We can be sure God owns the world; after all, he created it along with the entire universe. But does he rule the world? Many say Jesus Christ is King. But is he?

God's Creation of the earth is magnificent. In his tremendous power, he created from nothing. Earth was without form and void. Just as space and the depth of the universe go on forever today, so in the beginning, God, like a master artist, created a masterpiece on a blank canvas of watery nothingness--and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. God was in motion.

He took the dark, empty, watery Creation and fashioned the world we know today. He would do it in six literal days.

On the sixth day, God performed the most incredible act of Creation when he uttered, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." His statement indicated the work of the entire trinity; Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all were involved in Creation.

Unlike all the other creatures which God created on that sixth day, Man, created in God's image, was special and unique. It was Man who was to be the ruler of Creation.

This rule would only be possible if the first man, Adam, would obey one law, "Do not eat of the tree in the midst of the garden, the tree of knowledge of good and evil." For on that day, he would surely die.

Yet the tempter came, and Adam fell, causing him to lose the dominion he once enjoyed. That treasured dominion was lost; handed over in an instant to the adversary. Adam and his wife were separated from God.

God, in His mercy and grace, would provide someone to take back dominion that was lost. He would send a rescuer. This rescuer would come from the "seed of the woman." He could crush the head of the adversary.

This is the theme of God's Word. In the fullness of time, One would come to take back dominion.

Governments do not have a God-given right to decide whether or not a church is essential. All over the world, in oppressive countries, local churches are defying their governments by meeting to worship our Lord and read the Word of God, as the local body of Christ, in secret. Historically, churches in America have praised these bold Christians, even cheering them on, and praying for them. Now, when oppression comes to our own shores, and our government determines churches in America are non-essential, Christians cower in their homes in front of innocuous screens and dutifully bow down to the State, while still hanging out with the masses at Wal-mart, Costco, and Home Depot. Maybe it's time for pastors to take off their skinny jeans and put on the armor?