Against Christ
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Introduction
AG: What do antibiotics do?
They work against bacteria to slow or kill them and remove the infection.
We hear antibiotic and know what it means.
anti- opposite or against
biotic- relating to living things
Lit. opposing life (the bacteria not the patient)
TS: Our text today in 1 uses another “anti” word
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- final world ruler who opposes and is the opposite of Christ
Antichrist- one who opposes Christ
It is the next phrase which interests me most this morning. “so now many antichrists have come.”
This clearly isn’t referring to the final world ruler, but rather to many who oppose Christ and His work. Specifically, John is characterizing the false teachers who were misleading the congregations John was writing. Their false doctrine distorted the truth and opposed Christ.
Paul had warned the churches of such dangers.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
ac 20:28
By their presence, even in the 1st century, John says we know it is the last hour.
By their presence, even in the 1st century, John says we know it is the last hour.
We are in the final stage of human history. Sometime in the future, Christ will return to earth and His rule will be the final and eternal Kingdom on earth.
In the meantime, we are dealing with the antichrists.
In this discussion, John gives us characteristics which reveal people as in this category.
John has given us several characteristics of followers of Christ, now he spells out what those who oppose Christ are like. He is continuing to point out the contrast between the two.
RS: As we look at the behavior of those opposing christ, let us carefully look at ourselves. If we don’t remain on guard, it is easy for the flesh to pull us into that behavior.
1st mark of antichrists-
Antichrists Leave the Faithful
Antichrists Leave the Faithful
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.
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
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.
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.
The first mark is that of departure.
1 jn 2:
The first mark is that of departure.
They leave and thus reveal they were not really part of the church.
They withdraw and separate from the faithful followers of Christ.
Those who are leaders, lead others to go with them.
They arise from inside, like the wolves from Paul’s warning, and they take a group with them.
This verse also teaches perseverance of the saints.
True believers who have been born again, endure in faith and fellowship and teh turth
for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
They don’t become unsaved by their departure, they reveal they were never saved.
If you base your doctrine on observing people, you get this mixed up. To see someone who looks to be a brother or sister depart and fall into doctrinal error and/or apostasy, leads some to conclude they lost their salvation.
John teaches their departure reveled they never had it!
Christs’ followers have the Spirit as a defense
Only through His anointing are we safe!
He keeps us saved
He gives us endurance and discernment.
We know the truth and should not be easy prey for these ungodly predators.
Sticking with the faithful is a sign of the genuineness of our faith.
By His aid, we can spot the lies of the devil
He illuminates His word and grounds us in truth
Antichrists depart the faithful and the 2nd mark of antichrists-
Antichrists Deny the Faith
Antichrists Deny the Faith
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.
No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
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.
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.
No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
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.
No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
2-23
This is the heart of Satan’s attack
1 Jn 2:
In the Garden, he challenged Eve on what God had said.
When tempting Jesus, He misused Scripture
He still twists Scripture through antichrists to lead people astray.
Anytime I hear about a new “great preacher/author/musician/etc.” I find their website and examine their core beliefs.
If they get the “who is Jesus” wrong, they are wolves not sheep.
If they twist the Scripture to some self-serving end, run from them!
If they mislead about how one is born again, they are not our brother or sister.
Doctrine, that is the teachings, matter!
It must be from God’s word and not other source.
You can’t be a child of God and at the same time deny Jesus came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, died as a sacrifice for OUR sins, and rose again.
If you get that wrong, you are all the way wrong!
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.
And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
1 Jn 2:
John again contrasts the faithful.
The gospel we received must abide in us.
Eternal life springs from that seed planted when we recieved the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We were born again through it
We remain by it.
Why would we start looking for something more?
Antichrists depart the faithful, deny the faith and the 3rd mark of antichrists.
Antichrists Try to Deceive the Faithful
Antichrists Try to Deceive the Faithful
1 Jn 2:26
I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
John says it clearly, those opposing Christ are trying to deceive you.
Paul warned of the same thing in
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
It doesn’t matter what twist they put on it, false teachers preach doctrines of demons.
It doesn’t matter who well they can speak, how many books they sell, how big the crowds they gather, if they are trying to deceive, have nothing to do with them.
They are not content to be wrong alone, they try to deceive others.
Such Satanic charletains live for the lime lite.
Listen to anther way Paul describes the relationship between these false teachers and the deceived.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
We live in such times!
Antichrist, false teachers, are deceiving many today.
They are lining their pockets while spreading messages which people want to hear rather than the word of God which they need!
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.
Again, we have a defense from GOD
The Spirit teaches us a about everything
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to violate His word!
We are advised to abide in Him
Remain connected to the source of truth.
Stay in the Word
Listen to the Spirit
WE don’t have to be deceived!
Conclusion:
As John said, there are many antichrists in the world today. False teachers have left the faithful, deny the faith, and attempt to deceive others. Sadly, they have been very effective!
We have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and God’s word which has been proclaimed and taught to us. We do not need to be vulnerable to deceit! Stand on the truth!