Where does the Bible say that God gave dominion over the earth to His Son?

God has revealed in the Holy Scriptures that His Son Jesus Christ is the Creator, the rightful Sovereign, and the future King of the earth. The Bible does not use the verbatim phrase "God gave dominion over the earth to His Son," but it clearly teaches that the Father has appointed Christ as the Heir of all things, giving Him authority, kingdom, and judgment.

From the beginning, Christ was not merely a messenger of God in the world. He is the eternal Son through whom the Father created everything that exists. After the Fall, humanity lost its original dominion over the earth, but Jesus came as the second Adam, overcame sin and Satan, and is restoring His royal reign. Therefore, the biblical answer encompasses creation, salvation, and the future judgment.

Christ is Appointed Heir of All Things

The Epistle to the Hebrews explicitly states that the Father has appointed His Son Heir of all things. This means that all created reality, including the earth, belongs to Christ and is under His rightful authority.

“has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” Heb 1:2

The Son is not a temporary ruler entrusted with a limited territory. He is the Heir of all things. His right to reign rests not on force or conquest, but on His person, His oneness with the Father, and His role in the creation of the world.

Through Christ the Earth Was Created and Is Sustained

The Apostle Paul explains that Jesus Christ is the active Creator and Sustainer of everything created. The earth is not independent of Him; it exists by His word and power.

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible… All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Col 1:16–17

The phrase “all things were created through Him and for Him” is especially significant. Christ does not merely look after the world after its creation: the world was created through Him and for His glory. Therefore, His governance of the earth is the reign of a Creator who loves His creation and has not abandoned it to the power of evil forever.

The Psalms also proclaim that the earth belongs to the Lord. Human beings were given the responsibility to care for it as God's stewards, not as absolute owners.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” Ps 24:1

After the Resurrection, Christ Proclaimed All Authority

Jesus’ most direct words regarding His authority were spoken after His resurrection. He addressed the disciples not as a defeated Teacher, but as the risen Lord to whom the Father has entrusted universal kingship.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” Matt 28:18

The words “has been given to Me” do not deny Christ's divinity. As the eternal Son, He is one with the Father. But as the Son of Man, who became human, died for sin, and rose again, Jesus receives authority as the Representative of redeemed humanity. Where Adam lost his dominion through disobedience, Christ begins the restoration through His obedience and victory.

That is why the commission to preach the Gospel to all nations flows directly from His authority. Christ is already the Lord of the earth, even though the final, visible establishment of His kingdom is yet to come.

The Father Gave the Son the Kingdom in Daniel’s Prophecy

The closest biblical text to the idea of transferring dominion is the vision in Daniel 7. The prophet sees a heavenly court: the "Ancient of Days" represents God the Father, and the "Son of Man" represents Jesus Christ. It is to Him that dominion, glory, and a kingdom are given.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” Dan 7:13–14

This passage depicts not merely spiritual influence, but His royal authority over all nations. Jesus repeatedly called Himself the Son of Man and linked His return with the clouds of heaven; thus, Daniel's prophecy carries an immediate Messianic meaning.

In the Adventist understanding of Daniel 7, this scene is also tied to the pre-advent judgment in heaven. Ellen White emphasized that Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary culminates in His final royal triumph. The judgment is not a threat to those who trust the Savior: their Judge is the One who gave Himself for them.

The Father Has Committed Judgment to the Son

True governance involves just judgment. Jesus said that the Father has committed all judgment to Him. Therefore, Christ is not only the Creator and Savior, but also God's appointed Judge of the world.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son… and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” John 5:22, 27

This is good news. Our Judge understands human weakness because He lived among us, facing temptation, suffering, and death. He judges righteously, yet He is at the same time our Advocate and Savior.

Conclusion and Practical Application

Thus, God the Father has entrusted authority over all things to the Son: Christ is the Heir of all things, through Him the earth was created, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and in Daniel an everlasting kingdom is conferred upon Him. Today the world still experiences the consequences of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, but the ultimate outcome is already determined: the kingdom belongs to Jesus.

Practically, this invites us to acknowledge Christ as Lord of our own lives every single day. Entrust your decisions, work, family, and future to Him; care for the earth as God's gift; and live in the blessed hope of His soon return, when His reign will be made visible to the whole world.