1 John 2:18-29
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We have discussed two conflicts presented by 1 John so far...
Light and darkness (1 John 1-2:6)
Love and hatred (1 John 2:7-17)
Ask class to give insights regarding both conflicts.
It is not enough to walk in light and love… we must also walk in truth.
We have to know what we believe. John is going to help us understand why it is important for us to dial in what we know to be true...
18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
What does it mean to live in the last hour?
This is referring to a kind of time not a duration of time..
We have to remember that God works in human time but is also above time.
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
We do know that this “last hour” grows in intensity.
This is a time we have always been living in since the ascension of Jesus.
This is a great reminder of the totality of God’s redemptive plan.
The enemy is at work but during this last hour God is working his redemptive plan...
This isn’t just the redemption of souls, but the redemption of His entire kingdom!
John is making sure we are aware of this because there is immanent danger...
18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
The antichrist.
Before we continue, know this-
We are not about to drift into a conversation of conspiracy theories.
We are also not going to drift into the “end times.” Like I said, we are in them...
We are going to only stick to what the text says...
When you hear the word antichrist, what comes to mind?
Antichrist is a term used by John to describe three things....
Spirit in the world that opposes or denies Christ
False spirits who embody this spirit
A person who will head up a final world rebellion against Christ
The prefix ANTI in the greek literally means “to be against”
This spirit of the antichrist is here today… it will come in an appearance in the end.
So, to conclude the basic introduction of this section, we can pinpoint two forces working in the world leading up to the transition into verse 19.
Truth is working through the church by the Holy Spirit
Evil is working through the energy (efforts) of Satan
In order to help us discern these times, John gives us...
3 marks of a false teacher controlled by the Spirit of the Antichrist.
3 marks of a false teacher controlled by the Spirit of the Antichrist.
1. He will depart from the fellowship
1. He will depart from the fellowship
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
Who is “us” referring to?
Fellowship of the believers, the church.
Define Church — local church and universal body of Christ
Those who have been saved (they bear evidence of the presence of the Spirit)
Is it possible to be a part of a local church, but not the body of Christ?
Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12
Yes it is! This is a very important thing to recognize!
The only way they were able to leave us is if they were with us!
*One of the evidences of a true christian life is when one desires to be with the people of God.
Fellowship implies there is something in common
Do you miss the body of Christ when you are not present?
I struggle to validate the maturity of a believer when they do not value the regular gathering of believers...
Do you know what 75% of our staff conversations are about?
Not reaching the lost, but retaining the commitment of our own people...
Imagine what we could accomplish if our members just said yes...
2. He will deny the faith
2. He will deny the faith
20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
Answer this...
Who is Jesus?
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Truth or Consequences (1 John 2:18–29)
But John points out that all true Christians know God and have received the Spirit of God! And because they have believed the truth, they recognize a lie when they meet it.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Truth or Consequences (1 John 2:18–29)
The great assertion of the faith that sets a Christian apart from others is this: Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh (1 John 4:2).
A real christian is one whose confession is in not only what Christ has done but who He is.
Fully God, Fully man
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Truth or Consequences (1 John 2:18–29)
George Whitefield, the great British evangelist, was speaking to a man about his soul. He asked the man, “Sir, what do you believe?”
“I believe what my church believes,” the man replied respectfully.
“And what does your church believe?”
“The same thing I believe.”
“And what do both of you believe?” the preacher inquired again.
“We both believe the same thing!” was the only reply he could get.
A man is not saved by assenting to a church creed. He is saved by trusting Jesus Christ and bearing witness to his faith (Rom. 10:9–10).
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
The christian life continues as it began- through the word of God.
The biggest issue with this is that the antichrists are not just concerned with their following, but are trying to convert others as well!
3. He will attempt to deceive the faithful
3. He will attempt to deceive the faithful
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
We cannot accept everything we hear regarding “the faith.”
How do we discern?
By the anointing of the Spirit...
Why do you think some christians are led astray?
Because they are not abiding in the Spirit.
To abide means to remain in fellowship.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Truth or Consequences (1 John 2:18–29)
You abide in Christ by believing the truth, obeying the truth, and loving other Christians—“the brethren.” Obedience—love—truth. If you are a believer and find yourself out of fellowship with God, it is because you have disobeyed His Word, lacked love for a brother, or believed a lie. The solution is to confess your sin instantly and to claim God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Are you currently abiding in Christ?
Do you, or your family, desire the fellowship of the local body of Christ?
Is there anyone you are harboring hatred towards that you need to express love to?