Hope Bible School
Hope Bible School
Lesson 45 - 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts...
0:00
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -10:30
-10:30

Lesson 45 - 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts...

1 John 2:17

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 45 we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:17.

Let’s read this part of the verse.


1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts…


Now, let’s take a look at the definition of the words.

The world (3588. ho, hé, to) (2889. kosmos) means an ordered system like the universe or creation. Here, "the world" doesn't refer to the physical planet, but rather a way of thinking and living that is contrary to God's intentions and is shaped by Satanic values. (HELPS Word-studies).

is passing away (3855. paragó) means to pass by, go away, depart, or disappear. This is currently happening in the present.

and also (2532. kai) means also or namely.

its lusts (1939. epithumia) means the world’s unbridled passions, excessive urges, or inordinate desires.

In other words, the way of thinking and living that is contrary to God’s intentions and shaped by Satanic values and inordinate desires, is in the process of disappearing or fading away.

One day, the world will end in an act of divine judgment, culminating in fire and destruction.

Let’s read through some verses that speak about the temporary nature of the physical world and the satanic world system. Plus let’s dive into some verses about the ultimate end of the world.

In Isaiah 40:8, we read about withering grass and falling flowers. Isaiah shows us that nature is fleeting and that the world around us is temporary, subject to decay and destruction. However, God’s word is eternal. This verse encourages us to focus on the reality of eternity rather than the temporary systems of the world.


Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”


In Matthew 24:35, we read that heaven and earth will pass away. By saying this, Jesus is emphasizing that the physical earth and sky around us are temporary. In contrast, God’s word will never pass away. He encourages us to focus on what is eternal.


Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.


In 1 Corinthians 7:31, Paul points out the world in its present form is passing away. He is encouraging believers to maintain an eternal mindset.


1 Corinthians 7:31 …For this world in its present form is passing away.


In 2 Peter 3:10, we read about the day of the Lord. This verse speaks of the sudden and unexpected destruction of the elements, showing us that the current creation is temporary. There will come a time when God will judge the wicked, and the world system as we know it will be destroyed.


2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.


In Hebrews 1:10-12, we read that the world will wear out like a garment and perish, but God remains the same for eternity.


Hebrews 1:10-12 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”


In 1 John 2:8, we read that the darkness is fading. The darkness represents the world and its temptations. The world is temporary, but Jesus is eternal. (See Lesson 31).


1 John 2:8 Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.


In Revelation 21:1, we read that the current world will be replaced by an eternal, perfect one. The new heavens and the new earth are where followers of Christ will dwell with God forever. There will be no more sin, death, or any form of evil.


Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”


In conclusion, the evil, Satanic world system designed to pull people away from a relationship with God, along with its excessive ungodly desires, is passing away. The darkness is fading.

The world is temporary, like withering grass and falling flowers. God will ultimately judge the world suddenly, and the earth, heavens, and elements will be destroyed by fire and will disappear.

The world will be no more and will be replaced by the new heavens and new earth, where God will remove all evil, and believers in Christ will live with God for eternity. The former things will have passed away.

Remember that the world is temporary and passing away. But God is eternal. Focus on Him.

Let’s read the part of the verse we just studied one more time.


1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts…


If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.

If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.

Thank you and God bless you,

Jeff M Newman

(Photo by Sergey Pesterev on Unsplash)

More Bible Studies

Share

Thanks for reading Hope Bible School! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Discussion about this podcast