Do not love {or} cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
And the world passes away {and} disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.
(1 John 2:15-17)
We were not made to live in the world system. We were made for kingdom living. God would have us to set our affection on things above. The spiritual realm. As God called Abram out of Chadea, He’s calling His church to a higher place, a new horizon heaven bound. We must realize that we are only temporary residents. We must fulfill our purpose and like Jesus when it is accomplished we can declare like Jesus, It’s finished.
This world has an attachment of lust or desire. Desires for sensual gratification, eyes for everything that seem desirable and the assurance in one’s own resources in the earthly scene. All these things are going to pass away because of they are temporary. The world will pass away because what is seen is only temporary, but what is eternal is everlasting. Jesus said that this world will pass away but those who do the will of the Lord abides forever.
We get so comfortable in this world that we forget that Jesus said in John 14:1-3 - DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in {and} adhere to {and} trust in {and} rely on God; believe in {and} adhere to {and} trust in {and} rely also on Me.
In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.
And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jesus has a prepared place for us. We often tend to hang on to what our eyes see in the natural. We have to remind ourselves that we are only in a temporary place. The Apostle Peter referred to us as pilgrims (a traveler or wanderer, especially in a foreign place) and strangers (a person who is not a member of the family, group, community, or the like, as a visitor or guest).
We have to set our affection to the things above, in the heavenly realm. The bible says, where your treasure is there will your heart also be. We must take note’s from Lot’s wife. She keep her sight’s in Sodom. She just couldn’t loose sight of her home there. God sent angels to Lot and his family warning them to come out of Sodom because it was going to be destroyed because of the terrible cry of sin that was reaching up to heaven.
This earth is going to be destroyed. God has let us know the end of the story. 2 Peter 3:7-10 – But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.
Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord does not delay {and} is not tardy {or} slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.
Apostle Peter goes on to encourage us in 2 Peter 3:12 – 14 - While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will flare {and} melt with fire?
But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide.
So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Peter is telling us to stay focused and ready to be “beamed up” to our heavenly abode. We are not to get comfortable here but to be ready. Luke 12:40 – You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour {and} a moment when you do not anticipate it.
Be reminded of what Jesus said in John 17:13 -17 - And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full {and} complete {and} perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].
I have given {and} delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.
I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep {and} protect them from the evil one.
They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
We are to do as Jesus says, “Occupy until I come” yet in the meantime we must be expecting and anticipating to be relocated to our heavenly home. Our faith must be stirred and anticipating what the Lord has prepared and made available for those who are anticipating his return. Hebrews 9:28 – Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself {and} bear as a burden the sins of many once {and} once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin {nor} to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for {and} expecting Him.
