PROVISION FOR PROTECTION "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:18-19) -- Tomorrow:
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29)
Devotion 6 of
This is a text that unveils life in Jesus is not all pleasant.
As we enter into a consideration of this passage, we must labor to free ourselves from the grip of religious tradition. Too, we must vigorously avoid any temptation to ignore the passage because it is not popular, or conflicts with certain theological views. Words like "antichrist," "antichrists," and "last hour" are to be allowed entrance into our thoughts and meditations. The very spirit of this text cries out of importance. We dare not ignore it.
THE LAST HOUR
Twice in the eighteenth verse the Spirit affirms, "it is the last hour," or "last time" (KJV). The word "last" comes from the word from which the word "eschatology" is derived. Theologically speaking, eschatology is the study of "last things." The word literally means the end, the farthest point, and the last state (Thayer). This is the final period of time.
By this expression, the Spirit means to awaken us to the realization that time is running out. We do not have time to become involved with the world. This is the time to "to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Rom 13:11). He will show us that the very things that cause some to fear should cause us to awake.
Crucify the temptation to view "last hour," or "last time" as a mere description of the time from Jesus' ascension until the end of the world. That is far too simplistic, and brings no honor to God. It has done more to justify the lethargy of professed believers than to awaken sensitivity in the elect. It is generally understood that this expression, "last days" views the closing period of time in which the saints of God are assaulted with unparalleled Satanic energy. I concur with this view.
This is language addressed to faith, and shows us the utter unreasonableness of culturing an appetite for the passing things of this world. He has just told us that the world and its lusts are passing away. Now He reminds us that we are even in the last stage of the demise of the seen realm. Remember, these words came from John, but, strictly speaking, they were not his words. These are the words of the Holy Spirit, who moved John to write them. They are spoken to the heart, not the intellect. They teach us that the next significant thing is the coming of the Lord and the passing of this world, together with its lusts. We are to adjust our hearts and minds to this fact, remembering we have received "a kingdom that cannot be shaken" (Heb 12:27).
When we keep in mind that we have come into the realm of eternal things, the fact that centuries have passed since these words were written will be of little consequence to us. The passing of time must not be allowed to erode the power of these words. The saints of God are to conduct their lives as though today were their last day on the earth. To live any other way puts one into jeopardy.
ANTICHRIST
This word is found only in First John – and it is found there no less than five times (2:18,22; 4:3; 2 John 7). It is not difficult to identify the meaning of the word. It means against Christ, an opponent of Christ. In particular, it means one who opposes Christ in the guise of Christ (Vincent's Word Studies). In this sense, the word differs from the expression "false Christs" (Matt 24:24; Mark 13:22). "False Christs" emphasizes those in question are primarily pretenders or deceivers. The word "antichrist" highlights their specific opposition to Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me to be so sensitive in my spirit that I can detect any person, thought, system, or influence that is set to oppose the Christ.