Living in the Last Hour
Remain in the Anointing
1 John 2:18-27
In the days we live in, with a desire to walk in the light and live by the truth, it is critical to be able to identify who is “real” and who are “antichrists,” so that we are not led astray. We must be on guard!
Keep watch:
1. Antichrists will distance themselves from those who walk in the light (vs. 18-20)
- Antichrist = “against Christ” or “in place of Christ.” Anyone who denies Christ, is hostile towards God, and opposes the Gospel is an antichrist.
- “Last Hour” = the entire period of time between the birth of Christ (His first coming) and His future return (His second coming) (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pt. 1:20; Heb. 1:2; 2 Pt. 3:3)
- Perseverance is evidence of the genuineness of our faith (cf. Mt. 24:12-13; Jn. 8:31; Col. 1:21-23; Heb. 3:14)
In the last hour, “let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25). Collective and corporate worship is vital to staying on guard.
- Remaining in fellowship is evidence that you are real and genuinely belong.
2. Antichrists deny the truth and are liars (vs. 20-24)
- “Anyone who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” (cf. 1 Jn. 2:4). Antichrists fail the fundamental tests of right doctrine and right living.
- What distinguishes us as being “real” (having genuine fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ) is we “have an anointing from the Holy One,” the gift of the Holy Spirit (vs. 20a) (cf. Eph. 1:13-14)
- The Holy Spirit will guard us from deception and lies, and guides us into all truth (cf. 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Jn. 16:12-14; 14:26)
What are you doing to ensure that the Word of God is remaining in you? (Cf. Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:14-15).
- Remaining in the Word is evidence that you are real and genuinely belong (cf. Jn. 8:31-32).
3. Antichrists try to deceive the faithful into believing and following their lies (vs. 26-27)
- The Word and the Spirit must be what we rely on and remain in as we walk in the light, living by the truth. The Word and the Spirit will always agree.
- All teaching should be measured by whether it lines up with the inspired, inerrant, written Word of God (cf. Acts. 17:11)
- We remain in the Spirit by obeying the Spirit’s word (the Scriptures). To obey is to remain.
To avoid being deceived and following lies, persevere in your fellowship with Christ, through the Holy Spirit, making sure that “what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.”
- Remaining in the Holy Spirit is evidence that you are real and genuinely belong.
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