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Present Evil World |
Dear Brethren,
It would help us to have a better understanding of the difference
between the two phrases, "foundation of the world" and "foundation
of the earth". The foundation of the world is an entirely
different thing from the foundation of the earth. The phrase,
"foundation of the earth" refers to God's original creation for the
purpose of placing mankind here on the earth. Here are a few examples:
"The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord,
which stretches forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation
of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him."
(Zechariah 12:1)
"Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the
foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the
works of thine hands." (Hebrews 1:10)
We tend to use the words "earth" and "world" almost interchangeably -
and, therein lies the confusion. The earth is the planet, the
globe, the soil on which we walk. The world, on the other
hand, is the present Godless systems of societies, cultures, and
peoples ruled over by Satan. "World" is the translation of the Greek
word kosmos. Notice, it is the world which is
deceived, not the earth: "And the great dragon was cast
out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the
whole world." (Revelation 12:9)
This present evil world did not become the realm of
Satan until the sin of Adam and Eve. Their disbelief in God, and
rejection of His rule in their lives ushered in Satan's rule. With
God's plan subverted, the foundation of this world, in
which we live, was established. From that very moment it became
necessary for mankind to be delivered from the clutches of Satan.
"All that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are
not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation
of the world." (Revelation 13:8)
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)
Though the Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming Messiah and
the Kingdom of God, those precious truths could not be fathomed by the
spiritually blinded and deafened multitudes.
"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,
saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have
been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
(Matthew 13:35)
Before the Father and Jesus created all things that are in
heaven and earth, they predetermined that nothing
would prevent their plan from coming to fruition. Their
plan is for mankind's ultimate spiritual birth into the God family.
"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world,
but was manifest in these last times for you." (1Peter 1:19-20)
"[Jesus] gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of
God and our Father." (Galatians 1:4)
Jesus said, "I pray for them: I pray not for the
world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine...Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with
me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:
for thou loved me before the foundation of the world."
(John 17:9, 24)
The good news it this: This present evil world of
Satan's will soon perish - not the earth. God's plan will soon be put
back on track. Jesus Christ, the prophesied Messiah, will establish the
Kingdom of God in all the earth!
"[God] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto
you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution
of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his
holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:20-21)
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| Sermon: |
"Restitution of all Things" |
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