Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Three things that man lost when He fell;
God's image Dominion Eden - Luxury, pleasure and delight in God's presence
In the beginning, when the world was pristine and untouched by sin, humanity possessed a divine reflection, a majestic dominion, and an enchanting paradise in the presence of God. As the fateful act of disobedience unfolded, inspired and schemed by the enemy, mankind paid a hefty price, forever altering the course of their existence. Imbued with remarkable potential, humanity was created in the image of God Himself. Within every individual, there once resided a reflection of the divine attributes of love, creativity, wisdom, and compassion. This inherent likeness to the Creator bestowed upon humans an extraordinary dignity and a deep connection to the divine. However, as the shackles of sin bound their souls, this divine image became marred and obscured. The brilliance of God's reflection in humanity faded, leaving an indelible mark on the spirit of mankind. Moreover, man was entrusted with dominion over the earth and its inhabitants. God, in His wisdom, bestowed upon humanity the responsibility to care for and govern the vast wonders of creation. The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the majestic creatures that roamed the land-all were under the loving stewardship of humans. With dominion came a sense of purpose, a harmonious relationship with the world and its creatures. But the rebellion against God's commandment shattered this connection, and the dominion entrusted to mankind slipped from their grasp. No longer could they exercise authority with grace, for sin had distorted their perception and led them astray. Most grievous of all, the fall from grace robbed mankind of the idyllic paradise known as Eden. In that blissful garden, humans experienced a profound intimacy with God, reveling in His presence, and finding boundless delight in His company. Eden was a place of luxury, where the desires of the heart were fulfilled, and joy permeated every breath. The serenity of the garden echoed with the purest pleasures, for humanity was in perfect alignment with its Creator. But as the forbidden fruit was consumed, the gates of Eden closed, and mankind was expelled from its sacred boundaries. The loss of Eden meant severance from the tangible enjoyment of God's presence, leaving a void within their souls. As time unfolded, the consequences of that fateful act reverberated throughout history. The image of God, once radiant within every human, became obscured by the shadows of sin. The dominion entrusted to mankind was marred by exploitation, greed, and the oppression of creation. The paradise of Eden became but a distant memory, leaving humanity longing for the restoration of that intimate connection with their Creator. Yet, within the depths of this tragedy lies a glimmer of hope. For in His infinite love and mercy, God devised a plan of redemption, a pathway to restore what was lost. Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, humanity finds the opportunity to reclaim the divine image, to rediscover the true meaning of dominion, and to once again bask in the presence of God's delight. Restoration means going back to what was. In this case, Christ's finished work of the cross is the perfect means to restore what we had lost through sin. The goal has never been going to heaven as we know it, but to experience heaven within us and all around us. Even at the end of days, Christ will not take us to heaven but to the Holy city.
