Beware the World

All NOT Fine

Has someone ever asked you, How is the world treating you?

Your reply probably went something like this: Just fine. How is the world treating you?

However, the truth is that the world does not now, never did, nor ever will treat anyone fine. Do you disagree? Do you think the world has some redeeming characteristics?

I used to believe this world treated people well. I thought the good guys rode triumphantly off into the sunset of life. However, the passing years have taught me otherwise.

The fact is that the world is not big and wonderful, as many believe it to be. This is a simple, unadorned, biblical fact. I'm not a Scrooge, a party pooper, or a pessimist. I am, however, a Biblicist and, therefore, a realist. I see the world through the lens of the Word of God and, therefore, as it really is; not as romanticists idealize it.

What is the World?

The primary Greek word for world in the New Testament is cosmos, which means, order or arrangement. The word world, or cosmos, is used in three basic ways in the Bible. First, as the entire ordered or arranged universe, i.e., all created things. Second, as the arena where human experience occurs – the stage of human history. Third, in speaking of humanity – we who inhabit planet Earth.

In a theological sense, the cosmos is best understood to refer to an ordered system, which includes a leader, followers, and stands in opposition to God (John 5:18). The cosmos was not originally created this way – it became this way because of the Fall (Genesis 3).

The World and Satan

The cosmos is headed by Satan. The human race was initially created to rule and reign over the earth. However, Satan incited Adam to sin and then took the scepter of humanity's divinely appointed kingship before it even hit the ground. As a result of Adam's fall, God cursed the world.

In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8) if He would bow and worship him. Satan could do so because the kingdoms were his to give. At Calvary, Satan was defeated, but his execution awaits the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. For now, Satan remains the prince of the power the air (Ephesians 2:2), the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), the one who as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

In this vein, the apostle John wrote, the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19, NKJV). The idea conveyed in the Greek word lies is as in a drunken stupor. The unsaved world is unaware of its condition – all the while boasting of its liberty to do as it wishes. This sad truth should generate in you compassion for the lost.

The World and the Believer

How is the believer to relate to the ordered system (world) which is headed by Satan? In the below Scripture passages, God tells the believer:

Ye are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

In the world, ye shall have tribulation (John 16:33).

For we brought nothing into this world,, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7).

Who is he that overcometh the world,, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5).

How many times and in how many ways does God have to tell us that this world is our enemy before we finally get it? This world disdains God's grace. It is okay for a ship (a believer) to be in the sea (the world); there is danger when the sea is in the ship.

The world is the mortal enemy of those who love the Lord. People will find nothing of eternal value in this world.

The Destiny of the World

God destroyed the world once by flood; He will destroy it a second time by fire. The Noahic flood that destroyed the world did not annihilate it. The earth and humankind continued on. The coming destruction of the world by fire will not be the annihilation of the world. It will be for the purpose of judging the present world order because of the defilement of sin and preparing it for the glorious reign of Christ which is to follow. What began in the Garden, as recorded in Genesis, will end in New Jerusalem, as recorded in Revelation. No, it is not a big and wonderful world we live in. One day, however, after the regeneration of all things, it will become a big and wonderful world.

Christians are not citizens of this world; we are strangers. God did not call the Church to capture this world; He called us to proclaim a saving message to lost humanity. The Church is literally a called-out assembly – called out of the world and placed into the body of Christ. Apart from Christ, humanity is wed to a system doomed to failure and punishment.

Worldliness is participation in this world system, headed by Satan, when such participation is apart from the will of God for one's life. Worldliness is not necessarily participation in wicked activity, but participation in this world's system in opposition to God's will. How important, then, to solicit divine direction for our daily lives.

Look around you. You need not look long or hard to see that the world is a wretched mess that cannot be fixed. It carries within itself the virus of sin. It is only suited for destruction; and such a day is approaching. No, the world is not great and wonderful. It is perishing.

However, there is joyous news for believers: There is a new world coming! Therefore, press on. The new world that awaits us is worth the overwhelming but passing challenges we now endure.

Marv Rosenthal, founder and President of Zion's Hope, has been an acclaimed international Bible teacher for more than five decades.