Did you know that there is contest going on right now over who will have dominion over the universe? How can we know this? We can know this from what the Bible has to say. Join me in this post as we explore this topic through the Bible.

Our Bible Quotation of Focus

To discuss our topic, we will focus on a Bible quotation, specifically, the Bible verse Genesis 41:40.

For those who are new to Bible notation, “Genesis 41:40” is a reference to the Bible, which is a collection of books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation referred to as “Genesis 41:40” is taken from the book of Genesis in the Bible, the 41^st chapter, and the 40^th verse.

The quotation is: “Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Genesis 41:40.

Two Meanings

Our Bible verse of focus in this post, Genesis 41:40, has two meanings—literal and symbolic. We will explore both of these meanings.

This double meaning is a general feature of the Bible in that a verse, or a passage which consists of two or more consecutive verses, can have more than one application. Hence, the Bible is rich and very dense in information, more than one might perceive or expect from a superficial reading of the Bible.

The Literal Meaning

Our Bible verse of focus is literally taken from the account of the life of a man named Joseph when he was in Egypt. Joseph came from the land of Canaan, now twenty-first century Israel, and he was sold into slavery by his brothers.

The slave traders sold Joseph in Egypt where, when we pick up the story of his life, he is in prison due to a false accusation.

The King has a Dream

“And it came to pass…that Pharaoh [king of Egypt] dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.” Genesis 41:1. “And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.” Genesis 41:7.

“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:8.

Joseph is Recommended to the King

“Then spake [spoke] the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth [angry] with his servants, and put me in ward [prison] in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker.” Genesis 41:9, 10.

“And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew [Jew], servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.” Genesis 41:11, 12.

“And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.” Genesis 41:13.

The King Sends for Joseph

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment [clothing], and came in unto Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:14.

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.” Genesis 41:15.

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Genesis 41:16.

NOTE: Not sure who God is? I will explain later in this post. For now, it is sufficient to understand that God is all-knowing and so God knew the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream.

The King’s Dream

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine [cows], fatfleshed [plump] and well favoured [beautiful]; and they fed in a meadow.” Genesis 41:17, 18.

“And, behold, seven other kine [cows] came up after them, poor [weak] and very ill favoured [bad] and leanfleshed [lean, emaciated], such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness.” Genesis 41:19.

“And the lean and the ill favoured [bad] kine [cows] did eat up the first seven fat kine [cows]: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured [bad], as at the beginning. So I awoke.” Genesis 41:20, 21.

“And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears [of corn] came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears [of corn], withered, thin, and blasted [scorched] with the east wind, sprung up after them.” Genesis 41:22, 23.

“And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.” Genesis 41:24.

Joseph Interprets the Dream

“And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed [shown] Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine [cows] are seven years; and the seven good ears [of corn] are seven years: the dream is one.” Genesis 41:25, 26.

“And the seven thin and ill favoured [bad] kine [cows] that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears [of corn] blasted [scorched] with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth [shows] unto Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:27, 28.

“Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land.” Genesis 41:29, 30.

“And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” Genesis 41:31, 32.

Joseph’s Recommendation

“Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.” Genesis 41:33, 34.

“And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.” Genesis 41:35, 36.

The King Promotes Joseph

“And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Genesis 41:37, 38.

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed [shown] thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Genesis 41:39, 40.

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed [clothed] him in vestures [garments] of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.” Genesis 41:41, 42.

“And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:43.

So, Joseph became ruler in Egypt, and held dominion over Egypt, second only to the king. This then is the literal meaning of our Bible verse of focus.

The Symbolic Meaning

Symbolically, our Bible verse of focus has to with God. But who is God?

Introducing God

God is a Family and since a family is a single unit we can say that “there is but one God.” 1 Corinthians 8:6. But there are three members of this divine Family collectively known as “the Godhead.” Acts 17:29. The three divine Persons making up the Godhead are the Father, the Son called Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

It is essential to understand that “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. This means “that…[they]  all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among…[them]; but that…[they] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.

So, the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit each have a character of love and they agree with each other in everything.

Where does God live? We can say that He lives in “heaven thy [God’s] dwelling place.” 1 Kings 8:30. Where is heaven? We cannot say because God has not revealed this to us.

The Context of the Symbolic Meaning

Before we can understand the significance of the symbolic meaning of our Bible verse of focus, we need to look at the context, the setting.

Now, God is invisible to humanity and so there is a hidden reality in the universe that we cannot perceive without knowing what the Bible has to say. The reality is that there is an ongoing war in the universe which revolves around a disputed ownership of the universe (including the earth) by an angel named Satan.

It is Satan who is the instigator of the war in that he rebelled against God and introduced evil in the universe. In all of this, God is not to be blamed, for God only seeks the good of all the inhabitants of the universe by eradicating evil.

The Status of the Angels in God’s Eyes

God says of the loyal angels, His holy angels who reside in heaven, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto [obeying] the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” Psalm 103:20, 21.

“And the angels which kept not their first estate [their position in heaven], but left their own habitation [place], he [God] hath reserved [symbolically] in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 1:6.

“For…the word spoken by angels was stedfast [steadfast], and every transgression [sin which is evil and wrongdoing] and disobedience received a just recompence of reward” (Hebrews 2:2) from God.

As a result, “the Devil…[called] Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out…[of heaven] and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9.

Thus, Satan’s attempt to gain dominion over the angels in heaven and to usurp God’s rule of the universe failed. The status of Satan and his evil angels in God’s eyes is that they await their punishment on the coming judgment day for they have been sentenced to eternal death by God. On the other hand, the holy angels are blessed with eternal life by God for they do no evil, being obedient to God.

The Status of Humanity in God’s Eyes

“By one man [Adam, the first human being that God created] sin entered into the world, and [eternal] death by sin; and so [eternal] death passed upon all men [humanity], for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12.

Praise God that He is not content to see the human race become extinct! For it is God “who will have all men [all humanity] to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4) of God.

Thus, “the wages of sin is [eternal] death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

So, we see that the status of humanity in God’s eyes is completely different from the status of the angels. There is no hope of Satan and his evil angels being saved from eternal death, but for humanity there is every hope of gaining eternal life. For God desires to save every human being from ruin.

The Temptations of Humanity

Every human being can say in truth, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh [in my sinful nature],) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18.

These people God says cannot do good because they are such as “having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling [deceiving] unstable souls [persons]: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.” 2 Peter 2:14. This condition is the result of the inward corruption present in every person and it is sometimes referred to as the temptations of the flesh, the sinful nature.

Also, Satan uses evil people to lure other people into sin. For “while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19. That is, those overcome by temptations to sin are in bondage to sin. This leading into sin by other people is sometimes referred to as the temptations of the world.

Satan is “the tempter” (Matthew 4:3) of mankind. So, God declares, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth [eternal] death.” James 1:13-15. This is the direct temptation of Satan to sin.

 God’s warning to humanity then, is “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. In other words, do not let Satan take away your chance to have eternal life.

Therefore, we see then that the temptations of humanity is due to the temptations of the flesh (inward corruption), the world, and the Satan, the devil.

Satan’s Claim to World Dominion

The claim of Satan “the devil…[is that] all the kingdoms of the world…all this power…and the glory of them…is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Luke 4:5, 6.

This is a false claim because when Adam and Eve, the first human pair created by God, sinned by giving their loyalty to Satan instead of to God, the dominion over the earth was transferred from mankind to Satan. But the earth was not Adam’s to give. Adam only held dominion of the earth subject to God. So, in reality, the earth and mankind have always belonged to God even though Satan claims both as his.

The Dominion to Return to Christ

In response to Satan’s false claims, God had a plan to send Christ on a mission to the earth to wrestle dominion over the earth from Satan. For “the LORD [God] is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” Exodus 15:3.

So, looking forward to the end of Christ’s mission, God said, “The LORD [God] is well pleased for his [Christ’s]  righteousness’ sake; he [Christ] will magnify the [God’s] law [of love], and make it honourable” (Isaiah 42:21) in the sight of the onlooking universe.

Hence, God says, “And thou [Christ], O tower of the flock [of humanity], the strong hold of the daughter of Zion” (Micah 4:8), the stronghold of those persons “which are written [registered] in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23), “unto thee [Christ] shall it come, even the first dominion” (Micah 4:8) of the earth.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye [Satan and his evil angels] have made your iniquity [wickedness] to be remembered, in that your transgressions [sins] are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand [of God].” Ezekiel 21:24.

“And thou, profane wicked prince [Satan]…whose day…[will] come, when iniquity [wickedness] shall have an end, thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown [from Satan]: this shall not be…Exalt him [Christ] that is low, and abase him [Satan] that is high.” Ezekiel 21:25, 26.

“I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it [Satan’s dominion]: and it shall be no more, until he [Christ] come whose right it is; and I will give it him [Christ].” Ezekiel 21:27. Thus, in the end of the world as we know it, the Satan’s dominion over the earth will end and the dominion will return to Christ.

Christ Sent on a Mission

Now, “God [the Father] sent not his Son [Christ] into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17.

So, Christ came to the earth in human flesh as a baby boy named “Jesus.” Matthew 1:21. When He was on earth, Jesus Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32), that is, for sinners to have godly sorrow for sin. This then was the mission of Christ on earth.

Christ’s Strategy for Success

“This mind…was…in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7), in the likeness of sinful humanity.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8), a t-shaped wooden structure to which Christ’s hands and feet were nailed.

“For it pleased the Father that in him [Christ] should all fulness [of the divine nature] dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his [Christ’s] cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself [unto the Father]; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:19, 20.

“And [Christ] having spoiled [plundered] principalities and powers, he [Christ] made a shew [show] of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15), [in His death on the cross].

In other words, Christ, by His strategy of humiliating Himself on behalf of every human being, succeeded in reconciling heaven and earth to God.

Christ’s Success in His Mission

“God, who at sundry [different] times and in divers manners [various ways] spake [spoke] in time past…by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us [to humanity] by his Son [Christ], whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:1, 2.

Christ, “who being the brightness of his [God’s] glory, and the express image of his [God’s] person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our [humanity’s] sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3), in heaven.

A man named John who was given a vision (supernatural mental imagery) by God could say in truth, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation [saving from eternal death], and [moral] strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for [Satan] the accuser of our brethren [of humanity] is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10.

So, Christ was successful in His mission to the earth in that Satan was cast down in the eyes of the onlooking universe.

Christ’s Dominion Over Humanity

“The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…[has] according to the working of his [the Father’s] mighty power, which he [the Father] wrought [made effective] in Christ, when he raised him from the dead…set him [Christ] at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:17-20.

“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the [Christian] church.” Ephesians 1:21, 22.

Thus, Christ through His life, death, and resurrection (his being raised from the dead to life), has successfully done away with Satan’s claim to mankind and gained dominion over all humanity.

Christ’s Dominion Over the Angels

Christ “being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:4.

“For unto which of the angels said he [the Father] at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee [brought you forth]? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten [Christ, the first born in rank] into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Hebrews 1:5, 6.

“And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.” Hebrews 1:7.

“But unto the Son [Christ] he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre [royal symbol] of righteousness is the sceptre [royal symbol] of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity [wickedness]; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:8, 9.

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them [for every human being] who shall be heirs of salvation [the saving from eternal death]?” Hebrews 1:13, 14.

In this manner then God describes Christ’s dominion over all the angels.

Christ’s Dominion Over the Universe

To reiterate, Christ, “being found in fashion as a man…humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore [consequently] God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” Philippians 2:8, 9.

“That at the name of Jesus [Christ] every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [supreme in authority with dominion over all], to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10, 11.

So, not only does Christ have dominion over all the angels and mankind, but also over all the inhabitants of the universe.

The Contrast Between Adam and Christ

“For as in Adam [the first human being that God created] all [humanity] die, even so in Christ [those who have been found worthy by God] shall all be made [eternally] alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [first ripened fruit]; afterward they that are Christ’s [those in right standing before God] at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 23), at Christ’s return to the earth.

The Future Role of Christ in the Godhead

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he [Christ] must reign, till he [the Father] hath put all enemies under his [Christ’s] feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26), “that through [his Christ’s] death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil [Satan].” Hebrews 2:14.

“For he [the Father] hath put all things under his [Christ’s] feet. But when he [the Father] saith all things are put under him [Christ], it is manifest [evident] that he [the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under him [Christ].” 1 Corinthians 15:27.

“And when all things shall be subdued unto him [Christ], then shall the Son [Christ] also himself be subject unto him [the Father] that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Corinthians 15:28.

Thus, the Father said to Christ, “Thou shalt be over my house [people], and according unto thy word shall all my people [the inhabitants of the universe] be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Genesis 41:40.

This verse, Genesis 41:40, then represents the role of the Father and Christ in the government of the universe over which God has dominion. Christ is second Ruler after the Father who is first Ruler.

So, we now see the symbolic meaning of our Bible verse of focus points to the fact that Christ has dominion over all creation, including all created intelligences, such as humanity.

therefore, we have found the answer to our question, Who will have dominion over the universe? The answer is Christ reigns supreme in the universe and not Satan.

Conclusion

We have considered the question, Who will have dominion over the universe? Our search for an answer was centred on our Bible verse of focus, Genesis 41:40.

This verse states “Thou shalt be over my house [people], and according unto thy word shall all my people [the inhabitants of the universe] be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Genesis 41:40.

First, we looked at the literal meaning of the verse by considering the life of a man named Joseph who was elevated from prison to second ruler in Egypt.

Second, we looked at the symbolic meaning of the verse by considering the contest between Christ and Satan for dominion over the universe. Satan claimed to be supreme ruler over the earth, but Christ wrested dominion from Satan when Christ came to the earth.

And not only that, Christ also obtained dominion over all the universe second only to the Father. So, symbolically, Genesis 41:40 means that Christ is second Ruler in the universe after the Father who is first Ruler.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

Image: Markus Spiske at unsplash.com.