1 John 2:18-25 (NRSV)
Remain in union with God
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 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. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 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. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.
Reflection
John doesn't mean it's the last hour of the day, or the last hour of something. John is leading us to think that it is as the last hour or last time or the final hour. John is explaining a period of history that is about to end.
All of our lives seem to move through phases as we grow and mature. History of nations does the same from beginning to end. Cultures move through phases of growth and life. John is speaking of an end of a phase of Christianity and the beginning of another. The end here is the coming of many antichrists. The spirit of the antichrist has come.
Antichrists that were members of the church. But they were different. As Christians we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are graciously given this gift and have done nothing to earn God's favor. God comes to us and we form a relationship with God. The Holy Spirit moves in and through our lives bringing growth and action to our faith. We become a part of God and a part of one another that can't be separated.
The antichrists among us have clearly denied Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They have chosen to run away. They have seen yet still chose to turn and run. This running is not a mere difference in interpretation or minute detail of the church; it is a running from God. In this they become false teachers and lying prophets.
John's definition of the antichrist is one who denies the Father and the Son. This is the lie John speaks of in this passage.
But if we believe and are in the Father and the Son; then God will be in us and we will have the fulfillment of eternal life. So John warns us that we must beware and be alert to the cunning messages of the antichrists of this world. A change is coming as we mature in our faith and thanks be to God, God warns us through the writing and witness of John.
Prayer
Lord, there is a lot of stuff said out there in this world. Help me to discern the truth about what is said and written. Teach me to turn to your Word, the Bible, and search for Truth. Speak Truth to me in my prayer when I'm confused. Lead me to family and friends who speak your Truth. Guide me along your way in life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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