The world

The World System in the Bible
By Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt
organic disciplemaking.

This outline is condensed from Watchman Nee, Love Not the World

A. Different meanings for Kosmos:

1. The physical globe of earth.

2. The race of man alienated from God (Heb. 11:38; Jn. 14:17; Jn. 15:18)

3. The underlying qualities which animate the world. - I Cor. 2:12 - the spirit of the world - I Cor. 3:19 - the wisdom of the world - I Cor. 7:31 - the way of the world - Titus 2:12 - the lusts of the world - II Pet. 1:4 - the corruption that is in the world - II Pet. 2:20 -the defilement of the world - I Jn. 2:15 - the things that are in the world

B. The hostility of the world system toward God and Christ.

1. I Cor. 1:21 - the world knew not God

2. Jn. 7:7 - the world's works are evil

3. Jn. 14:17 - the world cannot receive the spirit

4. Jn. 15:18 - the world hated Christ

C. Therefore Christ says:

1. Jn. 18:36 - My kingdom is not of this Kosmos

2. Jn. 16:33 - I have overcome the world

3. Jn. 12:31 Now is the judgement of this Kosmos

In addition:

4. James 4:4*- Friendship with the world is enmity with God

5. I Jn. 2:15*- If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

6. I Jn. 5:4 - our faith overcomes the world

D. This is because there is a mind behind the system.

1. Jn. 12:31; Jn. 14:30; Jn. 16:11 - the ruler of this world

2. II Cor. 4:4 - the god of this world (the term here is not Kosmos, but ho seon houtos which is a synonym but contmeplates the world system from the aspect of time, or age, rather than space as does Kosmos. See also Rom. 12:2 and #6).

3. Eph. 2:2 - the prince of the power of the air

4. I Cor. 2:8 - the demons are the rulers of this age or this world

5. Eph. 6:12 - the demons are the world rulers (Kosmoskraters) of this darkness

6. I Jn. 5:19*- the whole world lies in the power of the evil one

E. The believer is not to withdraw from the world system.

1. Jn. 17:15, 16

2. I Cor. 5:9,10

3. Phil. 2:15

4. Mt. 5:13-16

5. Jn. 16:33