An ultra-mini bible study by JN Darby (1800-1882) on the subject of the "true history of the world and it's practical principles" as found in the brief story of Cain in the 4th chapter of Genesis. The world is now and always has been hostile to the true Spirit of God. This especially includes apostate Christendom 2012 in it's many forms. The love of this world and friendship with it betrays the empty profession of faith of those within, revealing what always proves to be a heart truly filled with enmity against the LORD and his anointed (Ps. 2:2). "Come out of her my people" said the voice speaking from heaven which the apostle John heard long ago on the isle of Patmos (Rev. 18:4), and those words have never been recalled. (scripture references added)
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The Friendship of the World
"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God; whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4
We have the true history of the world and its practical principles in Cain. He had slain his brother (Gen. 4:8), and was cast out of the presence of God, despairing of grace, and refusing to humble himself (Gen. 4:5,9). By the judgment of God he was made a vagabond on the earth (Gen. 4:12); but such a condition did not suit him. He settled down where God had made him a vagabond (Gen. 4:16), and he called the city after the name of his son, to perpetuate the greatness of his family (Gen. 4:17).
That his city should be deprived of all the delights of life would have been unbearable; therefore he multiplied riches for his son. Then another member of the family invented instruments of music; another was the instructor of artificers in brass and iron (Gen. 4:19-22). The world being cast out from God, sought to make its position pleasant without God, to content itself at a distance from Him.
The world is ever the same world: Satan is its prince (John 14:30), and all that is in it, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world (1 John 2:15-17). The heart of man, the flesh, has since the fall been always enmity against God.
By the coming of Christ, the state of man's heart was manifested (John 15:22), not only as seeking the pleasures of the flesh, but as being enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). However great His goodness (Matt. 4:24; 11:20), it would not be disturbed in the enjoyment of the pleasures of the world, nor submit itself to the authority of another (Luke 19:14); it would have the world for itself, fighting to obtain it, and snatching it from the hands of those who possessed it.
It is often thought and said, that since the death of Christ, Satan is no longer the prince of this world; but it was precisely then that he declared himself as its prince, leading on all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, to crucify the Saviour (Mark 15:12-20). And although men now bear the name of Christ (2 Peter 2:1), the opposition of the world to His authority remains the same.
Only observe and see if the name of Christ is not dishonoured. Man may indeed be taught to honour it; but it is none the less true that where he finds his enjoyment, where his will is free, he shuts out Christ, lest He should come in and spoil his pleasures (John 3:19-20). If left alone he does not think of Him, he does not like to be spoken to of the Saviour (Acts 5:40); he sees no beauty in Him that he should desire Him (Isa. 53:3). Man likes to do his own will, and he does not want the Lord to come and oppose it; he prefers vanity and pleasures (Ps. 4:2).
Now, it is evident that the friendship of this world is enmity with God. As far as in them lay, they cast God out of the world, and drove Him away. Man desires to be great in this world; we know that the world has crucified the Son of God, that it saw no beauty in the One in whom God finds all His delight (Matt. 17:5). J. N. Darby 1879
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And as for the world in the days of Cain's descendents...
Gen. 6:13 'And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.' [cf. Luke 17:26]
***
The Friendship of the World
"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God; whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4
We have the true history of the world and its practical principles in Cain. He had slain his brother (Gen. 4:8), and was cast out of the presence of God, despairing of grace, and refusing to humble himself (Gen. 4:5,9). By the judgment of God he was made a vagabond on the earth (Gen. 4:12); but such a condition did not suit him. He settled down where God had made him a vagabond (Gen. 4:16), and he called the city after the name of his son, to perpetuate the greatness of his family (Gen. 4:17).
That his city should be deprived of all the delights of life would have been unbearable; therefore he multiplied riches for his son. Then another member of the family invented instruments of music; another was the instructor of artificers in brass and iron (Gen. 4:19-22). The world being cast out from God, sought to make its position pleasant without God, to content itself at a distance from Him.
The world is ever the same world: Satan is its prince (John 14:30), and all that is in it, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world (1 John 2:15-17). The heart of man, the flesh, has since the fall been always enmity against God.
By the coming of Christ, the state of man's heart was manifested (John 15:22), not only as seeking the pleasures of the flesh, but as being enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). However great His goodness (Matt. 4:24; 11:20), it would not be disturbed in the enjoyment of the pleasures of the world, nor submit itself to the authority of another (Luke 19:14); it would have the world for itself, fighting to obtain it, and snatching it from the hands of those who possessed it.
It is often thought and said, that since the death of Christ, Satan is no longer the prince of this world; but it was precisely then that he declared himself as its prince, leading on all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, to crucify the Saviour (Mark 15:12-20). And although men now bear the name of Christ (2 Peter 2:1), the opposition of the world to His authority remains the same.
Only observe and see if the name of Christ is not dishonoured. Man may indeed be taught to honour it; but it is none the less true that where he finds his enjoyment, where his will is free, he shuts out Christ, lest He should come in and spoil his pleasures (John 3:19-20). If left alone he does not think of Him, he does not like to be spoken to of the Saviour (Acts 5:40); he sees no beauty in Him that he should desire Him (Isa. 53:3). Man likes to do his own will, and he does not want the Lord to come and oppose it; he prefers vanity and pleasures (Ps. 4:2).
Now, it is evident that the friendship of this world is enmity with God. As far as in them lay, they cast God out of the world, and drove Him away. Man desires to be great in this world; we know that the world has crucified the Son of God, that it saw no beauty in the One in whom God finds all His delight (Matt. 17:5). J. N. Darby 1879
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And as for the world in the days of Cain's descendents...
Gen. 6:13 'And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.' [cf. Luke 17:26]
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