Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread Devotions by Chuck Myer  Daily Bread Archive | Sign up for our resources

From the first letter of John we read,

      • “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” (I John 2:18 – NASB)

Yesterday in our worship service our pastor, teaching through the gospel of Luke, expounded upon Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. Afterwards, in our group that meets on Sunday mornings, we got into the texts that pastor taught on. Whenever Christians get to talking about the end times there never seems to be a lack of varied responses regarding what Jesus had to say about His return.

Following our get-together, I couldn’t help but think about this term that John used in his letter, the term “antichrist.” When one is in a discussion about the last days, about Christ’s return, this title always seems to come up. And then there begins the speculation regarding him.

John says to the believers he is writing to, “you heard that antichrist is coming,” and so they had, and so we have likewise “heard.” But he also notes that “many antichrists,” the title now in the plural, “have arisen.” The Son of Thunder was making it known that a specific “antichrist” was on the horizon, but right now, we are dealing with “many antichrists” in our very midst.

John is the only New Testament writer that uses this term, “antichrist” (note I John 2:22; 4:3; II John 1:7). It is the Greek word, antichristos, meaning, “against the Messiah,” or “opposed to Messiah.”

Within the body of believers that John was writing to “many” who were “opposed to Messiah” had “arisen.” They were in the church, and they were spreading their heresy amongst believers, carrying out the work of Satan to try and turn the church away from the truth. What truth would that be? Note . . .

      • “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. Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.” (I John 2:21-22 – NASB)

And so we note that “antichrists” are those that deny “that Jesus is the Christ,” the Messiah. An “antichrist” is one that distorts “the truth” of God’s written revelation. They are, John says very pointedly, “a liar!”

These “antichrists” come in among us and in their own self-serving manner attack the very faith of Christians, of those belonging to Christ. If we who are His are in the Word and know the Word of truth (John 17:17) we will thwart their heresy and we will be able to challenge their “lie” and be able to say of them as John reported of those that he had exposed,

      • “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, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.” (I John 2:19 – NASB)

Why is it so important that believers be established in the faith (Colossians 2:7)? So that when “antichrists” come, and they will come, “they” can be exposed and driven out from the assemblies of true believers. Sound doctrine exposes them, shows “that they all are not of us.”

Brethren, be warned! Be warned that there are antichrists who predate the Antichrist, men and women who not only come from the outside but also from the inside and they are “liars,” distorting the “truth,” and God expects that you should know that “no lie is of the truth.” It should be our witness that because we are of the “truth . . . they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.”

Have a good day . . . . and strive to be one who is set apart by sound doctrine, established in the faith, so that, if necessary, you can spot any antichrist, any liar who seeks to pervert the truth of God’s Word.

A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ   Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.

 

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2020

  1.  The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  3. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  4. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings? 
  5. How are the Shepherd’s Rod and Staff Different?
  6. What Does It Mean to TASTE & SEE That God Is Good? (Psalm 34)
  7. What do the 12 stones UNDER the JORDAN River mean? (Joshua 4)
  8. Is Leonard Cohen’s “HALLELUJAH” a Christian Song?
  9. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM? Psalm 22
  10. Is my TATTOO a sin?

This is not a Got Questions? article. But it's so popular it ranked among the top pages viewed:

More Popular Got Questions & Articles

Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
Where did OT Saints go at death? ABRAHAM'S BOSOM
If BAPTIZED as an Infant, Do I Need to Be Re-Baptized?
What Does it Mean to Be A CHILD OF GOD?
Which OT Book Did JESUS QUOTE Most Often?
How Did the Wise Men Know This Was the Messiah and KNOW TO FOLLOW HIS STAR?
What Did Jesus Say About HEAVEN (and HELL)?
How long did JOB SUFFER?
Three Heavens? Where is the THIRD HEAVEN?
What are the “I Will ” STATEMENTS of Satan, God, and Jesus?
SIN, INIQUITY, TRANSGRESSION? How are they different?
Should we call HIM JESUS? Or Yahweh? Or Yeshua?
Is Satan’s Real Name LUCIFER?
JESUS WEPT. Why? 
Is There a Remez (HIDDEN MESSAGE ) in Revelation 7? Why is Dan Missing?
Is It a Sin to Drink ALCOHOL?
Is SUICIDE an Unforgivable Sin?

Something ALL Christians must know:  IVDARR

Reasons for Hope* Jesus video banner

TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace
  2. Christian Version of Leonard Cohen's HALLELUJAH
  3. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  4. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  5. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  6. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share
  9. TASTE AND SEE that the Lord is Good ~ Psalm 34
  10. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas

*****************

Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

SubscribeNow!

The goal of Reasons for Hope* Jesus is to help you establish your heart and anchor your soul in Jesus, and renew your mind in His Word.

 

Get equipped with knowledge!

Be encouraged in hope!

Live empowered with love! 

You have Successfully Subscribed!