Al Mari Private practice as a cardiovascular & thoracic surgeon

Everyone has a "unique and important function" in the universe and as "important" as another. 

On the other hand, there is "hierarchy or position" that one can be "higher" than the other. Let us consider the history of creation.

The angels (spirit-beings) were already created, singing and shouting for joy while the "cornerstone" of the universe was being created (Job 38:4-7). While angels occupy a higher position in the hierarchy of creation,YHVH ELOHIM being the Creator has to be "above all gods"(Ps. 95:3; 96:4; 97:9; 135:5; Chr.16:25).

In Genesis, the physical universe was created starting with non-living entities, then living ones, the latter having " more power" than the former. Among those with "life", plant kingdom, then animal kingdom was created; animals have "power over" plants". 

Then came the creation of man. Notice that with the creation of man, God was not creating "another kind or kingdom". Instead, Gen. 1:26-28 states, "And God said, Let us make man in (our image, after our likeness): and let them have dominion....over every creeping thing...upon the earth. So God (created) man in his (own image), in the (image of God) created them...male and female...Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominions over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Yes, humans do not belong to the "animal kingdom, genus nor to the "angelic-kind". They belong to the Creator God-kind, the God-kingdom, aka, the "kingdom of God". While man was created (initially) "in the image and likeness" of the Creator God, meaning mortal, not "immortal" nor "wise", God is "mindful of man" (Ps. 8:4; Heb. 2:6) and will visit to mold the "marred clay"(Jer.18:4) into what is best for the potter. 

Subsequently, man will have "dominion" over all (subdue), "upon the earth". But, dominion" requires "wisdom and "immortality" which are attributes that will eventually be the hallmarks of spirit-beings in the God-kingdom. 

How and why? These attributes are given by grace and love of the Father to mankind (Jn. 3:16), through the faith of Jesus not by man's "own works". Indeed, Adam sinned (Gen. 3) by succumbing to Satan's temptation that by "eating the forbidden", on his own and by "works", he can attain "to be like him". However, with Jesus' resurrection and having gone to the Father, the promise of the Holy Spirit was given to in-dwell in us.

This HS "seals", "sanctifies", guides, protects, directs and teaches us to choose good vs evil, and for us to develop the "mind of Christ". Having then the "wisdom" of Christ, we will then "change from mortal to immortal" at a twinkling of an eye". We will then be "one" in the "body of the Son of God" and "one" with the Father, all of us in the God-kingdom, not in the plant-kingdom, animal-kingdom and not among the angelic species. We were created (initially) "below angels" but will be higher than the angelic beings (Heb. 2:6-18). 

As to why man was planned to have "dominion" over the earth, consider Heb 2:5 " For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." Remember, a third of angels (spirit beings as they are) went against their Creator. This is why, humans with the "mind" of Christ, will have "dominion" over the "future earth", will be higher than angels, have "dominion" on earth which will be "subjected" to them.

In summary, there is hierarchy. There is God the Father (1 Cor.15:28), Son of God and other "sons of glory", then angelic beings and subsequently other life-forms. Even in "oneness" there is hierarchical order.

February 28 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report