Thus it may be seen that the believer is not only a citizen of heaven, but that he has also been brought into a position where many privileges of the heavenly experience are open to him.

In like manner, the believer’s position in relation to this world is not only a separation from the world by nature and purpose; but he is also said to be a stranger and a pilgrim among the inhabitants of this dark age.  “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles” (I Pet. 2:9-12).  The same expression of “strangers and pilgrims” is used, also, in regard to the faith descendants of Abraham:  “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims upon the earth” (Heb. 11:13).  This same wide difference between the people of this world and the people of God is also stated in passages where the world is understood to be the system over which Satan now rules:  “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world (Satanic system) shall keep it unto life eternal” (Jno. 12:25).  “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore who will be a friend of the world (Satanic system) is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4).  Love not the world (Satanic system), neither the things that are in the world.  “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (I Jno. 2:15-17).

The word “lust,” constantly used in description of the Satanic system, has a much larger meaning in the Scripture than its present popular use, where it refers only to that which is sensual.  In these passages quoted, it refers to the whole Satan-inspired ambition of humanity, and includes their principle of self-help, and their struggle for all that, to them, is highest and best.  It is unlawful, in that it disregards the truth of God; and it is related to that which is physical, because it magnifies the finite being and its resources.

Two other striking passages concerning the relation of the believer to the world are here given:  “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as he is, so are we in this world (Satanic system)” (I Jno. 4:17).  “As thou hast sent me into the world (Satanic system), even so have I also sent them into the world (Satanic system)” (Jno. 17:18).