The Fall - The Loss of Authority

The Fall—The Loss of Authority

After the Fall, humankind lost the glory and honor, and with that, humankind lost the authority to govern matters on earth, as well. The authority didn't just vanish; it was stolen. Who took the authority after Adam failed? The Scripture tells us that through deceit, Satan comes to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). The following text gives an understanding of this spiritual theft.

The Devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:5)

Jesus didn't argue with Satan about his statement of having all the authority on earth. He confronted him on the issue of worship, referring to Deuteronomy 6:13. 

It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.' (Luke 4:8)

The authority was transferred to Satan, and humanity lost the glory (כְּבוֹד) “kevod” with which it was endowed upon creation. Jesus called Satan "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). On the Cross, Jesus took back what Adam gave away.  He is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10). The authority, divinely portioned to humankind at the beginning of creation, was reinstated. Jesus defeated the enemy and restored the rightful order of spiritual matters. At that moment in history, the authority was passed back from Satan to Jesus and through Jesus to all who believe in Him. Upon His ascension, Jesus passed His authority to His followers,   

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18)

Jesus sent a group of seventy-two disciples into the community and gave them authority to minister to the people, 

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10: 17)

Jesus also gave His followers the authority to bind and release.                                      

Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. (Matthew 16:19)

This same authority is now ours. We are to "trample on snakes and scorpions" (Luke 10:19) without fear of harm. Scripture refers to demonic entities as snakes and scorpions. Jesus gave us the power and the authority to command them. He delivered on His promise on Pentecost. 

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. (John 14:16)

With this authority came the great commission: We are to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18). The restored authority comes with obligations. Adam's authority was to rule/guard God's creation; our authority is to resist Satan and expand God's Kingdom on earth by making disciples of all nations. The authority and the power of prayer are granted in the inner room when we are one-on-one with God. 

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

How do we pray, knowing we are endowed with such unique power and authority? Jesus redeemed, cleansed, sanctified, and vested His authority in us. We become His vessels on earth to do His will in Heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). And yet, the real gain is not measured in authority units but in eternity units. Jesus responded to the overjoyed disciples:

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven. (Luke 10:20)

 According to Jesus, regaining authority is like gaining a lost territory on Earth, but attaining His salvation is gaining eternal life forever and ever and ever in Heaven. Believers must exercise God’s power and authority to expand God's Kingdom on Earth. Do you exercise this authority? We have been born in such a time as this to advance further God's plan for the complete redemption of humankind and nature until the new Heaven and the new Earth are established.