Who holds ultimate authority in heaven and earth?

God’s Sovereignty Revealed

From the earliest pages of Scripture to the final words of Revelation, one central theme emerges: the One who created and upholds all things is the One who holds absolute authority over heaven and earth. As the Berean Standard Bible states in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This foundational proclamation establishes that authority is not something merely bestowed—it is inherent in the eternal Creator.

Yet Scripture proceeds to reveal more than a distant deity. It shows a personal, covenant-keeping God (Yahweh) who is intimately involved with His creation. Authority is ultimately vested in Him, and from Him extends to His Son, the incarnate Word, and to the Holy Spirit, confirming a God who is Triune and eternally sovereign.

Scriptural Foundation for Ultimate Authority

Scripture unequivocally teaches that the ultimate authority rests in the hands of God. Psalm 103:19 proclaims, “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” Throughout the Old Testament, God is shown as the Supreme Ruler: directing nations, raising and overthrowing kings, and guiding prophetic events in precise fulfillment of His eternal plan.

In the New Testament, Jesus declares: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). When He died and rose again, it was not merely a heroic act; it was the decisive validation of His divine authority. Philippians 2:9–11 underscores this exaltation: “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God’s Authority Expressed Through Creation

In addition to Scripture’s direct statements, the natural world testifies to a designer whose power establishes and sustains everything. Romans 1:20 teaches that God’s “invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood from His workmanship.” The intricate complexity of living organisms, from the human cell’s encoded information to the fine-tuned order of galaxies, suggests intention rather than random chance.

Geological examples such as the Cambrian explosion—where complex life forms appear suddenly in the fossil record—lead many researchers to recognize a guiding intelligence. Likewise, studies in cosmology, which demonstrate finely tuned constants and forces, point to a purposeful Creator rather than undirected processes. These scientific observations reinforce the premise that One with infinite skill and power holds dominion over all that exists.

Divine Authority Centered in Christ’s Resurrection

No event in human history more clearly demonstrates ultimate authority than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This historical occurrence, recorded in all four Gospels, corroborated by multiple sources, and proclaimed by numerous eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), attests to a power that transcends even death.

Archaeological discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts, consistently confirm the reliable transmission of Scripture. Historical sources outside the Bible (including references by Josephus and Tacitus) further attest to the crucifixion and the rapid spread of belief in the risen Christ. Coupled with the transformation in Jesus’ own followers—many of whom willingly faced martyrdom—this weight of evidence consolidates the claim that Jesus holds ultimate authority as risen Lord.

Authority and the Triune Nature of God

Authority in heaven and earth is neither fragmented nor divided. It flows from the eternal unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. John 1:1 testifies that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Spirit, likewise, is fully God, working in unity with the Father and the Son (2 Corinthians 3:17; Acts 5:3–4). Thus, the Bible consistently presents a single divine essence expressed in three persons, each sharing equally in the fullness of divinity.

The famous Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4 proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One!” This is not a contradiction but a profound theological truth: God is One in essence, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all sharing the same nature. Since they are one in Being, the authority of God encompasses the authority of the Son and the Spirit in perfect harmony.

Responses to God’s Authority

Humanity’s chief responsibility in light of this authority is to recognize and submit to it. Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Such devotion acknowledges who God is—Sovereign, Creator, and Redeemer—and aligns one’s life with His righteous rule.

Furthermore, Jesus extends His authority to believers, commissioning them to “go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This commission implies that the authority of Christ has practical outworkings: sharing the gospel, serving others, standing for truth, and glorifying God in all aspects of life.

Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Numerous archaeological findings corroborate the biblical record and point to the God who governs history:

• Excavations in the regions of Mesopotamia and Canaan have revealed substantial evidence for the existence of cities mentioned in Genesis, reflecting an authentic historical backdrop.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, confirm the Old Testament’s fidelity and accurate preservation, upholding the scriptural witness of a God who speaks with authority.

• Records of ancient historians (Josephus in his “Antiquities of the Jews,” Tacitus in his “Annals,” and others) mention incidents aligned with biblical events and early Christian claims, adding another layer of external corroboration to God’s sovereign actions in history.

Through each of these findings, the consistent thread is the God who not only orchestrates events but also reveals Himself in actual history, confirming Scripture’s portrayal as accurate documentation of His rule.

God’s Authority in a Young Earth Perspective

Several scholars believe the genealogical records in Scripture trace a historical timeline for the earth, suggesting a more recent creation than mainstream calculations typically propose. Those who hold a young-earth view note how the genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 appear consecutive and deliberate, often cited in studies that approximate a timeline near Archbishop James Ussher’s analysis.

While scientific debates around the age of the earth can be vigorous, defenders of a recent creation model point to a variety of observable phenomena such as soft tissues in dinosaur fossils or sedimentary layers formed quickly by catastrophic processes. These observations can align with the biblical flood narrative (Genesis 6–9) and support the sovereignty of a God who can speak the cosmos into being by a word and superintend it faithfully.

Conclusion: Recognizing the Supreme Ruler

The question “Who holds ultimate authority in heaven and earth?” finds its answer in the God revealed from Genesis to Revelation. His authority is directly stated in Scripture, illustrated by creation, validated by the resurrection of Christ, and supported by historical, archaeological, and scientific observations. Through this authority, God graciously declares to all people the offer of salvation and the call to live in harmony with His design.

In acknowledging the true Ruler—Yahweh, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—humanity finds purpose, hope, and the marvelous reality that the Creator seeks a restored relationship with His creation. Knowing the One who wields all authority invites a response of reverence, obedience, and worship, as we gladly proclaim, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty!” (1 Chronicles 29:11).