GRACE GAZETTE
Volume IXIssue 21
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD

Who 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

One of the most comforting and glorious revelations which the LORD has made about HIMSELF and HIS will is that all things which occur in the heavens and the earth take place exactly according to HIS predestined purpose. In the Psalms, David says of the true and living GOD, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psa 115:3) This is spoken in direct contrast to the gods of men’s imaginations who are but impostors. These gods are those who have no hands but the hands of men and no feet but the feet of the lame. These gods only propose what they would like to see occur and lament the unpredictable fates of their supposed subjects. They can merely hope that men will do as they wish and sit idly by as some slip into hell and others find the pathway to heaven.

Paul was acquainted with the same GOD as David was, and time again speaks of HIM who has both designed and accomplished the complete salvation of those whom HE has loved prior to HIS creation of the very heavens and earth which HE would cause them to occupy. All worlds whether they be evil or good (according to man’s definition) are the product of the hand of HIM who forms the light and the darkness. Without HIM was nothing made that was made.

It is sheer folly for men to think that they can accuse GOD of being evil because it has pleased HIM to create a world which Paul describes as “this present evil world” and it is equal folly for men to think that HE is not the DIRECTOR of all that occurs in it or the AUTHOR of every event which HE orchestrates in fulfilling HIS divine purpose. “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? “ (Rom 9:20) ”He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan 4:35)

GOD does not call upon men to defend HIS honor as if it could be in question but rather demands that they fall at HIS feet give HIM homage. “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Rev 15:3-4) “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:10-11) All creation shall tremble before HIM, “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” (Isa 13:13)

Thus, in my opinion it is foolish for men to quibble about the origin of evil as if GOD is somehow ashamed of its presence. HE hates the wicked and his wickedness with a perfect hatred, yet no evil deed has ever occurred outside of the ordained purpose of HIM who does all things well. Glory to HIS name, let the potsherds of the earth cavil and reason among themselves, but they shall all fall down and alike magnify HIM who makes peace and creates evil. “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.” (Isa 45:5-8)

The LORD would teach HIS truth and magnify the glory of HIS grace to all of HIS creation in the manifestation of HIS redemptive work of that people which HE gave to CHRIST before the foundation of the world. How marvelous does such a thing appear in the eyes of those whom the scripture says, they “desire to look into.” (1Pe 1:12) Yea these very angelic beings are dumbfounded at the display of such great grace and mercy. Were they not witnesses to the fact that HE cast out from heaven, of their number a multitude on the account of wickedness? Now they see HIM sparing no expense to redeem sinners of the human race by taking upon HIMSELF the likeness of their sinful flesh and suffering in their room and stead.

They look on in wonder from afar and can not quite grasp it all, yet those who are made the recipients of HIS mercy and grace among the sons of men are brought to their knees in gratitude, as they are made aware of the scope of HIS love for them in the unfolding of redemption revealed in the gospel of JESUS CHRIST who imputes HIS righteousness to all of HIS posterity.

The unregenerate man may lament his misfortune in this world, but he yet still identifies himself with it and treasures his existence in it, hoping that he can extend his stay by some means. Yet those whom the LORD is pleased to awaken find themselves to be but strangers and sojourners here and confess that they desire a better country wherein dwelleth righteousness. (see Heb.11) Thus Paul declares the purpose of GOD to deliver HIS people from this “present evil world.”

The LORD is often pleased to set forth HIS truth by way of contrast and that can nowhere be seen more clearly than in HIS creation of this “present evil world” and that “new heavens and new earth” which HE has prepared for those whom HE loves with an everlasting love. Even as HE testified to HIS disciples, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

This world in which we presently dwell is, thankfully, temporary and is characterized by sin, weakness, and death. It cannot continue as it is because by the very design of GOD it is fitted for destruction along with those who delight in it. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1John 2:15)

The blood of bulls and goats was sufficient to be a pattern of sacrifice for sin in this “present evil world”. Such patterns and types are suitable for that which is temporary, even as the giving of the law of Moses with all of its pomp and glory is suitable for the religious man. Yet these things are not the substance of that which is eternal. “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Heb 9:23-24)

The HOPE of the sons of GOD hangs upon HIM who has come into this “present evil world” in a fleshly body and has fulfilled all of the laws and demands which HIS FATHER has seen fit to subject HIS children to. Yet HE would not simply satisfy this law but would completely take it out of the way in fulfilling its jot and tittle for those whom HE has appointed the heirs of HIS salvation which has its manifestation in HIS complete deliverance of them from this “present evil world” unto that world which has no end. For HE has entered in once into that holy place with HIS own blood, without spot or blemish. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25)

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