Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 49 we are going to study the last part of 1 John 2:18.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:18 ...so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
Now, let’s take a look at the definition of the words.
So (2532. kai) means even, also, namely, very often, moreover, or indeed.
Now (3568. nun) means just now, even now, just at hand, or immediately.
Many (4183. polus) means numerous or great in amount.
Antichrists (500. antichristos) are people who put themselves in the place of the Messiah or are an enemy of the Messiah.
Have appeared (1096. ginomai) means to come into being, to happen, to become, or emerge.
This is how (3606. hothen) means from which place, from where or for which reason.
We know (1097. ginóskó) means we realize, ascertain, or know especially through personal experience.
It is the last (1510. eimi) (2078. eschatos) means it is the final, the furthest, or extreme-end.
Hour (5610. hóra) means a time period, a definite space of time, or a season.
In the previous lesson, Lesson 48, we learned about the coming of the Antichrist in the last hour before the second coming of Jesus.
The Antichrist, who is empowered by Satan, will embody the ultimate opposition to Jesus. He will speak words of arrogance and blasphemy, oppress the saints, disrupt God’s ordained order, undermine the presence and authority of God, commit the abomination that causes desolation, and be extremely controlling. He will ultimately be judged and thrown into the lake of fire.
In Lesson 49, we will learn about the presence of many antichrists who have emerged in our current time. This is how we know that this is the final season or time period before the second coming of Christ.
The antichrists are people who operate in the spirit of the Antichrist. These individuals are currently spreading false teachings, rejecting the truth about Jesus, and leading others away from faith in Him.
Let’s study some verses that teach us about the antichrists who have emerged and are now living among us.
In Matthew 24:5, we read that many will claim to be the Messiah. They will lead many people away from Jesus through deception, claiming to take His place.
Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
In Matthew 24:11-12, we read that false prophets will arise and mislead many. A false prophet is someone who falsely claims to speak on behalf of God, and their teachings contradict His will. This will result in an increase in lawlessness and a decrease in love for God and others.
Matthew 24:11-12 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
In Mark 13:22, we read that false Christs and false prophets will be extremely deceptive. They will perform impressive signs and wonders, demonstrating that antichrists can potentially perform seemingly miraculous acts, making it difficult to discern the truth. This highlights the importance of having spiritual discernment and relying on God’s Word for guidance.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
In Acts 15:1, we read about individuals teaching that salvation comes through obedience to the Old Testament law. This contradicts the gospel of grace, which teaches that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. Be on guard against teachings that contradict the gospel.
Acts 15:1 Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
In Acts 20:29, we read Paul’s message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. He warns them about false teachers who will seek to lead people away from the truth, describing them as savage wolves. These are antichrists who speak perverse things and seek to lead people away from God.
Acts 20:29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
In 2 Timothy 4:3, we read that people will reject the true teachings of the gospel in favor of teachings that suit their own desires. We must be on guard against these antichrists who seek to lead us away from Jesus through teachings that appeal to our sinful nature. Remain vigilant and become rooted in sound doctrine, so you can discern teachings that deviate from the truth of Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
In 2 Peter 2:1, we read that false prophets and false teachers will introduce subtle and secret heresies. It may not be immediately obvious that a teaching is heretical, which is why it is crucial to study the Bible deeply.
2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
In 2 Peter 3:3, we read that in the last days, scoffers will come. Scoffers are people who mock, doubt, reject, or dismiss the teachings of Jesus with a disdainful attitude. Instead of taking Christ’s return and judgment seriously, they will focus on seeking their own desires rather than looking to God. These are antichrists.
2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
In 1 John 4:3, we read about the spirit of the Antichrist. This spirit leads people to deny, oppose, and reject Jesus. The spirit of the antichrist is actively at work today. Be vigilant against any influences that reject or distort the truth about Jesus.
1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.
In conclusion, many antichrists have appeared. They are all around us right now. This is how we know that it is the last hour and that the Antichrist will be coming soon.
We have learned the following about the antichrists who have emerged.
Antichrists
Claim to be the Messiah.
Deceive and mislead people through their claims.
Cause people’s love to grow cold.
Lead people to lawlessness.
Perform signs and wonders.
Contradict the gospel of grace.
Do not spare the flock.
Are savage wolves among the flock.
Speak perverse things.
Draw disciples after themselves.
Favor teachings that suit their own desires.
Secretly introduce destructive heresies.
Deny Jesus.
Are scoffers.
Follow their own desires.
Be on guard for people that have these characteristics. Be vigilant and resist their influence. Abide in Christ and study the Bible, so you can know what is true and what is false. Look to Jesus.
Let’s read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:18 ...so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
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