Dominion is a reality for the believer, grounded in spiritual intelligence and cultivated through deep knowledge and understanding. God has called His children to walk in authority, and this authority is fully experienced as they align intentionally with divine truth. The anointing, which equips a believer to operate in their ordained assignment, flows naturally from the light of understanding and wisdom.
From the beginning, God’s original intent for man was dominion. In Genesis 1:26–27, God declared, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…” This mandate was not given to angels or animals; it was given to man, created in the image and likeness of God. However, this dominion was lost through sin when Adam fell. But through the redemptive work of Christ, that original dominion has been restored. Under the kingship of Jesus, who is the last Adam and the rightful heir of all things, believers are reinstated into the authority that was once lost. Christ did not merely save us from sin; He restored us to rulership.
The scripture makes it abundantly clear that our identity in Christ sets the foundation for a life of dominion. According to 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. This identity is not merely honorary; it carries with it a divine mandate: to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. To be chosen is to be set apart, and to be royal is to be equipped for influence and leadership. Our new identity calls for a manifestation of God’s glory through our lives.
The glory of God, often spoken of as “kabod” or “doxa” in the Hebrew and Greek texts, refers to the weight, splendour, and essence of His being. This glory is not abstract; it is tangible. It can be seen and encountered through the life of a believer. Romans 8:18 reveals that there is a glory appointed to be revealed in us. Believers are not just called to carry God’s glory internally but to express it externally, becoming living epistles read by all men. We are the reflection of the divine nature to a watching world.
Yet, glory does not manifest haphazardly. It is often concealed as potential within the believer. Like a seed, it requires the right conditions to germinate and flourish in obedience, the proper spiritual environment, and submission to time and divine process. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created for good works that He prepared in advance for us to walk in. Every area of our lives—our careers, families, health, relationships—is meant to radiate the beauty and excellence of God’s glory.
To truly walk in this glory, one must understand that God operates by divine patterns. His promises are fulfilled when we align ourselves with His order. Prophecy, no matter how potent, does not override the necessity for divine alignment. Leviticus 9:6 teaches that when things are done according to God’s command, then His glory appears. Moses followed God’s instructions to the letter in constructing the Tabernacle, and the result was the visible glory of God filling the sanctuary in Exodus 40. Obedience to divine design, not human improvisation, unlocks the realm of glory.
In the scripture, dominion was never entrusted to unstructured individuals. It followed a clear tripartite order involving the king, the priest, and the prophet. Each function had its place: the king governed and administered authority, the priest ministered before God and secured spiritual legislation, and the prophet declared the counsel and mind of God. Any attempt to blur these lines often led to chaos and judgement. Saul’s attempt to usurp the priestly role in 1 Samuel 13 cost him his kingship. He violated the divine pattern and forfeited his destiny.
In Christ, however, believers have been elevated to fulfil all three roles in one unified identity. Revelation 5:10 declares that we have been made kings and priests unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth. This is the dominion pattern fulfilled. It is a new covenant reality that Old Testament saints only saw in shadows. Yet, even in this new covenant position, the strength of our dominion lies in our priesthood. A weak priesthood will always result in compromised dominion.
Effective priesthood involves much more than religious rituals. It is defined by a vibrant and consistent prayer life, deep spiritual illumination, intimate fellowship with God and His people, and a willingness to offer sacrifices, whether they are time, comfort, resources, or ambitions. When these elements are absent, the authority and influence of the believer begin to dwindle. The altar is the place where destinies are shaped. It is the crucible where kings are forged.
Light, in biblical terms, represents understanding. Darkness, therefore, is not merely a lack of visibility but the absence of revelation. Your spiritual season is not determined by your physical clock but by your level of illumination. Spiritual understanding can turn the darkest night into noonday. There are degrees of light and, correspondingly, degrees of glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41 speaks of the differing glories of the sun, moon, and stars, implying that not all believers operate in the same realm of influence. The greater the light, the greater the glory; and the greater the glory, the stronger the dominion.
Through priesthood, the believer accesses critical tokens that enable kingship. The first is wisdom, not natural intelligence, but divine insight and strategy. Wisdom is found in secret places, not on public platforms. Joseph received wisdom in the prison and interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, elevating him to rulership. Power is the next token. This is not brute force but the divine ability to enforce God’s will over situations and systems. True power is evidenced when spiritual realities respond to your voice because of the authority you carry.
Favour follows power. It is the mysterious force that causes doors to open, men to respond positively, and opportunities to align supernaturally. Favour is not earned; it is a mantle bestowed upon those who walk with God. With favour comes honour, the last token of dominion. Honour cannot be demanded or self-assumed; it is conferred by both God and men. Honour legitimises leadership and secures obedience from those under your influence.
The journey to dominion must always begin in the secret place. Nothing that enthrones a man in public begins in public. David conquered Goliath not by sword or strength, but by a covenant relationship and a priestly understanding of God’s power. It was his time with God in the fields that prepared him for the throne. Any believer who attempts to function as a king without first being a priest will ultimately falter. Priesthood births kingship, and without the altar, the palace has no foundation.
Prophetic declarations play a significant role in establishing dominion. They are not empty words but channels for divine possibilities. When spoken in faith and under divine inspiration, they transmit healing, deliverance, fruitfulness, and transformation. However, prophetic words must be met with priestly action. Sometimes, personal prayer is insufficient. In such moments, apostolic and prophetic covering become vital. Paul acknowledged this in Philippians 1:19 when he spoke of deliverance coming through the prayers of the saints and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
The implications of this teaching are practical and urgent. A believer who desires to walk in dominion must embrace disciplines such as prayer, fasting, sacrificial giving, in-depth study of the Word, and consecration. These are not religious duties—they are the mechanisms by which spiritual authority is developed. One does not receive wisdom, power, favour, and honour in the palace; these are secured at the altar and expressed in the palace.
In conclusion, the believer must understand that true dominion is not a gift bestowed randomly, but a reward for those who have cultivated a priestly life. When priesthood is prioritised, kingship becomes effective. Christ has restored to us the dominion lost in Eden. Under His kingship, we now reign in life—not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Let every child of God rise to their calling—walking in wisdom, exercising power, attracting favour, and commanding honour. Seek fresh fire in your secret place. Pray earnestly. Fast consistently. Study diligently. Consecrate yourself wholly. These are the pathways to living as a king-priest in Christ, and through them, the glory of God will be made manifest in your life.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk