Profiling the World

The word “kosmos” is used 185 times in the New Testament. The Apostle John employs the term 78 times in his Gospel and 24 times in his epistles. The problem we face is the varied meanings of the word in different contexts. Sometimes “world” means the whole created order of the universe. It can also mean the earth itself. It also can refer to people in general, the whole realm of mankind, Jews and Gentiles, a big group of people but less than all people, everywhere. Kosmos, in certain contexts, means only the elect people of God and in other contexts it can be the non-elect.

There is another use, context, and definition we wish to highlight; and this is the “world system” — the economy of the devil, his demons, and his people. Together, their quest is to build an alternate, utopian society on the earth. The devil and his demons know this is not actually possible; but the children of the devil are bamboozled into believing they can construct heaven on earth devoid of God.

Humanity labors in vain because the end of this present evil age is prophesied in the Bible. The world is hurtling toward Judgment Day. The great day of the Lord is the end of man’s rebellion against our creator and sustainer. Sinners are only storing up wrath for the day of wrath (Rom 2:5), which is to be executed by the fiery destruction of all things (2 Pet 3:10–12), save for the people of God (Rom 11:26).

Despite the Spirit of truth revealing the Word of truth, regarding these matters, humanity is engaged in its rivalry to prove who is the king of the world (Eccl 4:4). Wars and rumors of wars visit every generation. While one nation excels in building itself into a glorious empire; this only provokes its neighbors into a state of jealousy and envy. Men then steal, kill, and destroy what their neighbors have built. Localized destruction ensues and rebuilding follows. The process only repeats itself. The endless futility never occurs to those who rebuild. It is like chasing after the wind.

In the end, there is only one kingdom that will prevail; and it is not the kingdom of this world (Rev 11:15). It is the kingdom of God. Yahweh, the God of Israel, has established His only begotten Son as the King of glory (Ps 24), who is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15). King Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18). The kingdom of God is already here in this present age, by the Spirit’s indwelling presence in every believer (Rom 8:9, 11; 14:17). God’s kingdom is a righteous one ruled by Jesus Christ, the righteous (1 Jn 2:1). He is the Lord, our righteousness (Jer 23:6).

Thus, the imposter, Satan, is exposed (Jn 8:44). Jesus referred to Lucifer, the lead fallen angel, as the “ruler of this world” (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The Apostle Paul called him “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4). The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19). Therefore, once a person has been transferred from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13), he or she is no longer to love the world nor the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). Jesus refused to pray for the world (Jn 17:9).

The world is passing away and all of its lusts (1 Jn 2:17). Jesus judged the world’s deeds to be evil (Jn 7:7). The world does not know Jesus; and so, when we preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:18; 2:2, 4), the world simply has no interest in this man ruling over it (Lk 19:14). But our God reigns and will do so until all things are brought into subjection to Him (1 Cor 15:25).

There is a tension between those whom God chose out of the world (Jn 15:19), and those in the world who do not receive the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17; Jude 1:19). One group loves the world and its darkness (Jn 3:19); while another one has been crucified to the world (Gal 6:14). The latter ones are now dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Eph 2:5). These are not taken out of the world at their conversion; but they are kept from the evil one (Jn 17:15) and kept for Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1).

So, we have seen that the dominion of Satan is the world of sin (Acts 26:18); and it is Satan who deceives the whole world (Rev 12:9). He is identified as the father of lies (Jn 8:44), who blinds the minds of those who do not have the light of the world (Jesus), to see the truth of the Gospel (Jesus). Many deceivers, Satan’s minions, have gone out into the world to teach and preach false doctrines (1 Jn 4:1; 2 Jn 1:17).

False prophets have always been in the world, to present another Christ and the doctrine of demons (1 Tim 4:1). They entice men with man-centered theology; which suggests that “you, too, shall be as gods” in making decisions and choosing eternal destinies (Gen 3:5). This is the pride that goes before destruction (Prv 16:18).

The children of God have been set free from bondage to this world of sin; which has been under judgment since the fall (Rom 1:18–32; Jude 1:6). The children of the devil, his demons, and his world system are all waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ. On that day, judgment of this world will be contrasted with our Lord’s salvation of His chosen people (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Thess 4:13–5:11; Rev 19:11–21).

How then shall we live? Let us be steadfast immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and our minds on the things above (Col 3:2; Heb 12:2). Let us pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), and may we meditate on God’s Word both day and night (Ps 1:2); so that our witness of Christ to others is clear, full of grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; 2 Pet 3:18).

This world is not our home (Jn 15:19; Phil 3:20). Therefore, may our investments here be eternal investments in the kingdom of heaven that garner eternal rewards (Mt 6:19–20, 33). It is our great blessing and benefit to be positioned in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:30). May God grant you the grace to live as Christ did in the midst of this perverse generation (Acts 2:40; Phil 2:15); and may your joy in the promises of God keep your hope alive for the world to come. For there, it is very much better (Rev 21–22).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

July 16, 2024