Glossary
The World
In the Bible, the use of the word 'world' sometimes simply refers to the physical earth, and, more often, to the people who populate the earth. However, much of the time it speaks of the world system that is under the control of the devil and is totally opposed to God, his Christ and his Kingdom. There is a culture to this world in the present age, there is a spirit and a pattern to this world and there are rulers and a wisdom to this world. This world even produces its own false religions. In the Old Testament, and in the book of Revelation, the powers of other nations against Israel, especially Egypt and Babylon, are used to represent this world system which seeks to enslave God's covenant people but from which God sets his people free. God does use the nations to bring judgement as discipline upon his own people at times, but ultimately the world stand under the judgement and condemnation of God.