Understanding God’s Eternal Purpose for Mankind on Earth
Introduction:
In our previous teaching, The Mandate (Part 1), we established that mankind was created in the image and likeness of God and commissioned to exercise dominion on the earth according to God’s divine purpose. We learned that God created man not merely to exist but to represent Him, reflect His nature, and administer His will within creation.
However, to fully understand God’s mandate, we must look beyond the creation account and discover the eternal purpose that existed in God’s heart before the foundations of the world.
The mandate is not simply about dominion over the earth.
It is about God’s desire to express Himself through mankind, establish His Kingdom on earth, and ultimately align all creation with His eternal purpose.
This deeper understanding transforms our view of life, ministry, work, leadership, and destiny.
God’s Purpose Existed Before Creation
One of the greatest revelations in Scripture is that God’s purpose for mankind did not begin in Genesis.
Before Adam was formed from the dust of the earth, God already had an eternal plan.
The Apostle Paul writes:
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
— Ephesians 1:4
This verse reveals that God’s purpose preceded creation itself.
Before there was an earth, before there was a garden, before there was time, God already envisioned a people who would share His life, reflect His glory, and participate in His purpose.
The creation of man was not an afterthought.
It was part of God’s eternal design.
God did not create mankind because He was lonely.
He created mankind because He desired a family that would know Him, love Him, represent Him, and partner with Him in His purposes.
Man Was Created to Be God’s Representative
Genesis 1:26 declares:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…”
Notice the connection between image and dominion.
God first spoke of the image before speaking of authority.
This is significant.
Authority without God’s image becomes corruption.
Power without God’s character becomes destruction.
God intended mankind to exercise dominion while reflecting His nature.
The purpose of dominion was never self-exaltation.
The purpose of dominion was representation.
Adam was God’s representative on the earth.
Just as a king appoints governors to represent his authority in distant territories, God appointed mankind to represent His government on earth.
The earth was designed to become a visible expression of God’s invisible Kingdom.
The Earth Was Created as a Sphere for God’s Kingdom
Psalm 115:16 says:
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
This passage reveals an important kingdom principle.
God created the earth as the arena in which mankind would administer His purposes.
The earth was never intended to function independently of heaven.
God’s original intention was that heaven and earth would work together.
This is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray:
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:10
The purpose of mankind is to bring heavenly realities into earthly environments.
Where there is darkness, believers introduce light.
Where there is confusion, believers introduce truth.
Where there is disorder, believers introduce God’s wisdom.
Where there is brokenness, believers demonstrate God’s restoration.
The mandate is fundamentally about making earth reflect heaven.
The Tragedy of the Fall
Genesis 3 records humanity’s rebellion against God.
Adam and Eve chose independence from God rather than dependence upon Him.
The result was devastating.
Sin entered the world.
Death entered creation.
The image of God in man became distorted.
The mandate was not removed, but mankind lost the capacity to fulfill it properly.
Instead of governing under God, humanity sought self-government.
Instead of reflecting God’s character, humanity reflected selfishness and rebellion.
The history of mankind after the Fall demonstrates the consequences of attempting to fulfill purpose apart from God.
Every societal crisis ultimately reflects humanity’s separation from its Creator.
God’s Purpose Never Changed
Although mankind fell, God’s purpose did not change.
Throughout Scripture, God consistently worked toward restoring His original intention.
When God called Abraham, He was initiating a redemptive plan.
When God established Israel, He was creating a people through whom His purpose could be revealed.
When the prophets spoke, they announced God’s coming Kingdom.
Everything pointed toward Christ.
God’s original dream for humanity remained alive.
Jesus Christ: The Last Adam
The mandate can only be fully understood through Jesus Christ.
The Bible describes Jesus as:
“The image of the invisible God.”
— Colossians 1:15
Jesus perfectly demonstrated what mankind was originally created to be.
Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.
Where Adam disobeyed, Jesus obeyed.
Where Adam brought death, Jesus brought life.
Christ revealed the true image of God.
When we observe the life of Jesus, we see God’s intention for humanity.
Jesus walked in intimacy with the Father.
Jesus demonstrated authority without corruption.
Jesus served rather than dominated.
Jesus restored rather than destroyed.
Jesus revealed heaven on earth.
Everything Adam lost, Christ restored.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”
It is clear now that there are two creations, the first Adam & the last Adam. Death came through the first Adam after the fall; life comes through the Last Adam.
Just as God designed that the first Adam would be the channel through which his goodness might fill the earth, the fall truncated or put on hold that purpose, so now all of God’s goodness comes through the last Adam – Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the embodiment of all that God desired to see in His Son; this is the sense in His endorsement of the Lord Jesus as he was baptised in the Jordan.
This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.
The Last Adam- expanded dominion
The first Adam was given dominion over the natural world; he had no dominion over spirits, whether of devils or angels. Why, you may ask? Primarily because God separated both realms, Satan had no power over Adam, no influence over him.
It was the Fall that subjected Adam to Satan, and made Satan the god or ruler of this world’s systems. 2
If man were to recover dominion, then the power of Satan over him had to be broken; he had to have a dominion greater than the one that he had become subject to.
The Lord Jesus is the Lord from heaven; all power in heaven and earth has been given to him.
He is seated at the right hand of the most high, far above all principalities and powers, and at his name every knee must bow.
This is the inheritance of the believer in Christ, the sons of the last Adam.
Jesus is the head and the beginning of the new creation. He is more than a saviour or healer; he is the pathway into sonship, the way, the truth, and the life.
The Mandate Restored Through Redemption
The Gospel is not merely about forgiveness.
It is about restoration.
Through salvation, God begins restoring His original purpose within us.
2 Corinthians 5:17 declares:
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.”
Salvation restores our relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit restores God’s life within us.
The Word renews our minds.
Transformation restores God’s image in our character.
God is not merely preparing people for heaven.
He is restoring people so they can fulfill His purpose on earth.
Believers are ambassadors of God’s Kingdom.
We are called to represent Christ wherever we are.
God’s Purpose Extends Beyond the Church Building
One of the greatest misunderstandings in Christianity is the belief that God’s purpose is limited to church activities.
The mandate extends into every sphere of life.
God’s Kingdom must be expressed through:
- Families
- Education
- Government
- Business
- Media
- Science
- Arts
- Healthcare
- Community Development
The believer’s workplace is a mission field.
The believer’s influence is a ministry.
The believer’s life is a testimony.
The mandate is fulfilled wherever God’s will is expressed through His people.
The Process
When we see Jesus in the Scriptures, we see the full-grown son of God, the Last Adam, at the peak of his powers, so to speak.
We do not start like that, we are born again as newborn babies, who must desire sincere milk that we may grow thereby.
This growth is the result of what we call today discipleship. This is also where the Church is challenged.
True discipleship begins with acknowledging this truth: we are called to follow Jesus, so that we may become like him.
Setting the Lord Jesus as our example in life and ministry, committing to him, taking up our crosses, and following him is the path.
It is only in this way that we can learn from Him.
Jesus said to Peter, Follow me. Matthew 4:19
Paul the Apostle said, Follow me as I follow Christ. I Corinthians 11.1
It is those who follow him that enter into the fullness of the mandate
The Ultimate Goal of the Mandate
What is God’s final objective?
Romans 8:29 provides the answer:
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
God’s ultimate purpose is not merely to make successful people.
It is Christlike people.
God’s goal is not simply achievement.
It is a transformation.
The mandate ultimately points toward becoming a people who fully reflect Jesus Christ.
As believers mature, they become living expressions of God’s character, wisdom, authority, and love.
The earth encounters God through His people.
A Call to the Church
The Church must recover its understanding of the mandate.
We are not called merely to gather.
We are called to govern under God’s authority.
We are not called merely to attend services.
We are called to reveal Christ.
We are not called merely to survive culture.
We are called to transform culture.
The world is waiting for believers who understand their identity and purpose.
The earth is waiting for sons and daughters who will manifest the nature and glory of God.
Conclusion
God’s purpose for mankind has never changed.
From Genesis to Revelation, His desire has always been to have a people who bear His image, reflect His character, advance His Kingdom, and fulfill His purpose on earth.
The mandate is greater than personal ambition.
It is greater than success.
It is greater than ministry titles.
The mandate is God’s invitation for mankind to participate in His eternal purpose.
May we understand His heart.
May we embrace His process.
May we reflect His image.
May we advance His Kingdom.
And may we faithfully fulfill the mandate He has entrusted to us in our generation.
Key Takeaway
You were created by God.
You were created for God.
You were created to represent God.
You were created to fulfill His eternal purpose on the earth.
Shalom.
Apts. Tonye Oliver
International Network of Apostolic Voices (INAV)