Those That are “Not of This World”

>> Link to YouTube video on this topic (17 min.): https://youtu.be/lrn8COOW2wA

Jesus spoke of those that are “Not of this World” on several occasions:

John 17:15-16 – I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

John 18:36 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”

So there are those who have forsaken the things of this world, given their life to Christ, and have been “born again” into new life. This life is in the Son, and all that are His are becoming part of this Kingdom of God. This Kingdom was already being proclaimed by Jesus Christ the Lord while He was in his earthly state some two thousand years ago. And it has now been spread across the globe since that time, so that whenever and wherever “two or more are gathered” in His name, He is there in the midst of them.

Those that have trusted Christ with their life are “born again”, their dead spirit is made alive, and they are no longer “of this world“. Their names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, and they are spiritually seated with Christ in Heavenly places. They receive the Spirit of Christ in their heart, who is in them and with them, and they are sealed until they leave this earthly life. As the Bible says,

“… we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
And we eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.” (Phil 3:20 NLT)

They are still living “in the world”, but they are no longer “of the world”. In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for His own before He went to the cross to offer Himself as a sacrifice for all of human kind’s sins:

“I have given them Your word and the world has hated them;
for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You
keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 1`7:14-16 BSB)

Those That are “Of The World”

Those that “of the world” are not born again, not filled with the Holy Spirit, and have not placed their faith and trust in Christ. All those who have been born again were once in this state – born only of the flesh, not understanding the things of the Spirit, setting their minds on earthly things. Lost souls, spiritually dead in sin, without hope in the world. As the Apostle Paul writes:

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk
when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience…” (Eph 2:1-2)

So those “of the world” are conforming themselves to the ways of the world, and to the evil power that rules behind the scenes – the “prince of the power of the air”. Especially in this day and age, they are addicted to the daily messaging that flows through the mainstream TV channel. Their thinking becomes conformed to the world, they become “programmed” as to their thinking, and their foolish hearts become darkened.

How is one to be rescued from the dominion of the world? Thanks be to God, He does not want any of His creatures to perish (see John 3:16). He reaches out to every one, far and wide, and reveals Himself to all of us through His creation (which is all around us)…

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Rom 1:20 NLT)

… and through the “good news” of the gospel message which has been spread across the world for the last two thousand years – and now, in these last days, is being shared to all nations and tribes, in all languages, through global cellular and internet communications. When someone hears the message, and responds, God reaches out – by His grace – and saves them. There is no ritual required, no secret password, no “works” that need to be performed to be saved, and become a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom. It merely requires a sincere yes, and giving your life to Jesus. The door of the heart is locked from the inside. You must respond and let Him in, giving Him your all. In response, He will transform you, and give you the best life you could ever imagine!

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not by works, so that no one can boast…” (Eph 2:8-9)

The Two Worlds Contrasted

There is a clear contrast between those who are “of the world”, and those who are “not of this world”. And I believe that this difference will be even more pronounced as we approach the End Times. Here are just a few of the key differences between those that are citizens of the world, and those that have their citizenship in heaven:

Kingdom of the World	Kingdom of Heaven
Self-centered	Other centered
Selfish behavior	Unselfish behavior
Habitually taking	Habitually giving
Sowing to the flesh	Sowing to the spirit
World minded and focus	Heavenly minded and focus
Materialist	Spiritualist
Spiritually dead in sins	Spiritually alive in Christ
Born once	Born twice (“born again”)
Of this world	Not of this world
Member of the World	Member of Christ’s Body the church
Destination: eternal death	Destination: eternal life
At home in the world	Strangers in a strange land
At home in the earthly cities	Looking for a heavenly city not made with hands
In the kingdom of darkness	In the kingdom of Light
Lost in the world, tossed about	Saved and seated in heavenly places

The Kingdoms of this World will Become the Kingdom of Our Lord

In the not too distant future (see my series of articles on “Are we in the End Times?“), we shall be entering events that have been foretold thousands of years ago. There will come, and it has already started, a great “Falling Away” from the faith. As difficult times begin to arise, those who profess to be Christians but are really not, will “fall away” from the faith and join the emerging one world order. When troublesome times become even worse than they are now, people will be looking to a leader who can restore stability, and ensure their safety.

Already the nations of this world are being conditioned to accept a “New World Order” that will be the platform for this new world leader – see my article on the coming “Great Reset”, and how it is helping to pave the way for a new world economic and political system. There have already been many “anti-christs” that have come and gone over the past 2,000 years, but as we enter the last seven year period (the Tribulation spoken of in the Bible) of the world as we know it, the final “Anti-Christ” will step out of the shadows and onto the world stage. These are the two key signs that will mark the beginning of the End Times: 1) a great “falling away”, and 2) the appearance of the Anti-Christ (see 2 Thess. 1-4)

When the Anti-Christ steps forward, he will be viewed as a “savior”. All those that are “of the world” will applaud, and bow down to this new “world leader”. True believers and followers of Christ will be targeted for persecution, and many will be put to death during this final period of world history. This is the evil one’s final stand, and it does not end well for the evil one, his forces, and those “of the world”,

At the end of this terrible period in history, Christ Jesus the Lord will return. You can bet your life on it. He will come not as a suffering and sacrificial Lamb (as He did the first time, 2,000 years ago), but as a fierce Lion who will bring justice and judgement upon all those on the earth who practice evil. That “Day of the Lord” may come come very soon – already we are seeing many signs of the End Times. I pray you see this, and if you have not already done so, repent and give your heart to Jesus Christ the Lord.

Don’t be caught unprepared in these approaching end times!  If you don’t know the Lord, here is a link to Billy Graham’s web site that can show you how you can accept the Lord into your heart, be born again, begin a right relationship with Him, and become a member of the Kingdom of God!

Go to Steps to Peace with God ==> http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp