1 Peter 5:11: To Him Be The Dominion Forever And Ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:11

[11] To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

We live at a time when people, even those who call themselves Christians, are more interested in having dominion, instead of God. Those of the prosperity "gospel" actually use this word in describing what they think that God should give to them. They essentially demand that God give them dominion over the world. God is the mechanism they use to pursue power and possessions. This is anti-biblical.

To our Lord, Jesus Christ, be the dominion. He is the one who laid down his life for those whom he would call unto salvation. He is the one who conquered death and the grave for us. He is the one who deserves all glory and honor. To attempt to take dominion for yourself is an affront to the glorious king of kings. No verse in scripture says that to any person there is to be dominion forever and ever.

It is significant to note the placement of this verse in the context of the rest of the letter that the Apostle Peter has written. At the end of a section that spoke about the role of suffering and persecution in the life of the believer, we are reminded that to Jesus belongs dominion forever and ever. He is the one who is the victor in our lives. He is the one who will bring us through suffering and make us more like himself.

The Apostle Paul would stand in agreement with what Peter is saying here in this verse. He wrote to the church at Colossae these words: "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent" (Colossians 1:18). Jesus is of first priority and importance, always and forever. We dare not ever attempt to take that from him.

Take a moment and celebrate that Jesus has dominion. Because he is the all glorious God, he can meet your need. He can be relied upon to help you through all suffering and persecution. Praise him, forever.