“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:5-9).
Salvation. Propitiation. Reconciliation. Redemption.
There are so many meaty words and glorious facets to God’s eternally purposed gospel of spiritual victory in Christ. Because of this, the worthy word “restoration” can easily be missed.
When Adam and Eve were created by God on the sixth day of history, they were tasked with exercising dominion over every living creature on earth (Genesis 1:26) and subduing the planet (Genesis 1:28). The original dignity and authority of humanity was something which awed David to his core (Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:6-8).
Sadly, Adam and Eve did not exercise dominion over themselves. They sinned—thus marring God’s original intentions for humanity.
To restore fallen humans to their original role of dominion over God’s creation, the One who is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14) was made a partaker of flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14). By His suffering of death, every human can be restored to God’s original plan of dominion over His creatures.
In this life, the redeemed (i.e., those who are meek) shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). By living under God’s authority and in harmony with His will, we have the perpetual blessing of God’s sovereignty and providence; therefore, all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). By being good and faithful servants of Christ in this life, we will be made rulers over many things in the life to come (Matthew 25:14-23). The New Testament does not discuss these “many things” in great detail, but it does give indications that this dominion will include authority over angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
From dominion over God’s material creation in this life to dominion over His spiritual creation in the life to come.
That is some Restoration Movement!
