"You made mankind a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hand;
you put everything under his feet:
all the flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of sea"
-Psalm 8:5-8
Often when we hear about our future hope of being "kings over/on the earth" we think in terms of human rulership - kings and serfs.  However, in reflecting on the Psalm I wonder if the coming earthly kingship could imply rulership over the creation and not necessarily over other individuals.  Afterall, wasn't this the rulership that was given to Adam?
In Genesis we read:
"God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." - Genesis 1:28
I too think about what Jesus says:
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. ... It must not be this way among you!" - Matt 20:25, 26
P.S. - I was just lying down to go to sleep when I thought about this and I decided to write it down so I wouldn't forget.
I like your reasoning!
When I was reading through your comments I thought of another scripture in Genesis..
Gen. 9:2,3 "Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth and the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered.  Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat, I give them all to you as I did the green plants."
So after the flood Noah was told about the subjection of "creation" on earth to Man.  Even though it seems the fear the animals posessed would be a new aspect, and the eating of animals.  So, in orginal creation, man was made a "King".  After the flood, once again made a "king".  So those who survive into another new creative stage will be made "kings" once again!
Love to all
Lynn
Anthony, my brother, especially when we were translating the first part of Genesis, it became obvious the Jehovah had other plans for animals that didn't include consumption by people. Rather, they and the earth were to be included in our personal stewardship, making us kings in that respect.
And in His words to Noah, allowing him to eat animals, it became clear that pouring the blood of animals on the ground was to be a sign of respect for their lives, and that God was simply tolerating our use of them as food.
Jehovah even said to Israel that He never required the sacrificing of animals, indicating that He allowed it because man found it fit to do that.
However, notice the following words from Isaiah 49:
7 So says Jehovah the God of Israel and your Savior: ‘Make holy all those who think their lives worthless; those who are hated by the nations, and those who are servants of rulers. For, they will be seen by all kings, and all the rulers will then stand before them, and because of Jehovah the [rulers] will bow.
19 For, your desolate places (the places that were destroyed), as well as those that fell down, will become too confining for those who will dwell there, and those swallowing you down will be far away. 20 Then [the people] will say in your ears, This place is to narrow for the sons we had lost, so make for us new places to dwell! 21 And you will ask in your heart, Who made me a father to them? For I’m childless, widowed, and an unwelcome stranger… but these, who required me to feed them? I have been left all alone… but these, from where did I get them?’
(I left thoise verses in because they make obvious the fact that it is speaking of those on the earth).
22 ‘Look,’ says the Lord Jehovah, ‘I’m lifting My hand to the nations, and to the islands I’ll lift up My sign. Then they will raise your sons to their chests, and your daughters they’ll lift on their shoulders. 23 Their kings will then serve as your [butlers], and their queens will be your wet nurses. They’ll bow before you with their faces to the ground, and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am Jehovah, and those waiting for Me will never be shamed.’
So, it looks like the faithful on the earth will be bowed before as kings by kings for a period of time. However, other scriptures indicate that all who survive the end of the thousand years will serve as kings in another capacity... that offered to Adam.
This is what I want, being free to discuss, without the aid of "publications"
Hello Scriptures!
I love your name by the way! It is a beautiful freedom isn't it? To look at the scriptures and allow them to be the teacher, not man.
Another scripture I thought might be interesting here.
each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more. ..Jer 31:31
Mat 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
I think it is a trap that is easy fallen into. To picture one group of people "ruleing" over another. I remember the excuse being used that Jehovah was being loving in appointing them as kings and giving them rulership because the would "understand" human trials better and could rule in fairness and love.
When you really look at their explination you see how insulting it is the the Father and Christ. God is Love. Jesus show perfect love. Are they not capable of ruling in perfect love? Without the aid of humans! Of course they are!!! It is nonscense to think humans would be necessary for any authority position.
Ecc 8:9 All this I have seen, and I gave my heart to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.
We are not meant to rule over another human being. We are all brothers and Sisters.. There in no inequality among us. We all give our "authority" to Jesus .
Some early morning thoughts
love to all my brothers and sisters
Lynn
I'm glad this was brought up to the top because there are some other deeper elements of this that are slowly pulling into view . . .
As Christians we are to now grow in exercising dominion over beasts - in that we do not let the flesh (sin or animal) nature to dominate.
Another way to look at is this the birds of the heaven are heavenly authorities and the beasts of the earth are earthly authorities. Our hope is to become victorious over them so that we may receive authority over them in the same manner of Jesus.
Just some early morning thoughts ...