We see the phrase “people who belong to this world” throughout the book of Revelation. It is always used in the context of those who will be deceived or led away to be destroyed. These people are identified as “the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb” (Revelation 13:8). There are many warnings throughout Scripture against belonging to this world and while Revelation is filled with many mysteries, this one is very clear: to belong to this world makes you an enemy of God.

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:1-4)

So how can we make sure we do not belong to this world, that we are not enemies of God? We must follow the warnings and signs throughout Scripture that can identify us as belonging to the world rather than God.

“…there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:18b-20)

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

Does your conduct show you belong to Christ or does your conduct show you are an enemy? Is your appetite your god: have you made a god of food? Is glutton a deadly sin in your life? Do you brag about things the Bible calls shameful? Do you think only about life on earth, working to build your wealth and kingdom here? Do you love the things of the world and are you constantly collecting more treasures for yourself here on earth? Do you crave pleasures? Do you take pride in your achievements and possessions? You can self-evaluate on all of these questions, but how do you look to others? Do you look like the rest of the world?

“‘Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!’” (Matthew 6:22-23)

If you belong to this world, it is not going to end well for you. The book of Revelation speaks of the beast performing miracles and those who belong to this world are deceived by them. Jesus already warned us of this happening.

“‘Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.’” (Matthew 24:23-25)

We have been given plenty of warnings to not belong to this world and plenty of checks and guidelines to make sure that we do not belong to this world. How vigilant are you in guarding yourself against the love to this world? When the end comes, will you belong to God or to the world?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.