Lesson Three

In this lesson on "God So Loved The World", we want to take a closer look at the word world.

Througout the Bible, there are phrases and verses that seem to portray a rather strange God...

I spread My wing over you...Ezekiel 16:8 Is God a bird? Does He have wings?

Your right hand is full of praise...Psalm 48:10 Is God a man that He has hands? Can He hold righteousness?

These verses are examples of figurative language or symoblic verse. In the same way, when we read the word "world", we cannot automatically assume it means what what our culture says it means.

To describe God's creation(trees, mountains, etc.)
The system of Satan(his evil plans, demons, etc.,)
Figuratively(a manner of speech to describe a certain group of people)
Now, lets look at some verses with the word "world" in it, and see if we can tell which definition from above should be used...
..has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds..Hebrews 1:2
Does the word mean-Creation
Satan's System
Certain people or tribes
All people
Do not love the world, or things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him...1 John 2:15
Now that's an interesting verse... It says that if anyone loves the world, then the love of God is not in them. Does that mean that God does not have love? Look at it..the verse says not to love the world, doesn't that contradict John 3:16? Of course not!It's obvious to see that the word "world" is used to describe the system of Satan and his power over humanity. One more verse...
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"..John 12:19
Do the Pharisees mean that the trees and mountains are following Jesus? No. Do they mean that demons and followers of Satan are following Him? No. Do they mean that everybody from across the whole planet is there in Jerusalem and following Jesus? Certainly not. What they are trying to say is that "many" people are following Him-a figurative or symbolic use of language.
Now you can see that the word "world" can be used in different ways. So, ask yourself this in relation to John 3:16-did God love the trees so much that He sent Jesus to die? Did He love Satan so much that He sent Jesus to die? Did He love some people so much that He sent Jesus to die? Or did He love all people so much that He sent Jesus to die? I think we can narrow it down to the last two. Maybe I haven't changed your mind on this issue, but at least now you have another reason to look at this openly.