Be Fruitful and Multiply and Fill the Earth

When God created the human race, He commanded, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). Human beings have been reproducing ever since. The same mandate was re-affirmed after the Flood (Gen. 9:1, 7). But the biblical exposition of this command does not end there. Indeed, it only began.

The prophet Malachi gives us divine insight into the purpose of marriage and the procreation mandate. “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring” (Mal. 2:15). What is God seeking from the reproductive union of husband and wife? More children? Yes, but not merely physical offspring. He seeks godly offspring, spiritual children, covenant descendants who will worship the Lord and obey Him.

God’s intent is for mankind, men and women, to fill the earth as His image bearers, to rule over the earth as representatives of the Creator and as stewards of all He made (Gen. 1:26-28; 9:2; Psa. 8:6). This is so that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). God intends to display His glory and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, but this will be accomplished by populating the world with His earthly representatives and stewards of creation, the saints.

This brings us to Christ and to the New Testament exposition of the original creation mandate. Jesus is the Second Adam, the covenant head with original righteousness who succeeds where the First Adam failed (Rom. 5:12-21; 1Cor. 15:45-49). The Second Adam works through His Bride, the Church, to multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. The Great Commission speaks to the essence of the creation mandate, that the whole earth might be filled with God’s glory (Matt. 28:18-20). The Church is the covenant community. It is the new humanity. The members of the Church are divine image bearers, not just of the original image corrupted by the Fall (Gen. 5:3) but of the renewed image of Christ who is both Creator and Redeemer (Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10). As the gospel goes forth, disciples make disciples, and the earth is filled with the glory of God as those re-created in Christ’s image multiply. Such is the eternal purpose of God, revealed at the beginning but ultimately realized in Christ. -JME

The New Creation: Already, But Not Yet

There is a definite “already, but not yet” tension to the teaching of the New Testament. Believers in Christ participate in and partake of His new creation, the redemption of this world and its deliverance from the curse and weight of sin (Rom. 8:18-25). Those in Christ are part of that new creation, not only in the forgiveness of our sins and the crucifixion of our old man of sin, but also in our new status as new covenant members, children of God, and heirs of the new heavens and new earth (2Cor. 5:16-17). We live between two worlds: the sin-cursed world which still groans and aches for the revelation of God’s Son and also the redeemed creation begun in our hearts and waiting to burst forth and restore what was lost at the Fall (cf. Rev. 22:1-5).

The new creation is true of Christians today, prior to the return of Christ. We have received a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), a new birth (John 3:5-8), and a new status as members of God’s family (John 1:12-13) and heirs of His promises (Gal. 3:29). But all who partake of the new creation in this life are still confronted by trials (1Pet. 4:12), subject to temptation (1Cor. 10:12-13), often weighed down by sins (Heb. 12:1-2), and troubled by evil and death (John 16:33; 1Thess. 4:13-18). Nevertheless, Christ’s work guarantees the completion of that new creation when the ultimate results of His redemptive labor are revealed (Php. 1:6; 3:20-21). Jesus has triumphed, already (Col. 2:15). Jesus has defeated sin and death, already (Rom. 8:2). Jesus has accomplished the Father’s purpose, already (John 17:4; 19:30). But each will be manifested more fully and perfectly shortly.

When Jesus returns His lordship will be universally known and acknowledged (Php. 2:9-11). His victory over sin and death will be fully realized when the dead are raised and the redeemed are received into everlasting life in the presence of God (1Cor. 15:50-57). At that time the perfection of Jesus’ work will be seen and the salvation of God’s elect will be complete (1Pet. 1:3-9). We participate by faith in unseen realities (cf. 2Cor. 5:7; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 11:27). We endure because we know the victory has already been won. The outcome of the contest is not in doubt. Christian, trust Jesus, dare boldly for His cause, and do not fear the enemies, pain, or trials through which you must pass. We have, by God’s grace, already won. -JME