PART TWO
The World Realm
Introduction
Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is My kingdom is not of this realm.’ John 18:36
The kingdom of God with Jesus Christ as king is not “of this world.” However, entrance into His kingdom is available to the people of the world realm (Col. 1:13). Jesus chose His disciples out of the world (John 15:19). Christians are now seated with Christ in heavenly places “in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6. The two realms available to mankind at this time are identified in the Bible as the world realm and “in Christ.” It is significant to note the term “in Christ,” or its equivalent, has been used one dozen times in the first chapter of the Ephesian epistle. The Apostle Paul speaks of those who are without and those who are within (I Cor. 5:12). The world is in darkness and Satan is its ruler (John 12:31; Acts 26:18).
Our usage of the word “world” will be from the Greek word AION, as used in Rom. 12:2 and Gal. 1:4. AION does not imply definite dates or physical boundaries. In this sense it is similar to the “heavenly places in Christ,” only it is the other realm. It is the world.
The world realm has existed since Adam sinned. The other realm did not become available to mankind until after Jesus ascended to the Father and the gospel was preached (Acts 2). God raised up Jesus, but His spiritual body, known in the Bible as the church of Christ, church of God and many other descriptive terms, is available for people in time (Eph. 1:18, 21). The preposition “in” as “in Christ” signifies Christians are Christ’s body (Rom. 12: 4, 5). We entered the world realm by physical birth. We can enter the “in Christ” realm by a spiritual birth. Jesus said,
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6
The lessons in Part Two will describe the terrible condition in the world realm. First, we will come to understand sin is more than a naughty act. It becomes a reigning power over the sinner. We will understand what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Sin reigns in death,” in Romans 5:21. The lessons next in order will be about Satan. A study will be made of his power, nature and activities. We will come to understand the terrible consequence of associating with Satan. The last lesson will show the degradation of man as the result of Satan’s work and the world environment that is produced by sin and death.
