Knowing where we came from and discovering our true identity is an important realization. At creation, we were created to bear God’s image: “So, God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). 

The heavenly host had already been created before the creation of the physical world and our humanity. They surrounded the Lord and watched Him as He created His most unique creation – humans. 

The creation of humans was not a progressive scientific aberration called evolution, but complete and fully functioning humans. Our creation also noted a distinctive part of our creation as male and female, not some modern-day descent into depravity attempting to alter God’s original design.

The pre-creation heavenly host was created to bear God’s image in eternity. We were created to bear God’s image on Earth, as it is in Heaven. At the fall of Eden, our image-bearing status was destroyed. It was restored in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Verse 28 has been called the dominion mandate: “Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.'” Our assignment was empowered by the blessing of God. We are to bring our status as God’s image bearers into all areas of this life and influence people and governments to change their image. 

As image bearers of God, that understanding will change how we process our faith and choose to live and move within our relationships, society, and its institutions. We have been called to oversee the Earth and steward its resources for the benefit of humanity. Bearing God’s image on Earth will cause us to administer the affairs of this world in a very different way, bringing change to the world under the influence of a different Kingdom.

Our presence on Earth will represent God’s Kingdom. Our presence will be in continual conflict with the purposes of the kingdoms of this world. Knowing whose image we bear is a life-altering realization. It will change how we live this life and interpret reality. We are representing the higher purpose of God’s original intent when He assigned us to example His dominion in all aspects of this earthly life as a people who bear His image.