Page 73 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

Well, the last hour (or last days as some letters say) is the period between the
first coming of Jesus Christ and the second coming of Jesus Christ (Acts 217;
Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:20). The antichrists will come and they were there already.
Who were these? Is it the great antichrist figure described in 2 Thessalonians
2:3-5; Revelation 13:1-6? I think John identifies the former members of the
Christian community as antichrists. These were among them but eventually went out from among them
because in the first place, they did not belong to God (or have never been in the fellowship with God the
Father and God the Son). Do you think you are one of those?

The third safety measure for the preservation of the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is
being aware of the antichrists (vv20-28). Apostle John differentiates his dear children with the strong
adversative, “but.” Unlike those, his audience have an anointing from the Holy One. The Holy One here
possibly refers to Jesus Christ who removes and purifies from all sins (cf. 1 John 2:1-2; John 6:69). John
had already mentioned Christ Jesus as the righteous one (see 1 John 2:1-2). That anointing is possibly
symbolic of the Holy Spirit. They (dear children or dear friends) can attest to the veracity of John’s
writings because they know the truth and that no lie is found in the truth. But those who lie (signifying
that they are in the darkness) are those who deny that Jesus is Christ.

Combined with other John’s statements found in 1 John 4:2-3, 15; 5:1, 6-8, apostle John clarified the
nature of antichrists’ teaching; denial that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, God’s Son, who came in the flesh
and whose death was real and on behalf of everyone. Some have labeled this teaching as Docetism. this
is the belief that Jesus Christ only appeared to be but He did not add a human nature to Himself. Such
denial of Jesus’ incarnation clearly shows that you are an antichrist who has also denied God the Father
and God the Son. The moment you begin to believe that Jesus Christ had never added a human nature
to Himself, at that very moment, you begin to get away from the protective care and sustenance of God.
Their salvation (our salvation) hinges on the fact that Jesus Christ became flesh (see John 1:14). Amen.

As for John’s dear children, John encouraged them to see to it that they continue to be nourished and
savor what they have heard from the beginning. If what they have heard from the beginning remain in
them, they will also remain in God the Son and God the Father. And the promise of God the Father to
such people is eternal life. On 1 John 2:26-27, John R. W. Stott explains very well.

Here, then, are the two safeguards against error—the apostolic Word and the anointing Spirit (cf. Isa.
59:21). Both are received at conversion. . . The Word is an objective safeguard, while the anointing of
the Spirit is a subjective experience; but both the apostolic teaching and the heavenly teacher are
necessary for continuance in the truth. And both are to be personally and inwardly grasped. This is the
biblical balance which is too seldom preserved. Some honor the Word and neglect the Spirit who alone
can interpret it; others honor the Spirit but neglect the Word out of which he teaches. The only
safeguard against lies is to have remaining within us both the Word that we heard from the beginning
and the anointing that we received from him. It is by these old possessions, not by new teachings or
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teachers, that we shall remain in the truth.

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