PROVISION FOR PROTECTION "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23) -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 12 of 30
WHAT MAY BE SAID OF THE LIAR?
Who is "the liar" – the one denying that "Jesus is the Christ?" The strength of what is declared unveils the greatness of the transgression.
HE IS ANTICHRIST
"He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son." I have scarcely heard or read a dialog on "the antichrist" that made this point. Such a person is against Christ. He has taken up arms against the Lord's anointed, just as surely as Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel (Acts 4:26-27). When the One God has appointed is not afforded the honor due to Him, a war against Him is initiated. Such a person is against Christ! He may speak kindly of Jesus, but he is against him. He may profess allegiance to Him, but he is against Him. The one who denies Jesus the preeminence is Christ's foe – and he will surely fall.
A most significant thing can be seen here. While the KJV and NKJV do not use the article "the" (i.e., THE antichrist), that IS how the verse actually reads. The Greek has the article, reading "THE antichrist."Other versions do read "This is the antichrist" (ASV, NASB, RSV, NRSV, NIV, Darby's, Young's Literal, BBE). The omission of the article "the" by the older versions is not wrong. The reading still indicates the same thing. It is similar to saying "he is Jonathan." That statement would not mean the person was simply A Jonathan, but that he was THE Jonathan being considered.
This constrains us to think quite differently about the term "antichrist." Rather than associating it with a period of time, it is seen in direct relationship to our Savior Himself. Try as one may, he cannot rid the Bible of this statement. It is a clear definition of the word – an INSPIRED definition.
Also, we should learn from this not to limit the term to a single historical person. One might site 1 John 2:18 to confirm that the coming of a single individual is also chronicled in this Epistle. "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come . . . " However, this text does not use the article "the," either in the Greek or most standard English translations. The only exception to this rule are the NKJV, NIV and Young's. All other versions omit the definite article "the" (ASV, NASB, RSV, NRSV, Websters, Darby's, Phillips, NEB). The difference is that the word "antichrist" is more descriptive of AN ACTIVITY than of a person. It is a TRAIT that characterized "many," as is categorically stated in verse 18.
HE DENIES THE FATHER AND THE SON
Whether we are speaking of the Gnostic heresy of the first century, or the falling-away heresies of our day, you cannot deny Christ without denying the Father also. You cannot refuse to give Jesus prominence without severing association with the Father! Those who do not honor the Son do not honor the One who sent Him. As it is written, "That all men should honor the Son, even AS they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent Him" (John 5:23). You simply cannot refuse the One God sent without refusing God Himself. Those who refuse Jesus in the capacity to which He has been exalted, yet claim to be associated with Him, are actually antichrists.
HAS NOT THE FATHER
The Spirit presses the point. Denying that "Jesus is THE Christ" also involves denying, or refusing "the Son." Thus the text reads, "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either" (NKJV). Those, therefore, who refuse Jesus as the appointed Resolution have, in that very act, denied He is the Son of God. This has alarming ramifications when one ponders the dominance of carnality and division within the professed body of Christ. Such things reveal a refusal of the Divine remedy, for you cannot embrace sin in any form without rejecting God's Remedy for sin. The soul only has one hand and one eye. It can handle and see only one thing at a time.
What is more, God will have no affiliation with any Person who rejects His Son. Such an individual "has not the Father." Such do not have His blessing, His favor, His protection, or His promises. Jesus said such people are "condemned already," and are living their lives with the very wrath of God abiding on them (John 3:18,36).
"The antichrist," therefore, is a liar. He has denied, or rejected, the Lord's Christ. He is against Christ, denies both the Father and the Son, and does not have the Father. Such is an imposter, a messenger from Satan, and one who brings the curse of God. Jesus Christ is not at the heart of his message. He offers other remedies to men than "The Man Christ Jesus." His religion does not require nor exalt Deity. Wherever such a person is found, you have found "the antichrist."
It thus appears clear that we are speaking more of a spirit than of a particular man. Thus, John later mentions "the SPIRIT of antichrist." It is not to be denied that such a spirit can find unusual expression in certain men, and during certain periods of history. Indeed, there are prophetic indications that such an individual will rise. We do read of "that MAN of sin" and "the SON of perdition" (2 Thess 2:3), "a KING of fierce countenance" (Dan 8:23), and "the false PROPHET" (Rev 19:20). Yet, there is a vagueness in all of these descriptions that forbid the development of a highly structured theology around them. While there may be varying degrees of spiritual insight granted to godly men on this matter, we must let our faith rest upon the more clear statements concerning "the antichrist." Far better to think of such a one as the opponent of Christ and the enemy of the saints, rather than merely as a despot among men – a ruthless tyrant who rules heartlessly. Such a spirit may be closer to us than many think. In fact, devout people will have a sense of alarm when they ponder these things.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that the antichrist is under Christ, and will be utterly destroyed by Him.