Anti-antichrist Armor 1 John 2:18-24
Review/Introduction
John wrote to the believers of His day in order to encourage them in their relationship with God.
He spoke of a relationship that develops beyond initial faith. He referred to those who don’t really know God at all; unbelievers. He referred to those who are believers but have a shallow relationship with God. He wrote to encourage a deeper relationship with God. Know, abide, be in, fellowship. He encouraged ways establish and maintain an intimate relationship. Perhaps they could even be considered tests of genuine relationship with God.
• Continually walk (live) in the Light 1:6-7
• Continually confess sin 1:8-10
• Rely on your advocate 2:1-2
• Give attention to His instructions 2:3-6
• Love one another (don’t hate) 2:7-11
• Keep growing in your relationship 2:12-14
• Stop preferring the world and its stuff 2:15-17
Before John issued the next instruction, he provided a context for his encouragement and instruction. John exposed a group of people who had at one time aligned with the community of apostles and true followers of Christ. This group believed that they were divinely anointed with a superior knowledge beyond the common believer or even the apostles. They even initiated the “enlightened” of their group by a symbolic anointing with oil signifying the attainment of this elevated state of super knowledge. It soon became clear that their knowledge and teaching was most definitely not of God or from God. The Gnostics, from the Greek word for “knowledge”, believed that they possessed some superior knowledge and that nothing else mattered.
Knowledge was the ultimate pursuit. John called them Antichrists and liars due to their blatant denial of the true nature of Jesus. This group of false teachers eventually disassociated themselves from the apostles and true followers of Christ. It appears that they still tried to perpetuate their deceptive teaching and to draw more followers to themselves. John included this section of the letter to encourage the true believers confused by the departure of people they thought were fellow believers. He exposed the true nature of the antichrist’s bogus relationship with God. He also took the time to expose the false teaching and character of those who had left. Finally, he told them how they could avoid being influenced by such people and their teaching.
8. Beware of the Antichrist 2:18-28
a) The prophesied antichrist has already appeared 2:18-19
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 2:18
Even though John can be pretty black-and-white, he demonstrated the tenderness of a loving father all through his letter. He addressed them as children; a word indicating a young learner.
Perhaps this was also a reminder of the fact that they were God's special children as well.
We will encounter this emphasis at the beginning of chapter 3. He informed them that it was the "last hour". That's a pretty long hour given we are now some 2000 years beyond John's initial observation. Most likely John used this term to indicate the time between the first coming of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus. Jesus’ work on the cross ushered in the last days. Jesus’ first coming also marked the beginning of the "passing away" of Satan's world system.
From the moment Christ entered human history we find those who opposed him. John alone uses the term Antichrist. In this passage he acknowledged that prophecy points to an ultimate Antichrist in the final days. But John also recognizes that opposition to Christ and his kingdom was a present reality. John acknowledged that many such antichrists had already appeared on the scene. In fact, there had even been some among their fellowship. John taught that there are Antichrists in principle here and now and a future Antichrist in person. The term antichrist coined by John is fairly simple. It is the preposition “anti” which can mean “against” or “instead of” and the word Christ. The term obviously indicates opposition to Christ. Anti-Christ opposes Christ and all He represents. The term can also indicate "instead of". John reminded his readers that they had already heard about the fact that the Antichrist was coming. Scripture informs us that opposition to Christ will increase in the last days culminating in the appearance of an actual person. Although not called by that name, Scripture identifies a future world leader most likely indwelt by Satan himself that will lead the final rebellion before the second coming of Christ in glory.
• Daniel described the “little horn” of the “king of fierce countenance” – Dan 7:24, 25; 8:23-25.
• Jesus spoke of those who would claim to be Christ (the instead of) – Matt 24:5,23-24
• Paul called him the “man of lawlessness” or “man of sin”. 1 Thess 2:3-4, 8-10
• John identified him in Revelation as the “beast” in Rev 13:1; 17:1-18.
So John acknowledged that his readers had already heard of the Antichrist and warned them concerning the spirit of the Antichrist already functioning and even previously part of their fellowship. Anytime someone leaves the fellowship it creates anxiety and confusion. John exposed the real reason that those particular people broke fellowship.
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 2:19
They didn't hang around because they were not true believers. I believe these people did not just go from one church fellowship to another, but separated from the community of faith altogether and started their own thing. John affirmed that not one of them that denied the true nature of Jesus who left, were ever of them. Notice how many times John used “us” emphasizing the importance of the unique nature and unity of Christ’s followers.
b) The believer has a special anointing 2:20-21
In the next two verses, John sought to encourage the true followers of Christ who had been made to feel like second-class citizens by those who left.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 1 John 2:20
Anointing in the Scriptures referred to affirmation of God’s call to ministry be it civil or spiritual, special gifting, special privilege. The term only appears three times in the New Testament. It appears here. Luke used the term in reference to the fact that Jesus was anointed for ministry. Paul used it in 2 Corinthians
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Remember, the Gnostics claimed a super knowledge; a special anointing resulting in special insight. John informed his readers that, contrary to some special anointing claimed by the Antichrists, they in fact did have a special anointing from God resulting in an intuitive knowledge of the truth about Christ. God provides all believers with an internal witness.
John identified the source of the believer's anointing as from the "Holy One" which could be a reference to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Father himself.
Now John makes the promise to us that we are anointed by God Himself. God is the one who has confirmed and sealed His people and therefore these Christians do not need to seek out other anointings in order to be equipped for their age. I believe that John has consciously and wisely confronted the most pernicious temptation of the false teachers to the young Christians who are now in danger. The false teachers will offer to the Christians a new and different “anointing” which is only available to those who will submit to the secrets and special teaching of the teachers. The young Christians are tempted because almost everyone wants more spiritual authority or strength if there is more to be had. The Greek-Roman mystery cults had many special anointings to offer, and now what these Christians face is the temptation of special anointings but from a supposedly Christian source.
The Holy Spirit's job is to bear witness to the truth; especially the truth concerning the nature of Christ. John appealed to this intuitive knowledge and wrote to draw attention to it.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:21
He writes to them, not because they did not know the truth, but because they did. Westcott puts it in this way: "The object of the apostle in writing was not to communicate fresh knowledge, but to bring into active and decisive use the knowledge which his readers already possessed." The greatest Christian defense is simply to remember what we know. What we need is not new truth, but that the truth which we already know become active and effective in our lives.
—Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)
John also affirmed this truth later in this passage.
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 1 John 2:27
Jesus pointed to this Ministry of the Holy Spirit as well.
"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:12-15
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26
Paul talked about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in affirming our Sonship.
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16
Paul talked about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in revealing God’s spiritual blessing.
but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12
The person called antichrist is coming. The principle of the antichrist is already opposing Christ. They were among us but disassociated from us because they weren't of us. You know the truth through the witness of the Holy Spirit who lives in you.
c) The antichrist opposes the true nature of Christ 2:22-23
What is the specific purpose and teaching of the Antichrist? John exposed it by sharing at least four characteristics of the Antichrist. Their teaching opposes Christ at His very nature.
Any teaching that denies the true nature of Jesus as revealed in Scripture is Antichrist.
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22
(1) Denied the deity of Jesus
Jesus is not the Christ; Messiah; promised Savior; Emmanuel. The current teaching was that the Christ came on Jesus at baptism and left at the crucifixion.
Therefore Jesus was not the Christ.
(2) Denied the unity of Jesus and the Father
These false teachers refused to accept the truth that Jesus and the Father were one.
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23
(3) Denied the humanity of Jesus
This specific characteristic of the Antichrist is found in Chapter 4 and again in 2 john 1:7.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 2 John 1:7
The Jews in general, and the Gnostics in particular, denied the miraculous conception of Jesus; with both he was accounted no more than a common man, the son of Joseph and Mary. But the Gnostics held that a Divine person, Aeon, or angelical being, dwelt in him; but all things else relative to his miraculous generation and Divinity they rejected. These were antichrists, who denied Jesus to be the Christ.—Adam Clarke's Commentary
These false views of Christ continue today. Any teaching that denies any one of these basic foundational truths concerning the nature of Christ is not Christian but Antichrist. Many recognize the existence of Jesus but deny the eternity of Jesus. Many will admit that Jesus was a great person but not the promised Messiah.
To deny that He is the Christ is to deny Him because He Himself claimed to be the Christ.
We may say that there are three New Testament confessions of Jesus. There is the confession that he is the Son of God (Matt 16:16; Jn 9:35-38); there is the confession that he is Lord (Php 2:11); and there is the confession that he is Messiah (1Jn 2:22). The essence of every one of them is the affirmation that Jesus stands in a unique relationship to God; and to deny that relationship is to deny the certainty that everything Jesus said about God is true. The Christian faith depends on the unique relationship of Jesus to God. John is, therefore, right; the man who denies the Son has lost the Father, too. —Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)
During the latter half of the first century, John exposed the heresy of Gnostic teachers, among whom was an Egyptian Jew named Cerinthus. This person denied Jesus’ virgin birth and claimed that the Christ descended upon Jesus at the time of Jesus’ baptism but left him before Jesus died.
John wrote not merely for his contemporary readers but also for the church universal. In the second century Marcion denied the Son of God, and in the next century Arius and Sabellius did the same. In every century and every age, men refuse to acknowledge the Christ of the Scriptures. Some deny the virgin birth, the resurrection, the ascension, and the promise of Jesus’ return. Others distinguish between Jesus of Nazareth and the exalted Christ. And still others reject either his divinity or his humanity. In short, everyone who repudiates the biblical teaching that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of man deceives himself and, according to John, is a liar.
(4) Deceived the Saints
These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 1 John 2:26
The consequence of denying the deity, unity and humanity of Jesus is an adversarial relationship with the Father.
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father
You cannot be Antichrist and pro-father since the Father and the Son are one.
d) The believer has protection against the Antichrist 2:24-28
What is our protection against false teaching? Scripture offers a number of things but I will focus on the things that John mentions in his letter. John encouraged the strengthening of the relationship with God that he had been encouraging all along with three things.
(1) Allow the truth to abide in you (anointing) 2:24
John affirmed that the one who confesses the Son also has relationship with father.
the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
He then instructed them to allow to remain in them what they heard from the beginning.
As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.
John instructed them to allow the truth that they heard from the beginning, affirmed by the anointing also received at the beginning, to continue to fortify the soul. The concept of truth being in us conveys the idea that truth dictates our way of life; it controls how we think and act.
He spoke of the young men in the body just previously and how the word was strong in them.
The only protection from false teaching is continual exposure, embracing and application of the truth. 2 John 1:7-11
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. James 1:21-22
The word of God is like a seed whose truth implanted in the soul bears the fruit of that truth.
Every passage of Scripture has a purpose. Paul told Timothy that all Scripture comes from God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteous living so that we may be the two are equipped for every good work of ministry. God gives teachers so that we might not be carried away by every teaching. People get deceived today because they have not allowed the truth that they received to remain to the point where it actually transforms their life.
Only the truths of Scripture can renew our minds and bring about such transformation.
John warned about Antichrists during his time and those same Antichrists continue their devil assigned mission to oppose Christ and his purposes today.
Beware!!
They don’t always look like they oppose Jesus. They could be in the church. They could have a television presence. Any teaching that does not keep Christ as the absolute focal point and reason for living, bears the spirit of the Antichrist. Any teaching that does not keep Christ first place reinforces the teaching of the antichrist. The beast and the false prophet will perform miracles and deceive many.
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:18
In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:8-10
In the last days there will be those who are antichrist in the sense of “instead of” but who actually oppose Him by usurping His place. There will be those who bring glory to themselves.
There will be those who come as Angels of light. John affirmed the power of the word to protect us.
As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 1 John 2:24
Not only is the word implanted able to protect us but it also enables us to abide which we will take up next week.
• Seek the truth.
• Embrace and implant the truth.
• Live the truth.
