THE WHOLE WORLD IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE WICKED ONE
The Apostle John draws back the curtain and reveals a solemn reality: “the whole world is under the control of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). The language is startling. He does not say that the world occasionally stumbles into evil, nor that wickedness merely visits the earth from time to time.
The world is under the control of the devil.
The world lies in wickedness, as a weary traveler lies down in a bed, content to remain where he is.
The nations boast of progress, men congratulate themselves on their enlightenment, and yet beneath the polished surface there remains a deep estrangement from God. The world may change its fashions, but it does not change its fallen heart. Generation follows generation, yet the old rebellion continues (Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:1-3).
The dominion of the wicked one is not always obvious. Satan is never more dangerous than when he appears harmless.
He is content to let men become religious if they will not become holy.
He permits them to admire Christ so long as they do not submit to Him.
He encourages confidence in self while discouraging faith in the Savior.
Thus multitudes walk broad roads lined with flowers, never realizing that the path ends in destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). The prince of darkness rarely drives men violently toward perdition. More often he lulls them to sleep with comfort, entertainment, and worldly ambition.
Yet the Christian must not despair when he beholds the darkness of the age. The same verse that speaks of a world under the wicked one also declares, “we know that we are of God” (1 John 5:19).
The believer has been delivered from one kingdom and transferred into another (Colossians 1:13-14). Once she walked according to the course of this world, but now she follows the Shepherd of her soul.
Once he was blinded, but now he sees. Once he loved sin, but now he longs for righteousness. The grace that rescued him was not a slight improvement of nature but a glorious resurrection from spiritual death (Ephesians 2:4-6).
How precious, then, is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The world lies in darkness, but He is the Light of the world (John 8:12).
The world is deceived, but He is the Truth (John 14:6).
The world is dying, but He is the Life.
Every hope of mankind rests not in governments, philosophies, or social reforms, but in the crucified and risen Son of God.
Where Christ is received, chains are broken.
Where Christ is believed, hearts are transformed.
Where Christ reigns, Satan’s captives are set free (Luke 4:18; Hebrews 2:14-15).
Therefore let the child of God live as a pilgrim. Why should we build our nests in a world that is passing away (1 John 2:15-17)? Why should we seek the applause of a society that crucified our Lord?
Let us walk through this present age with our eyes fixed upon the kingdom. Let us love sinners without loving their sins. Let us shine as lights amid the surrounding darkness (Philippians 2:15-16).
The night is far spent, and the day is at hand.
The world may lie in wickedness, under the control of the devil, but it shall not remain so forever. The King is coming. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15).
Every enemy shall be subdued beneath His feet. Satan himself shall be cast down forever, and righteousness shall dwell in the new heavens and the new earth (Revelation 20:10; 2 Peter 3:13).
Until that glorious day, let us cling to Christ, proclaim Christ, and rejoice in Christ, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
BDD
