1 John 2:18-23

1 John 2:18-23

It is not uncommon for believers to become fixated on the “when” of Christ's Second Coming. Many scour the scriptures trying to find clues as to when he will return. This passage is often misused that way, when it is not the point. The point is how we ought to live in anticipation of His return.

John uses a phrase found nowhere else in the New Testament: “last hour.” In the original language there was no definitive article; it was not ‘the last hour’ but simply “last hour.” This is the marking of a critical season. The idea is that of a period of suffering and hardship and struggle that precedes Divine Glory. John was not anticipating Christ's return immediately but rather hardship before that return. If written before the destruction of Jerusalem, he may have been referring to that event. But the event is less important than the conduct of the believers.

In popular culture and media, the term Antichrist is applied to a character that is expected at the end of time. Not so with John. Antichrist is anyone who teaches doctrines or behaviors that oppose Christ. These false teachers lead the faithful Christian astray. They arise from within the community of the church. They form splinter groups and then leave the faith, and in rejecting the truth, they show that they were not the people of God. Satan's twofold attack works and close cooperation. First, there is pressure making it difficult to be a disciple, and second, he offers an alternative faith system that isn't persecuted but will give a religious element to life. Satan is equally pleased with the believer who converts to false faith as with the one who leaves and has no faith at all.

Thankfully we are not going it alone. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and direct us. By scripture, what is written, He will reinforce our standing in the truth. The fundamental doctrines of the faith are that Jesus is Lord and Son of God, eternally begotten by the Father before all creation, very God of very God, begotten not made. For us and our salvation, He became human by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He was crucified, died, was buried, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again and judge the living and the dead. Because there is salvation in no other name except Christ, all who reject Him are liars and Antichrists. They deny both the Father and the Son.

“Lord, help me stay faithful to the truth no matter the cost. AMEN”