Psalm 8:4-6 say “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:”
Note the last sentence in this construction… “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet”
From outset God`s plan for man is that he walks in dominion or complete authority. Remember, in Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion(complete authority) over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and OVER ALL THE EARTH, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
In our opening text, the psalmist said: …”Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet”. This was the picture at creation.
The Palmist also said man was made a little lower than angels, but actually, the word translated angel here is “Elohim,” the same word used to describe God in Genesis 1:1…”In the beginning (“Elohim”) God created the heavens and the earth. “
Elohim is plural, signifying God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.This is further substantiated by Moses, the writer of the book of Genesis, by using plural personal pronouns “us” to describe “Elohim”…”And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man” thus alluding to God as Triune.
So in essence, the psalmist is saying that man was made little lower than God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.
You see, at creation, in terms of hierarchy, man is next after Elohim. The angels, Arch angel Michael and Gabriel inclusive and the fallen angels, such as Lucifer were subordinate to man.
God created man is his own image and likeness to be his companion and eternal associate. He gave him dominion or complete or total authority over all the works of his hands, and gave him an instruction not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil or else he will die. Note that death here is not talking about physical death or cessation of life, but estrangement from the life of God.
But Adam committed high treason; he willfully disobeyed God and turned around to blame God for his action, saying, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” (Gen 3:12)
1st Tim 2:14 says: “… and Adam was not deceived”.
By this singular act, Adam, who was the first-born again man, became estranged from the life of God and transferred his ‘Adamic’ Authority to the adversary, the devil. Consequently, Satan became the master of man and god of this world.
Remember the tempting of Jesus, Satan spoke of the power that was delivered or transferred to him …“And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me(handed over or transferred to me); and to whomsoever I will I give it” (Luke 4:6)
You see, this was why Archangel Michael showed respect to Lucifer when disputing for the body of Moses. Lucifer had acquired the ‘Adamic’ authority and had become higher than Arch angel Michael. Jude 1:9: “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
You see, Only God was higher than Lucifer, so it was only Him that could rebuke Lucifer. Hence Arch Angel Michael said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
However, scriptures inform us that Jesus whooped the devil and his regiment by death, burial and resurrection, made a public exhibition of them.
Hebrew 2:14-15 say…“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”
In English, the word destroy means to put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it. But, the word destroy in this text originates from the Greek word “katargeō”, which infers to render useless or unproductive , null and void, inoperative or powerless, make ineffective.
To render idle, unemployed, inactivate or to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
It also means to deprive of force, influence and power.
Amplified Rendering says… “that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death—that is, the devil”.
So what Jesus did at death was render satan redundant, or useless and inoperative. He did not annihilate him or render him non-existent as portrayed in King James Version. He rendered him inactive and as far as the new creation is concerned Satan is a defeated foe.
Col 2:15 declares…”And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them BY THE Cross ” But Jesus who was delivered by the predetermined counsel of God, gave himself as ransom for all, died and went to hell for three days and three night.…“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15)
After Jesus stripped Satan of his authority, he arose from the dead, ascended to heavenly Holy of Holies and obtained eternal redemption for man, he appeared before his disciples, and said. To be continued!!!
Emmanuel Emeke Asiwe(Ps)
