The doctrine of the world

1. The world is under the present control of Satan.

a) As the ruler of this world, John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, Satan has filled his domain with propaganda, 1 Timothy 4:1.

b) Satan is the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:4.

c) Satan deceives the world, Revelation 12:9.

There are two words in the Greek: Kosmoj for the world organisation. That is what Satan rules; Satan rules on a place called gh, and that is translated “earth.” Gh refers to that which was created by God and kosmoj is the devil’s rule on planet earth. The devil is the ruler of this world only because here is where man was placed in charge and here is where man lost it.

2. Jesus Christ created the earth, Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 45:18, and gave control of it to the original mankind, Genesis 1:28. But man lost it at the fall of Genesis 3:6.

3. Sin and spiritual death are the basis of Satan’s rule over this world. Therefore, God so loved the world - the kosmoj, that He gave a saviour, John 3:16. Christ came into the world to take away the sins of the world, John 1:19. Before Jesus Christ can have a kingdom where Satan is the legitimate ruler at this time He must take away the basis of citizenship in the devil’s world The basis of citizenship in the devil’s kingdom is spiritual death at the point of birth, and sinning thereafter.

4. Therefore Christ is the saviour of the world, John 3:17; 4:42; 1 John 4:14, who gives His life for the world, John 6:33. Hence, Christ has a title in this connection: the light of the world, John 8:12; 9:5. The devil’s kingdom on this earth is called a kingdom of darkness. By way of contrast Christ has a kingdom on this earth, a spiritual kingdom, and therefore he is the light of the world.

5. Therefore Christ has overcome the world, John 16:33, so that believers can overcome the world, 1 John 5:4,5.

6. Consequently, believers in Christ must not love the world, 1 John 2:15,16. Nor must believers conform to the world, Romans 12:2.

7. World control by Satan will continue until the second advent [operation footstool]. However, believers will continue forever. Satanic rule comes to an end but we do not, 1 John 2:17.

8. Also the Word of God abides forever, 1 Peter 1:23-25. The Word of God is designed to overcome the ruler of this world, 1 John 2;14. Therefore not conforming to the world and overcoming the world are accomplished through Bible doctrine by which God has made foolish the wisdom of this world, 1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19.

9. Therefore the importance of mental attitude based on Bible doctrine, Proverbs 23:7; Philippians 2:5; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:1,6,8; Isaiah 26:3,4; Philippians 4:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

10. Reversionism is characterised by friendship with the world, James 4:4. What is worldliness? It is not something you do. Worldliness is strictly a mental attitude and nothing else. It is the mental status of the reversionist.

“If you have died with Christ from the ultimate source of the basis of the principles of the world.”