A World Free of Evil: The Reality That Christ Has Promised

Alt-text (main):             God creating the world for man.

Photo by macrovector

Caption:                       Christ promises us a world free of evil.

“A world free of the evil of the old world. A world where we can teach our new neighbors of Christ’s promise.”

– pg. 552

Pamela Roberts Lee’s The Darkness at Dawn is–at its core–a commitment to the reality that Christ promised those who followed him: a world free of evil.

A World Free of Evil Will Come

A world that is bereft of suffering and injustice is a world all humans desire. For Christians, though, this is more than just an aspiration. A world that is free of evil is actually a concrete promise from Scripture:

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

This is a world that is sure to come about that is rooted in the teachings and triumph of Jesus Christ. It is a hope that all Christians should bear in their hearts, for while this world is still mired in a pervasive darkness, faith assures us that evil will surely be vanquished and that an era of perfect peace and righteousness is a certainty.

The Biblical Foundation for a Better World

While the vision of a world free of evil hinges upon Christ’s promise, it is actually rooted in the pronouncements of the prophets from the Old Testament. A prominent example would be Isaiah (11:6), who saw a future where:

Alt-text (second):         A crowd of hands lifting up the world.

Photo from freepik

Caption:                       Christ promises us a world free of evil.

The wolf will live with the lamb,

    the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together;

    and a little child will lead them.

This paints a reality where divisions between people no longer exist, and that the inherent struggle of nature for dominance is laid to rest. The oppressor breaks bread with the oppressed, and their children will continue to make the world a better place.

This vision extends beyond the natural order, even encompassing nations (2:4):

…They will beat their swords into plowshares

    and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

    nor will they train for war anymore.

These prophecies speak of a time when God’s justice will prevail, conflict will be no more, and the Earth as we know it now–full of hate and malice–will be turned over, becoming a world where only peace and harmony reign without hindrance and threat.

These Old Testament anticipations lay the groundwork for the fuller revelation found in the teachings of Jesus and his apostles.

The Road to Perfection is Not Easy

Of course, while Christ has promised a world free of evil, the road to its fruition will not be easy. Like the Puritans fleeing the Old World in search of a better place in The Darkness at Dawn, reaching the Good Place was fraught with danger and hardship.

God does not offer paradise without struggle, after all.

Yet, this is not something to fear or cower from. The road to perfection has already been made short because of Christ. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity, breaking the power of sin that enslaves and corrupts. His resurrection demonstrated his triumph over death, the final consequence of sin. While evil continues to manifest in the present age, the foundational victory has already been secured.

A Future that will Be Fulfilled

While the full realization of a world free from evil will come in the future, the promise of Christ still resonates with us believers in the present.

There is a hope here that provides a powerful anchor in the midst of suffering and injustice.

The promise of a world free from evil is not based on wishful thinking but on the unwavering faithfulness of God.

Scripture continually emphasizes and reinforces God’s commitment to His promises and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation.

The victory of Christ over sin and death only serves as the guarantee of this future reality. Believers should have absolute confidence that God’s plan will be fulfilled and that the day will come when evil will be no more.

The promised world free of evil is not merely a possibility; it is the assured reality that Christ has purchased and that God will bring to pass.

Alt-text (third):             Jesus Christ looking at the world.

Photo from freepik

Caption:                       Christ promises us a world free of evil.

The Darkness at Dawn by Pamela Roberts Lee is historical fiction that provides an intimate perspective on why the Puritans sought out the New World. Grab a copy now through this link.