Children, it is the last hour

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. ²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. ²¹ I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. ²⁴ As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

There are a number of different things that stand out in this brief portion of scripture. Let's begin with John statement which says "it is the last hour". Many doubters, skeptics and unbelievers point out the fact that these early followers of Christ believed that His return was going to happen soon and now 2000 years later we are still expecting Jesus to return. Peter addressed this sentiment in his letter to the church. 2 Peter 3:  Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? ...⁸ But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

So let the doubters doubt and the mockers mock but hold fast to the promise we have of the soon return of Christ. These are the last days. It is not ours to know the exact day of Jesus return. Jesus Himself says in Matthew 24:36  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  We are simply to get ready. 

Let's look briefly at this idea that antichrist is coming and antichrists have come. Just as John says here both are true. Men are continually try to identify the antichrist. We can read in Revelation that there will indeed be one who rises as the embodiment of the antichrist. This one will, as a false savior point people toward satan rather than God. That is certainly another study for another time. What John is trying to make us aware of is that there is and always has been those who rise up in the spirit of antichrist. The word Christ means savior, deliverer, Messiah. Jesus fulfills the scriptural prophecies of the coming Messiah, from His human lineage, to His birthplace and where He lived.  There are over 300 Messianic prophecies found in scripture, all of which Jesus fulfills. He is the Christ. The spirit of antichrist is simply anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ. I certainly don't think we should go around calling people antichrist, but in truth those who deny Christ are of that spirit.

John continues his exhortation to us with this.

²⁶ These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

This anointing which you received from Him, is the Holy Spirit, which as the verse tells us abides in us. The Holy Spirit within us is the most reliable teacher we can ever have. As John says He teaches us about all things and is true. When we hear a teaching from a man or woman that doesn't sound right, it probably isn't. Many of these false teachings that are prevelant today either leave out a part of the truth or add to it. The Holy Spirit will teach us truth. Jesus says ⁶ Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.(John 14:6) This is not a popular statement in our inclusive culture and mindset that would teach many ways. It is not ours to justify or convince others. Paul writes this in 1 Corithians 1:18. ¹⁸ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

This is the last hour. Again we don't know whether that means Jesus will return today, this year or in the next 10 years. But we know He is coming. We need to hold onto and continue in the truth as it is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. The best thing we can do for those around us who do not believe is not to debate and try to prove we are right, but rather to live our lives in Christ as a living testimony to the power of the cross and the new life we have in and through Christ. We should pray that the same Holy Spirit who abides in us will reveal truth to them. Jesus is Truth.

A revelation of Christ is the best and only  answer to the spirit of antichrist.