A Dark Revelation

1st John 5:19 holds these words, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."   I recall the first time I read those words as a new believer in Jesus. The newness of salvation was very real, and I had a deep sense of gratitude and humility to know that my many sins had been forgiven. Beyond that however, was the sense that now I was no longer living with a sense of futility and a pointless existence. Although I was newly saved, in my immaturity I knew what life, reality, the purpose for humanity was all about. God was real, and He had come to this world in the Person of Jesus Christ to seek out lost people like myself and grant us a place in His kingdom. It was a deep sense of relief, determination to follow, and an urgent drive to let others know about this marvelous possibility.
Then I came across these words in 1 John and the reality of what I had just read stunned me in a very dark way. I say dark because it was clear to me that the "whole world" means the whole world. It means that all the greatness this world produces, the great intellects, accomplishments, inventions and endeavors, all of it is in the grip of the evil one. The plans of this world and it's lofty goals and Utopian visions are nothing but the agency of rebellion against God, orchestrated by the enemy of God, the evil one, or Satan, the Adversary.  As far as I looked, there was bondage. As broad as I could think, there was delusion. Apart from Jesus Christ the whole world was in the grip of the evil one. It stunned me in such a way, that I had a very heavy and saddened heart for several days. Yet, it was all to real, and became more evident as I pondered those heavy words.
Today these words are still true, this world is the place of bondage and locus of corruption.  Yet, as I gradually began to come out of this funk back then, so we can find hope and the optimism of faith because of what Jesus has done. Bondage in this world is there, but so is the opportunity for liberation and freedom. Jesus has overcome this world, and the enemy of us all, the evil one. The realization of liberty and purpose is something that can break into our thoughts suddenly, or gradually dawn upon us as God the Holy Spirit brings us along His sovereign path.
If you have been dazed by a sense of futility and despair, that isn't all bad. Maybe it is God trying to show you the emptiness of the adversary's lie about what life is about. Perhaps He is getting you lost before getting you saved, increasing the darkness before shining the Light. The Light is Jesus. He desires to set you free from the bondage and corruption that this world is. Those dark times of life are not easy to live through. Yet, there is an end to them.  There is light at the end of those seasons. Put your faith and trust in Jesus, because the next verse after 1 John 5:19 declares this to you and me, " And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."  vs 20.  That is the light that will dissipate all the darkness of our souls. I'm forever grateful that He has granted me a measure of understanding in this reality. I hope you find the same, through Christ Jesus today!