God first spoke to us through the prophets and in these last days through His Son “through whom also He created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Greek word ‘aeon’ that is translated here as ‘world’ means ‘centuries’. This century will come to an end, to pass over into the coming century, because God’s Son will be King for all eternity – literally until the ages of the ages (Revelation 11:15).
Fruits of Jesus’ death
An important fruit of the death of God’s Son on the cross was that He “gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4). God wants to free His children from this present evil world.
We can already experience that now if we are dedicated to Him with an undivided heart. If we in all we are and do, do not want to be conformed to this world (age), “transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Focusing on God
As long as we think as the world thinks, we cannot find God’s will for our lives. If our thinking is God-focused, we ask ourselves how we can make our heavenly Father happy. And whether the Kingdom of God is being served by what we do, bearing in mind that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). We, as His followers, do not belong to this world, but to the one to come.
What controls your life?
Paul says that we should not let ourselves be controlled by everyday things, for example through worries and wealth. These are characteristics of the present world, things that choke the Word, as Jesus says in Matthew 13:22. When He speaks about His return, He warns us with the words: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34).
When we first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we do not have to worry, but we will receive what we need (Matthew 6:33) and will be prepared for His coming.
Resistance
With this attitude we can prepare ourselves for the coming age. With the firm intention not to let ourselves be controlled by a world that rebels against God – a world that, controlled by the ruler of this world, will try, vehemently to alienate us from God and to incite rebellion against Him. But the Holy Spirit gives us strength to resist. The Holy Spirit is the Helper whom God has given to those who are obedient to Him (Acts 5:32).