The Pretenders
1 John 2:18-27
April 18, 2004
1 John 2:18 (NLT)
Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the end of the world has come.
The Last Hour
Time is drawing to a close
– Each day draws a step closer to Christ’s return
Live expectantly
Antichrist
Defined as: Any person, thing, doctrine, system, etc…opposed to Christ, the Holy Spirit and the spread of the gospel
Term is only found in John’s epistle
1 John 2:19 (NLT)
These people left our churches because they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left us, it proved that they do not belong with us.
Outward Appearances
Had been actively involved in the fellowship of the church
Had professed Christ
Their departure and their actions testified to the condition of their heart
1 John 2:20-21 (NLT)
But you are not like that, for the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and all of you know the truth. [21] So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and falsehood.
Enlightened
The Holy Spirit anoints us with understanding
Truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him."
[10] But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets.
Examine All Teaching
Compare what is taught against what is revealed by the Holy Spirit through scripture – Acts 17:11
Acts 17:11
And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.
1 John 2:22-23
And who is the great liar? The one who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Such people are antichrists, for they have denied the Father and the Son. [23] Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father either. But anyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.
Antichrists Identified
Labeled as a “liar”
Denies that Jesus is the Son of God
Denies the humanity of Jesus
It is impossible to have a relationship with God apart from Jesus – John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
1 John 2:24-25
So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. [25] And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.
Stay The Course
Don’t deviate from true teaching
Question all teaching for consistency with scripture
Reject all false teaching
1 John 2:26-27
I have written these things to you because you need to be aware of those who want to lead you astray. [27] But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.
**Powerpoint available on request
