Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/73

 called by Peter "THE WORLD THAT WAS." 2 Pet. 3: 6.

The second great epoch, from the flood to the establish- ment of the kingdom of God, is under the limited con- trol of Satan, " the prince of this world," and is therefore called " THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD." Gal. r: 4; 2 Pet. 3 : 7.

The third is to be a " world without end " (Isa, 45 117) under divine administration, the kingdom of God, and is called "THE WORLD TO COME wherein dwelleth righteous- ness. 1 ' Heb. 2 : 5 ; 2 Pet. 3 : 13.

The first of these periods, or "worlds," under the min- istration of angels, was a failure ; the second, under the rule of Satan, the usurper, has been indeed an "evil world ;" but the third will be an era of righteousness and of blessing to all the families of the earth.

Thfe last two of these "worlds' 1 are most particularly mentioned, and the statements relative to them are in strong contrast. The present, or second period, is called "the present evil world," not because there is nothing good in it, but because in it evil is permitted to predomi- nate. "Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up ; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered." (Mai. 3 : 15.) The third world or epoch is mentioned as " THE WORLD TO COME wherein dwdleth righteousness" Ktfi because there will be no evil in it, but because evil will not predominate. The blotting out of evil will be gradual, requiring all of the first thousand years. Evil will not rule then ; it will not prosper ; it will no longer be the wicked that will flourish ; but " the righteotis shall flourish" (Psa. 72:7), the "obedient shall eat the good of the land " (Isa. i : 19), and " the evil doer shall be cut off." Psa. 37:9.

Thus seen, the next dispensation is to be so dissimilar as to be the very reverse of the present one in almost every particular. Our Lord's words show why there is to be a

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