them further away from God.

This loss of authority was not just a personal tragedy for Adam; it was a cosmic disaster that affected all of creation. Humanity was now subject to the power of sin, death, and the kingdom of darkness, with no way to reclaim the authority that was lost.

The Promise of Restoration

Despite the gravity of the Fall, God did not leave humanity without hope. Even as He pronounced judgment, He gave a promise of redemption. In Genesis 3:15, God spoke of the "seed of the woman" who would crush the head of the serpent. This was the first hint of a Savior, a Redeemer who would one day restore what Adam had lost.

The Restoration of Authority through Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the second Adam, came to earth to reclaim the authority that was lost by the first Adam. Unlike Adam, Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father, fulfilling all righteousness. His mission was to undo the works of Satan and to restore humanity’s lost authority.

• Victory Over Temptation: Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan but did not succumb. He resisted the devil’s lies, maintaining His authority and righteousness (Matthew 4:1-11).
• Authority Over Creation: Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated His authority over creation. He calmed storms, healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons, showing that He had come to reclaim dominion over all things (Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24-25).
• The Cross and Resurrection: The climax of Jesus’ mission was His death on the cross and His resurrection. Through His sacrifice, He paid the penalty for sin and broke the power of death, triumphing over the forces of darkness (Colossians 2:15). His resurrection was the ultimate demonstration of His authority, as He conquered death itself.
• The Great Commission: After His resurrection, Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). He then commissioned His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, effectively restoring the authority that was lost by Adam to those who are in Christ.

The Glory Restored

Through Jesus Christ, the glory that was lost by Adam is restored. Believers are now called to reign with Christ, exercising the authority of His kingdom on earth. This restored authority is not just about dominion over creation, but also about living in the fullness of God’s purpose, advancing His kingdom, and manifesting His glory in the world.

• New Identity in Christ: Believers are now "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9), called to declare the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
• Victory Over Sin and Death: Through Christ, we have victory over sin and death. We are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered to live righteously by the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:14).
• Reigning with Christ: In Revelation 22:5, it is promised that we will reign with Christ forever. This is the culmination of the restoration, where we will once again exercise the authority given by God, not just in this life but in the life to come.

Conclusion

The narrative of lost and restored authority is a powerful reminder of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. What Adam lost in the Garden of Eden has been restored through Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to walk in this restored authority, living out our God-given purpose, and manifesting His glory in the world. Through Christ, the story of humanity moves from loss to victory, from despair to hope, and from death to eternal life.