WHAT TO EXPECT/1 JOHN 2:18-23
In our text today, John gives important information
to his original audience, and to us, as to what to
expect in the times in which we live. John, as a
skilled physician of the soul, wants us to know the
risks of living in a time called "the last
hour," and to find comfort to live in it. We
begin with ...
I) THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE–Vv.18-19
A) John addresses his original audience, as
before, with the endearing term of
"Children." He then tells them that the time
in which they live is call "the last hour."
He doesn’t tell them much about it, yet what he does
tell them is sufficient to warn them regarding what to
expect. Such knowledge will help them persevere
regardless of what happens. But, we can be sure that
John knew what Jesus taught about a future time of
difficulty for the church and the world in Matthew
24:5, 24. John had in mind Jesus’ teaching about
the time between His first and second comings.
B) What characterized this time is the rise
of many antichrists, all in anticipation of the one
antichrist to come. Before going on, it is important
to make a comment about the term
"antichrist." The term can mean "one
who stands against Christ," or "one who
stands in the place of Christ." John says that
there are "many antichrists," and this is
proof of living in "the last hour."
C) Who are these antichrists John refers to?
Verse 19 answers the question: those once a
part of the local congregation, but who now have left.
What comes to mind is Jesus’ teaching on the wheat
and tares found in Matthew 13:24-30. At issue
here is the theme of perseverance. John teaches us
that there is a process whereby God shows us, by the
actions of "professors of religion," that
they never were His regardless of their verbal
profession cf. Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 7:21-23.
John Calvin comments on this passage by saying,
"Future and final perseverance is the ultimate
test of a past participation in Christ." And,
what we read in Hebrews 3:14 is helpful.
D) Here’s how this all applies to us: 1)
We, too, live in "the last hour." Christ’s
return is closer today then when John wrote, and we
should expect the activities of antichrist to
increase. 2) We, too, should be prepared for
some to fall away from our fellowship. 3) We,
too, need to persevere to the end and thus prove our
calling and election to salvation. If you have been a
Christian any length of time, then you know of those
who once walked among us but now have turned away. So,
make your "calling and election sure" by
keeping your first love for Christ alive and well.
Next, we consider ...
II) WHAT CHARACTERIZES THOSE WHO WILL
PERSEVERE–Vv.20-21
A) John says that those who are truly of the
faith, by way of contrast to the mere
"professors," have "an anointing from
the Holy One." This anointing can be understood
as a special work of the Holy Spirit given to us by
Christ. And, this anointing by the Holy Spirit
confirms one’s privileged position, and gives them
the true knowledge of the truth.
B) John’s point is that the possession of
the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit keeps one from
believing a lie or promoting a lie. It is the ministry
of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of God and
Christ to His followers cf. John 14:16-17; 15:26;
16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. The possession of
the truth is the best weapon against falling prey to
those who would deceive, and it is the Holy Spirit
sent by the Holy One, Jesus Christ, who opens the
truth to us. If we are to possess the knowledge of the
truth, then we must possess the Holy Spirit, and such
possession is the gift given by God in salvation. Do
you know the truth, and has the truth set you free?
Then you possess the Holy Spirit and are protected
from the deceit of the antichrists. Let this be your
comfort in the midst of much false teaching today.
Now, we turn our attention to ...
III) A SOBERING REALITY–Vv.22-23
A) In these verses, John highlights who and
what he has in mind as regards truth vs. lies,
believers vs. nonbelievers. Those who are liars and
prove themselves to be nonbelievers are those who deny
that Jesus is the Christ ("Anointed One,"
"Messiah"). We are helped in our
understanding of what it means to deny Jesus as the
Christ by looking at 1 John 4:1-3. The denial
that John has in mind in our text is a denial that
Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. There were those
who taught that all flesh is evil, and only the spirit
is good. Therefore, they reasoned, Christ could not
have taken on flesh. But, John says that such a denial
exposes that a relationship with God, as Father, is
impossible. If one denies the Son’s true identity as
the God-Man, then they are denying that they have a
true relationship with Jesus’ Father. So, here’s
the sobering reality: What you believe about Jesus is
the difference between heaven and hell. It is the
difference between an eternity with God as an object
of His love, or an eternity as the object of God’s
wrath. So, if we don’t get Jesus right, then
everything else goes wrong. Without Jesus there is no
saving knowledge of the Father. You cannot profess to
have a relationship with God without a personal and
saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you got
Jesus right? Your eternal life depends on it!
