In 1 John 2:18 the apostle writes, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” In the New Testament “the last hour” refers to that whole period of time between Jesus’ ascension to heaven and His immanent second coming from heaven. What, for John, proves the fact the last hour is at hand? The presence of antichrists.
Even though the concept familiar to the Old Testament, Jesus, and the apostle Paul, John is the only biblical author to use the word “antichrist.” He says there is an ultimate antichrist that is yet to come, but many antichrists—small copies of the one to come—have already come. Have you ever considered that antichrists may be much closer to you than you think? How might you notice them? In 2:19-23 John gives us three truths about ordinary antichrists.
3 Truths About Antichrists
#1: They will depart from the church. Look at we he says in 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” Those who do not continue in the fellowship of Christ reveal they were never truly in fellowship with Christ. This verse also tells us that little “a” antichrists are not just prominent political powers or religious rulers. They often show up in ordinary churches. They are eventually unmasked by their unwillingness to stay in Christ’s church.
#2: They will deny Jesus is the Christ. Notice 2:22-23, “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” To believe Jesus is the Son of God is the doctrine that makes Christianity different from all other religious. Why is denying Jesus as the Son such a big deal? Simply put, to deny Jesus is the Son is to deny He is God’s perfect source of revelation and salvation. Jesus incarnation as the Son of God, His coming into history as one man in two natures (divine and human) is the central tenant of our faith. As such He perfect revelation of God, Jesus as the Son, makes God known. And then Jesus as the sinless substitute achieves salvation for His people. Anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is an antichrist.
Lest we think that denying Jesus is something other people do, let not forget we can deny Jesus with our lips and lives. Have you fallen into persistent hidden sin? Is that not a denial of Christ’s commands and calling? Run to him tonight and lay hold again of the blood of Christ that cleanses from sin.
#3: They will deceive those in the church. The final distinguishing mark according to this passage is in 2:26 where John says, “I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.” An antichrist is never one who is content to sit on the sidelines, they are covert operatives for the kingdom of darkness. An antichrist is a spy of Satan who continually offers counter-intelligence and disinformation to the church. Their mission is destruction through deception.
This post is adapted from my recent sermon, “The Light of Truth,” on 1 John 2:18-27.