What does it mean that the world is passing away (1 John 2:17)?

Answer  
  

The apostle John reminds believers not to become too attached to this world: “Do not [love the world](do-not-love-the-world.html) or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15–17, ESV).  
  

The Bible makes no bones about it: this world will not last forever. It is passing away. Life, as we know it here on earth, is only temporary. We are “[foreigners and strangers](sojourner-in-the-Bible.html)” passing through (see Hebrews 11:13\). For this reason, the apostle Paul urges Christians to “use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31\).  
  

In 1 John 2:17 and 1 Corinthians 7:31, the Greek verbs translated as “passing away” are forms of *paragō*, which means “to cease to exist; to vanish.” The prophet Isaiah also foresaw the passing away of the heavens and earth: “All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree” (Isaiah 34:4; see also Isaiah 51:6\). The apostle Peter trained his sights on this future reality too: “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13\).  
  

The “world” in 1 John 2:17 refers to the ungodly system of human civilization, activity, values, beliefs, and morals that is in rebellion against God (see 1 John 5:19\). It represents everything that alienates people from God and prevents them from loving and obeying Him. John was looking forward to the end of this present age when the oppressively wicked world system would come to an end. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35; see also Matthew 5:18\). Through His sacrifice for our sins on the cross, the Lord Jesus Himself promised “to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4\).  
  

Because the world is passing away, we must keep an [eternal perspective](eternal-perspective.html), spending our time and energy living for God’s kingdom and His purposes. The only things from this world that will last into eternity are people who are united with God’s will as opposed to their own (1 John 2:17\). So, we must build our lives on the solid, unshakable foundation of God’s Word (Matthew 7:24–27\). We “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously” instead of worrying about all the things (e.g., food and clothing) we need in this world (Matthew 6:33, NLT). Rather than obsessing over the acquisition of money and possessions, we “store \[our] treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19–20, NLT).  
  

Because the world is passing away, we “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up,” we “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” (Hebrews 12:1–2, NLT).  
  

Jesus is our best representative of living in the world with an eternal perspective. Christ loved the people in the world so much that He left heaven to come live among sinners and give His life to save them (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10\). But He did not love their sinful attitudes and values (see 1 John 2:15; John 15:18–25; Romans 12:2; James 4:4\).  
  

Knowing that this world is passing away inspired Paul to live with his gaze fixed on heaven’s unseen but eternal reality. Although He was persecuted, abandoned, in danger, and suffering great hardships, He never gave up serving Jesus, preaching the love of Christ, and living for God’s glory (see 2 Corinthians 4:7–18\).  
  

