WE KNOW THE DAYS ARE COMING
And they are here now!
1 John 2:18-27
INTRODUCTION: God never meant our Bibles to be stuck in one or even two scopes of time. God meant them to have a three-fold impact on our lives. Yes, there is quite a bit of history, biblical history in the Scriptures. There are powerful principles for daily living in our Bibles. Principles that will (not just can) change our lives. Yet, Scripture also has a forward dynamic to it. God has warned us through the truth of the Word of God that the days ahead pose dangers for believers. Up to the time we are all whisked away from this old world in the rapture of the church.
In our text this morning, John is taking the time to combine two of these scopes of time – the present and the future. Make no mistake, though, it is a warning. A warning concerning the future, and the present
I DILIGENCE IN THE LAST HOUR – 1 JOHN 2:18-20
A The time of the last hour is now
B The last hour requires our diligence
1 Need to be alert to the traits of the anti-Christ
2 “last hour” means midnight hour. Almost time for the next day
3 Closer we get to midnight, the more it is the time for the anti-Christ.
4 The closer we get to the midnight hour the more numerous the fore-runners of the anti-Christ are.
C The identity of the anti-Christ
1 John is not speaking of a specific person – no direct article
a Literally The word means either “instead of Christ” or “against Christ”
2 Thes. 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
b One who opposes Christ in the guise of Christ
1) One who sets himself, or herself above or in place of Christ
2) The connection, as we will see in a few moments concerns the core truth of Scripture
D The origin of anti-Christ: -- verse 19
1 They went out from us
a Professors
b Never possessors
c How many of our churches today are churches only in name because the leadership does not know Christ.
d Jesus said it best …
Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
2 Did not really belong with us
Matthew 13:25-30 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27"The owner’s servants came to him and said, ’Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28" ’An enemy did this,’ he replied. "The servants asked him, ’Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29" ’No,’ he answered, ’because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ "
a Got in because we were asleep
b They get out because truth reveals wrong
c Cause confusion and trouble when they leave
d Will be with us to the end
II DILIGENCE IN THE PRESENT DAY – 1 John 2:20-21
A Confidence in God’s protection
1 An anointing from the spirit of God
a The word anointing means “smearing and ointment on”
b Like protection sun block provides from the sun
2 God’s protection is an assurance against those in the guise of Christ
B Confidence in the work of God’s Spirit
1 Purpose of God’s anointing is to know the truth
a Does not mean we will know everything – just ask any school age child here this morning who went through finals
b Does mean that we have the ability to relate any task to the truth
1) God communicates truth through Jesus
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2) God communicates truth through his Word
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
2 The Purpose of God’s Anointing is discern truth
a When you know what is true you are able to discern what is not
b Remember – Heresy claims the church as its root
1) Ultimately deny the core truth of Christianity
2) Adjust the core truth of Christianity
C Confidence in the core truth of Christianity
1 The Deity of Christ – He is God
2 The Sinlessness of Christ – He is the acceptable sacrifice
3 The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – He has completed the work – God’s justice is satisfied
4 The lordship of Christ – He sits at the right hand of God; He executes judgment, and makes intercession for us
5 The return of Christ – He is coming back!
III THE MARKS OF ANTICHRIST – 1 John 2:22-23,26
A One who make a habit of denying Christ – verses 22-23
1 Deny is present tense – meaning they are always doing it
2 In doing so they deny the image of God in scripture
3 In doing so they deny the entire New Testament
4 Impossible to be right with God and not right with Jesus
B One who leads you away from Christ – verse 26
1 You can be acceptable to God some other way
2 Reject the responsibility of the gospel
3 Present tense – leading astray is always happening
a Need to be on constant guard
b If God sent his son to the cross as the only way of salvation, do you really think He would let us in some other way?
IV THE MARK OF A BELIEVER – 1 John 2:23,26
A Having the Father
1 “an abiding, living, personal fellowship with God
B Having the truth
1 Remain – “take root/abide in you
C The confidence of eternal life
