Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Moses for Zion's Tour. There are basically three
Greek words that are all translated into the English as world in
the scriptures. Yet each one of these Greek words
carries with it a distinct meaning. It is good that we pay attention
to which one of these words is used or else we could misunderstand
exactly what is being taught in each case the word world is
mentioned. Translation from one language
to another is always problematic in the same fashion as listening
to men speak the same language with different dialects. One
of these Greek words generally means the inhabited world, such
as the Roman Empire, as we see in Luke 21. And it came to pass
in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be taxed. Another of the Greek words
generally means the world system or order, as we see it displayed
in the inhabitants of the world, Jew and Gentile alike. He was
in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew
him not. The third Greek word can be most
often understood to be speaking of an era or an age. It is the
word from which we get our English word eon, which means an extended
period of time. In fact, this word is also translated
in the King James Version as evermore five times, such as
when the Lord said, Behold, I am alive for evermore in the revelation
given to John. This present age, that is, world,
is evil by and according to the design of him who does all things
according to the good pleasure of his will. He has appointed
one to rule over it, who is in his very being opposed to all
that is good, and would, if it were possible, destroy all that
belongs to the sovereign God who made him. He is called the
God of this world. Yet the Lord speaks of His ultimate
fate. Now is the judgment of this world. Now shall the prince
of this world be cast out. The certain doom and manifest
judgment of God upon this prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, is
declared and displayed in the triumphant death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. Satan thought to enslave the
Lord Jesus when he took him to the top of the mountain and showed
him the world, so he determined to slay him. Yet every move that
he made towards that end was ordained by the hand of him who
does all things according to his will. Evil men move at the
bidding of Satan, but every step which they take is determined
by him whose purpose cannot fail. While they mean these things
for evil, yet he orders them all to work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose. This is clearly demonstrated in the case of Joseph
being sold into Egypt, and Satan's affliction of Job, and then openly
demonstrated in the betrayal and ultimate crucifixion of Jesus
Christ. Him being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain. This age serves the exact purpose
for which it was ordained by Him who creates all ages. Unto
Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end. It is manifested in the Scriptures
that while this particular world or age in which we presently
dwell is temporary, there are other ages into which the children
of God are appointed to inhabit which are without end, to the
glory of the One who is their Redeemer. He hath raised us up
together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches
of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
The ultimate destruction of this world and its inhabitants is
death, for which there is no remedy. The soul that sinneth
shall die. Death spares none, since it is
the result of sin. Yet there is one who has power
over death. He demonstrated it when he came
into the world, born of a woman, and did subject himself to the
pains of death in order to bear the sins of his elect. He proved
it when he lay for three days and nights in the belly of the
earth, arising on the third day and manifesting the destruction
of death for all those for whom he died, and declared to be the
Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by
the resurrection from the dead. This is He who came to deliver
His people from this present evil world. For as much then
as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself
likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, who is the
God of this age, and deliver them who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage. There is no bondage
to which the sons of God have been subjected that Jesus Christ
has not delivered them from. most especially death, which
is the calling card of this present evil world. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream dot
net.