Worldliness

If we are to assume that this civilization in which we now live is the fifth empire, the millennial kingdom, then what are we to do with the concept of worldliness? At the time of the new testament writings, the fourth empire [Rome] was the world, and worldliness meant doing things as the Romans did - rule through fear, lust, greed, and generally just plain old self interest.

But what about now? Take a look around you. Take a look at your roads and schools and hospitals and cars and computers and laws and freedoms. Do you honestly think this all happened through the worldliness of selfish people? God used Babylon as a stick to whack Isreal "upside the head". Don't you think he's running the show now [in spite of all the same selfish people]?
I'm not talking about any one nation - I'm talking about this Empire that Christ has built through people "infected" with His Spirit and the fruit of that spirit - is
" love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

And regarding those who are not "infected", He also is reining with an iron rod:

Rev 19v15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron ; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty."

so anyway, if Satan is no longer ruler of this world, but Christ is then we have to be careful with what we consider "worldliness".

Someone [maybe Adrian Rogers?] defined worldliness as anything that makes sin appear normal. I like that. But what about those that assist their ministries with successful business models? Is that worldliness?

I have to go to sleep now, but I'll return to this question, the answer to which I think can be found in 2Peter:

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.