The ancient world was the age when men lived long lives. It was the pre-Flood days when men lived with dinosaurs and mammoths. Adam lived for 930 years. Noah died at the age of 950 years. Eight people survived the Flood that destroyed the ancient world. God destroyed it because the earth was corrupt and was filled with violence. All flesh had corrupted their way on the earth (Gen 6:11-12). He also dealt with the disobedient angels that left their proper dwelling (Gen 6:12; Jude 1:6). But Noah walked with God and heeded the warning of God’s coming wrath. As a result, he and his household were saved when they entered the ark that they built. And their families left the ark to repopulate the present world.
This present world is the present post-Flood age. Life span is much shorter. It is getting more corrupt despite advances in technology and science. This “present evil age” (Gal 1:4) has been given over to the power of the evil one, the prince of the world. Amidst the gloom of wars, famines, plaques, earthquakes, crimes and immorality, the light of Christ is shining. The Word of God and the Spirit of God are your spiritual resources to cope with deception of false teachers and empty philosophers. Men who walked by faith looked forward to the “Kingdom of Heaven” and world to come. Those who deceived and earth-bound pursue and cling on to the glories and treasures of the earth.
On the Cross, Jesus defeated Satan, the evil one. By His death, He cancelled our debt of sins against God. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him” (Col 2:14-15). He completed the mission of His Father. He removed the sting of death, and atoned for the sins of mankind. He will return as King and rule for a thousand years on earth. At the end of that reign, He will judge all the unbelievers by their works at the Great White Throne Judgment. Then the first heaven and the first earth will pass away and a new heaven and a new earth will come (Rev 21:1).
What is your life’s purpose in this present world? Paul says. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As we live in this present earth, walk by faith, do good, proclaim the gospel of Christ and His Coming to rule on earth and in the world to come.
As ambassadors of Christ we are to announce the good news of peace from Christ and warn men of God’s wrath to come. Before any war breaks out,ambassadors are called home. The Bride of Christ is the universal Body of Christ – the believing Jews and Gentiles. At the Rapture, they will be caught up together with those who are asleep in-Christ. They will meet Christ in the air and will always be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17). For God has not destined the Bride of Christ for God’s wrath but to eternal life (1 Thess 1:10; 5:9). When Christ returns to earth, it will mark the end of this present age.
What do we do in this present world?
1. Be content with what God has given you in this present world.
2. Pray in the Holy Spirit, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. Warn your loved ones and others of the wrath of God to come.
4. Learn to do God’s will. God’s will is written in the Word of God – the Bible.
5. Please Christ in all that you do.
Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters” (Mat 6:24).
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
