INTRODUCTION

I joined two of my kids one day in viewing a cartoon called “Pinky and the Brain”. The two main characters of the cartoon were mice, one supposedly a genius and the other supposedly insane. The interesting thing about this cartoon was the content. “Brain” the genius, was consumed with uncovering the mystery behind the “one world order,” which included such notables as Henry Kissinger, the Clintons, George Bush Sr. and other world dignitaries. Those who believe in its existence believe that there are world rulers that are controlling world events behind the scenes in order to bring about a one-world government.

Aside from it being an unusual topic for cartoons geared for children, the topic has become a widespread notion among many around the world. The truth of the matter is, however, that whatever is going on in the world scene, Satan is coordinating it all. Scripture states that Satan is the ruler of this world, the god of this age and the adversary of the Believer in this Dispensation of Grace.

God’s provisions apart from works characterize the Dispensation of Grace. God has provided Grace Believers all that is needed to glorify Him. There is no need for anything else.

Satan contrived the World System during the Dispensation of Conscience. His main thrust was to prevent mankind from killing off his kingdom.

This Present Evil Age is characterized by an attempt by Satan to thwart God’s plan and purposes for the Dispensation of Grace. Satan attempted to thwart God’s program in past dispensations, but not like he is allowed to do in the present Dispensation. Satan attempts to nullify God’s plans by providing an alternative means, through the Present Evil Age, whereby the believer and unbeliever alike can walk contrary to God’s plan and purposes.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the similarities and distinctions of the Dispensation of Grace, the World System and the Present Evil Age. We will see, from Scripture, that distinct differences exist in the focus, the participants, the methodology and the audience of each. We will also see that these differences have been accounted for in God’s plan and purposes to bring glory to Himself.

A dispensation can be understood as a period in God’s program in which He is revealing something to men about themselves. Oikonomos is the word translated dispensation (1 Cor. 9:17; Col. 1:25). The word oikos is used many times in Scripture of a physical house (Mk. 9:7) as well as those who comprise a family (Acts 10:2). Nomos is the word used for law, which is used to emphasize a standard for behavior Rom. 8:2).

There are three components of a Dispensation: 1) a lord, 2) a steward, and 3) a household.

A lord is the owner of the household. The household owner appoints a steward to run his household. A good illustration is Abraham’s steward Eliezer (Gen. 15:2). The steward would care for those in the household, including the heir, until a time of maturity was appointed by the father. A household consists of servants (Lk.12:43-46) as well as the master’s family (Gal. 4:1-2). The household also included a steward who dispensed to the household their portion of food when necessary (Lk. 12:42). It was necessary for a steward to be faithful (Lk. 12:42) and to be prudent (Lk. 12:42) in order to please his lord.

Man always accepts Satan’s provided alternative to God’s plan and purposes thereby

proving his need for divine guidance.

Those in the Dispensation (Ephesians 3:9).

B. PARTICIPANTS

2. Satan is ruler of the World System. (Jo. 16:31) Satan rules over a dark world that has

been given authority for a short time. The authority of darkness is illustrated in Satan’s authority. Satan has authority over the kingdoms of the world. (Lk. 4:6) Satan has authority over the air. Eph. 2:2 Satan has authority over the people in the world system. (Acts 26:8; Col. 1:13 Eph. 2:2) The authority of darkness is illustrated in “the hour”. (Lk. 22:53; Jo.19:10-11) The authority of darkness will extend into the Tribulation Period. Satan will give authority to the man of lawlessness. (Rev. 13:2, 4) Authority will be given to kings for one hour. (Rev. 17:2) Kings will give their authority to the beast. (Rev. 17; 13) Authority given to kill and torture those upon the earth. (Rev. 6:8; 9:3,10)

3. The World System is passing away (1 Jo. 2:17). Passing away, parago, literally means to lead alongside of or to usher out. The World System, as we know it, will end near the end of the Tribulation Period. (Rev. 18:10-24)

4. Those in the World System are in darkness; separated from the life of God. Darkness

is used in Scripture of the organization of mankind separated from God. Mankind became separated from God due to their rebellion at the Tower of Babel. Instead of separating as they were told to, mankind desired to make a “name” for themselves. (Gen. 11:4) Consequently, they refused to scatter and attempted to build a tower whose top had “a quality of the heavens.”(Gen. 11:4) As a result of the rebellion at Babel, God allowed all of mankind to go their own ways (Acts 14:16-17). God separated men, dividing them “in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.” (Gen. 10:5)

5. The Gentiles were separated from the life of God until the coming of the Lord Jesus. (Eph. 2:15; Lk. 1:79) The heart of mankind was darkened (passive voice indicates someone or something made it that way) at their rejection of God (Rom. 1:21). The Gentiles walk with their thoughts, dianoia - the place of comprehension; understanding (Eph. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:13) darkened (Eph. 4:18) .

6. Spiritual darkness affects how the unsaved (Gentiles) order their manner of life. They walk as ones being spiritually asleep (katheudo), to be slothful, careless (ill. Eph. 5:14). They walk not knowing the facts about where they are going (upago) being ushered away to (John 12:35-36; 1 John 2:11). They love the darkness because their works are poneros evil. John 3:19 (ill. 1 John 3:12) They cannot comprehend (lay hold of or grasp) light. John 1:5 (ill. John 6:40-42; 48-52).

7. Satan uses the religious works of the flesh of the World System to deceive the nations

of the world. Rev. 18:23

A. FOCUS

1. The evil age began in the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ subjected Himself to the authority of darkness (Lk. 22:53; 1 Cor. 2:8).

2. The Evil Age has Rulers. (1 Co. 2:8) Arxon with Satan, has organized fallen angels and the unbelievers into an orderly arranged system of darkness that runs the World System (Eph. 6:12). The apostle Paul refers to the system of spirit being organized by Satan as world rulers. The word for world rulers is kosmoskratos, a compound word meaning Cosmos - to arrange in an orderly fashion (ill. 1 Pet. 3:3) and Kratos - to be strong; to be superior to any one, subdue, vanquish. World rulers are part of this darkness. (Eph. 6:12)⁴ Hermann Cremer gives some insight into the distinction between rulers and the word translated spiritual wickedness.

3. Satan is the god of this age. (2 Co. 4:4) The word god is always used in connection with one who receives worship as a superior being. The people of Lystra tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods when they healed the impotent man. (Acts 14:8-13). This age is characterized as a period in which Satan is receiving worship by substituting God’s method of believers maturing for a different kind of gospel. (Gal. 1:6; 2 Co. 11:4) Satan also, as god of the age, blinds the minds of unbelievers to the good news concerning Jesus Christ, lest they believe and be saved. (2 Co. 4:4)

4. Debators. (1 Co.1: 20). Debator is the compound word suzetes. Su is the Greek preposition together. Zetes is the word to seek. The emphasis of suzetes is that truth can be arrived at by means of debate. It is used of a discourse or discussion as well as a vigorous questioning of a subject matter. Implicit in this process is that the one with the superior application of a subject matter prevailed. (Acts 6:10)

Suzetes is of those engaged in a lightly contested debate where varying parties are discussing the possibilities of an issue. The disciples debated among themselves concerning who would betray Jesus. (Lk. 22:23) The disciples debated among themselves what resurrection meant.(Mk. 9:10)

Suzetes is used of a vigorous debate to the point of contention. The Jews contended with Stephen concerning his interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures. (Acts 6:9) Both the Grecians and the Jews sought to undermine the apostle Paul’s teaching by debating with him. (Acts 9:29; 28:29) The Pharisees debated with Christ. (Mk. 8:11)

Suzetes as used in First Corinthians is one who is a controversial disputer. Vines Expository Dictionary notes that the passage is used of a learned “disputant”. Thus, a product of this age is those learned disputers who dispute God’s method of how believers mature (Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Tim. 76:3-5; Titus 1:9-14).

5. Satan’s mature sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2) are unpersuadable (Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6). The word disobedience is the negative of being persuaded. One who is disobedient makes a

distinction between two courses (Acts 27:11; 13:43). Disobedience is a characteristic of the unsaved man (Tit.3: 3; Rom. 11:30). They are in obstinate opposition to God’s will. Those who are animated by obstinacy. Not allowing oneself to be persuaded, not comply with.⁵ (ill. John 3:36, Acts 14:2; 17:5; 19:9; Rom. 2:8)

Disobedience is a characteristic of the unsaved (Titus 3:3; Rom. 11:30) because they are not persuaded concerning God’s plan and purposes they persist in accomplishing those things opposed to what God is trying to accomplish in the Dispensation of Grace.

Satan’s mature sons are in opposition to God’s program for the Church. Satan’s mature sons resist God’s method for how believers mature under grace. The word for resist is antihistato. Thayer defines it as an attempt at something against others, to rise up against anyone. (Co. 2:6-7; 2 Tim. 3:8; Acts 13:8,10)

Satan’s mature sons are deceivers (Eph. 5:6; 2 Co. 11:3). They use guile as a means of deception (Acts 13:10; 2 Co. 4:2). They use craftiness as a means of deception (2 Co. 11:3-4; 4:2; Acts 13:10). They use enticing speech (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Co.2: 1-4). They handle the Word of God deceitfully (2 Co. 4:2; 1 Thess. 2:3; 2 Co.11: 13), that is, they use bait to corrupt divine truth by mingling it with the wrong notions (Vines). Trench describes the process as tampering by adding to something, falsifying the Word of God, not necessarily for gain, and in contrast to those who hawk the Word for gain. (Tit. 1:1; Phil. 3:19; 2 Pet. 2:3, 14, 15; Jude 11, 16)

Satan’s mature sons pervert Scripture (Acts 13:8,10; 20:30). They masquerade as ministers of righteousness. (2 Co. 11:15) Their behaviors belie their status. They are frauds (Acts 18:14; 13:10). Fraud is used in Scripture as one who is of unscrupulous conduct whereby they use any means to confuse the believer over doctrine (2 Co. 11:3; Eph. 4:14). Thayer defines fraud as the ease and love of a lazy and effeminate life (Eph. 2:3). They are relentless in their beliefs. They never cease perverting the right ways of the Lord (Acts 13:12; 18:25,26; 1 Co. 4:17; Heb. 3:10; 9:8; 10:20).

Satan is allowed to energize his mature sons in the Present Evil Age. These mature sons have two characteristics unique to the Present Evil Age. Satan energizes them (Eph. 2:2). The word energize means to work in, or to operate in. The Energizer battery uses the Energizer bunny to make the point that its batteries can provide operational power in products longer than their competitors. The power that operates in that bunny is energy. Satan provides the operational power for his mature sons to accomplish his purposes in this Present Evil Age. This type of operation power duplicates what God is doing for believers in the Dispensation of Grace. Believers in the Dispensation of Grace are energized to use spiritual gifts (1 Co. 12:6,11). Believers are energized to desire to accomplish the God’s desirous will (Phil. 2:13). Satan, in a similar way, energizes his mature sons to accomplish his desirous will. (Eph. 2:2)

6. The Present Evil Age includes the world of unbelieving mankind (Eph. 2:2; Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13). All unsaved are born under Satan’s authority. Satan manipulates the unsaved, The walk of the unbeliever is measured by the age of the quality of the World System and Satan (Eph. 2:2).

2. Spread evil (Gal. 1:4). Poneros is the word used to describe the evil of this age.Poneros evil is one of two major words translated evil in the New Testament. Poneros carries with it the idea of involving others in his lacking in character. Poneros evil is contrasted in Scripture with dikaio which means to act right (Matt. 13:49) and agathos, that which is inherently good. (Matt. 22:10)

Richard Trench in his Synonyms of The New Testament explains: “The kakos may be content to perish in his own corruption, but the poneros is not content unless he is corrupting others as well, and drawing them into the same destruction with himself.”

Scripture bears out Trench’s definition of poneros to be accurate. It is used in Scripture to denote the drawing of others in. The Jews acted in a poneros manner to draw others into their persecution against Paul (Acts 17:5). The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians that the brother involved in immorality was engaged in poneros evil. His immorality had the potential to spread like leaven (1 Co. 5:6-8; 13). Poneros is further illustrated in the Pharisees’ attempts to undermine Christ. They used others in their conspiracy in an attempt to entangle Him in his own words (Matt. 22:15-18).

This age is termed evil due to the depth of Satan’s operation to involve others in his attempts to undermine God’s plan and purposes for the Dispensation of Grace. Men have acted in a porneros nature before the Dispensation of Grace (1 John 3:12; Rom. 1:29) But, there has not been a time when the depth of poneros evil has characterized a period as it is in this age. Satan’s operation is different than it was in past dispensations. Satan has been allowed to sow his mature sons into the world. (Matt. 13:38); can energize those sons. (Eph. 2:2) and run his program from the midst of God’s people the way he is allowed to operate today (2 Co. 11:12-15; 2 Tim.1-13; 1 Tim. 6:4).

Dwight Pentecost understood the distinction of the depth of poneros evil in this age versus that of other ages when he wrote: “This age is marked by antagonism to God and His anointed. It bears a distinct characterization as an evil age, which was not applied to any other age. This age is, consequently, under the domination of Satan, its god, in a unique and unprecedented way.” - Dwight Pentecost ³

There are works that accompany poneros evil men. They persecute saints. The apostle Paul acknowledged that the evil he suffered was at the hands of poneros evil men - but the Lord delivered him. (2 Tim. 4:17-18) John had a problem with evil men in some of the churches of Galatia. Diotrephes tried to undermine the church by speaking poneros evil things against John and others. (3 John 10)

A. The wisdom belonging to the Present Evil Age is similar to that in the World System. Satan provides alternative wisdoms in the Present Evil Age and in the World System in an attempt to undermine God’s wisdom. Satan provides wisdom for the World System that undermines God’s wisdom for initial salvation (1 Cor. 1:21). Satan provides wisdom of the Present Evil Age in an attempt to nullify God’s plan for maturing saints (1 Cor. 2:6). Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge (Rev. 13:18; Acts 7:10; 2 Pet. 3:15).

The wisdom of the World System is man’s attempt to apply what he knows in matters of initial salvation. The World System does not understand God’s means of salvation and rejects it (1 Co. 1:22). God, by His wisdom, planned it so that the World System by its wisdom could not come to know Him. (1:21) Consequently, the World System provides its own means of salvation totally separate from God’s plan and purposes (1 Co. 1:22). The wisdom of the World System require enticing words (1 Co. 2:4). The wisdom of the World System for initial salvation is but empty reasoning (1 Co. 3:19).

God, contrary to the wisdom of this world, chose some in Christ in this dispensation before the foundation of the world (Eph.1: 4; 1 Thess. 4:14; Rom. 8:31-34; 2 Tim. 2:10). God purposed, those He chose, setting forth a guiding motive for using them (Rom. 9:11; 8:28; Eph. 1:11). God chose as a righteous act (Rom. 9:14-15).

Satan provides wisdom in the Present Evil Age in an attempt to nullify God’s means for maturing saints. (1 Co. 2:6). The Present Evil Age’s wisdom for maturing saints contains ordinances that pertain to the elements of the World System (Col. 2:20-23). The Corinthians considered themselves to be wise by the standards of this age (1 Cor. 3:18). The apostle Paul did not speak the wisdom of this age in order to mature Grace Believers (1 Cor. 2:6). The wisdom spoken by the apostle for maturing believers was a mystery before it was revealed in this dispensation. (1 Cor. 2:7).

A. Grace believers have been delivered from the Present Evil Age and the World System (Eph 2:2-5; Col. 1:13). Believers do not have to walk according to the course of the age any longer. Believers can walk as born ones of light (Eph 4:1; 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:4-8). Believers can walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10).

B. The Grace Believer can misdirect love towards the World System and the Present Evil Age (1 John 2:15; 2 Tim. 4:10).

C. The rich in the World System are warned against having a bloated opinion of themselves by hoping in riches, which gives credibility to this Present Evil Age (1 Tim. 6:17).

D. The Dispensation of Grace, child-trains believers on how to live in this Present Evil Age (Titus 2:12). The believer learns to deny ungodliness and worldly lust. Thusly, the believer learns to live with a mind reflectively thinking on salvation, righteously and godly, living a life that gives God what is due Him. This life is a contrast to the Age, which attempts to usurp from God that which is due Him. To this end, the believer has eternal life as a possession (Mk. 10:30; 1 John 5:11).