Genesis 1:28 says, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
There are three basic positions on this question. 1) Those who believe it is still one hundred operational today, 2) Those who believe it is partially operational today, 3) Those who believe it will only be operational again in the millennium and/or new heavens and new earth.
When Adam and Eve fell into sin all of mankind and the earth were adversely affected. They were kicked out of the Garden as a result of their disobedience and the earth and humanity suffer because of it (Romans 8:18-23). But in Jesus’ redemption, there appears to be a lifting of at least part of the curse (Romans 5:17).
Let’s look at some passages in Romans 5 to find some answers.
Adam was a type of Jesus (Genesis 5:14) what he did affects us all. Even so in Christ, the price He paid for our redemption affects those who repent and believe in Him.
Romans 5:15 says, “…For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
Romans 5:16 says, “…for the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses (trespasses) resulted in justification.”
Romans 5:17 says, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:18-19 says, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience any were made sinners, so also by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Romans 5:20-21 says, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Summation: Because of sin many died – removed from the presence of God thereafter born with a propensity to sin. But in Christ His grace is made known to us all. Because of sin all were condemned, but the free gift results in justification. Death reigns, but those who receive the abundance of grace along with the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ.
Our body is the house or tent on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:1). But our spirit is the dwelling place where Jesus, Holy Spirit dwell (John 3:6, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:9) Since the fall our human bodies no longer experience the life that Adam and Eve had. But in the resurrection this mortal body will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:52-54). 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 says, “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is apparent to me that we now in our redeemed spirit have the eternal life of God within us to anoint, lead, bring healing, and guide us. But the fulness of the FIVE FOLD MANDATE WILL BE EXPERIENCED AT THE RESURRECTION AND BEYOND FOR ETERNITY. Our life now has purpose, but the fulfillment of that purpose also has a continuation into eternity!