The World, the Church, and the Victory

Although promising many good things after the Cross, Jesus presupposes a godless world, the moral world since Adam. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19. …they have not known the Father, nor me. John 16:3. Abiding vs. Falling Away. Persevering faith for ‘wanted’ men. …I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. John 16:4 Hostility of the World. Acceptance by the world (Christendom) is an historic blip. …”tormented by their peace; infuriated by their joy. William Temple. Operating in aggregate, not individually.”The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed” Acts 4:26. World is aware of Jesus, but willfully rejects what they know. ex. Islam. Response to Hostility. Unacceptable responses: resentment, retaliation, revenge. Acceptable responses: Apostolic witness of the Spirit, who is now Jesus to the apostles John 15:27 our secondary witness John 17:20-21. Forensic witness of the Spirit as prosecutor John 16:8-11. Sin, not believing in Jesus. Righteousness vs. smug hypocrisy Isaiah 64:6. Judgment, ruler of world now judged, so his world will be judged. Scriptural references included Psalm 2:2 cf. Acts 4:26, Psalm 35:19 cf. Psalm 64:4, Luke 6:27-28, 1Peter 3:9, Matthew 5:39, John 14:26, Acts 1:20-26, 1Corinthians 15:7-8, John 8:44, Revelation 12:10,and Ephesians 6:12.