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 57 we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:22.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:22 Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?...
Let’s go over the definition of the words.
Who is (5101. tis) (1510. eimi) – This phrase refers to “someone” or “anyone” who “exists” or “is present.”
The liar (3588. ho, hé, to) (5583. pseustés from the same as NG5574) – This refers to “the deceiver,” someone who “speaks falsehoods” or is “untruthful” in nature.
If it is not (1487. ei) (3361. mé) – This expresses absolute negation, meaning “if not truly” or “unless it is not.”
The one who denies (3588. ho, hé, to) (720. arneomai) – This verb indicates an ongoing, continuous action of denying, disowning, or rejecting the existence or truth of something.
That Jesus is the Christ (3754. hoti) (2424. Iésous) (1510. eimi) (3588. ho, hé, to) (5547. Christos) – This emphasizes the specific truth being denied—that Jesus is the Christos, the Messiah, or the Anointed One.
In other words, anyone who continually rejects the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, is a deceiver, speaks falsehoods, or is inherently untruthful.
John, the author of 1 John, seeks to protect and warn believers against those who reject Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah or the Anointed One.
The Messiah was prophesied to be the One anointed by God to bring salvation, reign as King, and fulfill God’s promises to His people.
When someone denies that Jesus is the Christ, they are rejecting God’s plan of salvation and aligning themselves with the spirit of the Antichrist.
In 1 John 4:3, we read that anyone who does not confess Jesus is not from God and is influenced by the spirit of the Antichrist. This verse also emphasizes that this spirit is already active in the world.
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 2 John 1:7, we are warned that many deceivers have gone out into the world—specifically, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a person is identified as a deceiver and the antichrist.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
In Matthew 10:33, we read that whoever denies Jesus will be denied by Him before the Father. This serves as a strong warning against rejecting Christ and highlights the serious consequences of denying Him.
Matthew 10:33 (NLT) But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
In 2 Peter 2:1, we learn that false prophets and teachers will introduce destructive heresies, ultimately bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Similarly, 1 John 2:22 warns that those who deny Jesus as the Christ are aligned with the Antichrist. Both passages underscore the danger of rejecting the truth about Jesus and the inevitable consequences for those who spread false doctrine.
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.
These false teachers and false prophets reject that Jesus is the promised Anointed One.
In the Old Testament, there are many prophecies about the coming Messiah, the Anointed One, or the Christ.
Let’s review some of the prophecies.
In Genesis 3:15, we read the first prophecy about Jesus. This verse foreshadows Jesus' victory over Satan through His death and resurrection.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
In Isaiah 61:1, we read about the mission of the Anointed One. He will proclaim the good news, which is the message of salvation, hope, and deliverance. He will heal those who are hurting—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. He will free people from sin and demonic oppression. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, proving that He is the Christ.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners…
In Jeremiah 23:5-6, we read that God promises to raise up a "righteous Branch" from David’s lineage. This is a messianic title. Jesus fulfills this prophecy because He is genealogically tied to David. The prophecy also states that He will demonstrate divine wisdom, administer justice and righteousness, provide salvation, and will be called "The LORD Our Righteousness." Jesus fulfills every prophecy and requirement, confirming that He is the Christ.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
In conclusion, those who deny that Jesus is the Christ are liars. They are influenced by the spirit of the Antichrist that is active in the world today. They deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, and because of this, they are deceivers. The consequence for those who deny Jesus is that they will be denied by Jesus before the Father. We are warned that these false prophets and teachers are secretly introducing destructive heresies, which will ultimately bring swift destruction upon themselves.
They are denying that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament. Jesus is the One who will crush the head of Satan, proclaim the message of salvation, hope, and deliverance. He will heal those who are hurting and set the prisoners free. He will demonstrate divine wisdom, administer justice and righteousness, and will be called "The LORD Our Righteousness."
Remember, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and He is the fulfillment of God's perfect plan for our salvation. Let us remain faithful to Him, trust in His promises, and share the truth of who He is with others, so that they too may know the hope and deliverance He offers.
Let’s read the first part of 1 John 2:22 one more time.
1 John 2:22 Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?...
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Dennis Yu on Unsplash. Death Valley, California. Berean Standard Bible.)
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