The Antichrists
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour I John 2:18
The coming of the antichrist is a hot topic in some Christian circles. While John acknowledges the future appearance of an evil leader, he writes here of those who effectively are mini-versions of this man.
The term ‘antichrist’ has two parts to it – ‘anti’ meaning against (or in place of) and ‘Christ’ the title given to the Jewish Messiah. The term ‘Christ’ literally means ‘anointed’ and refers to having oil poured over someone as a picture of the Holy Spirit gifting and helping them to live out that gifting.
The many ‘antichrists’ were people in John’s day who claimed to be part of the church but refused to believe that Jesus was the eternal Son of God who took on full humanity through a human body.
John goes on to write ‘But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth’ (1 John 2:20). In context John is saying ‘They were against the Anointed One, the Messiah, Jesus. But the Holy Spirit lives in your hearts. You believe Jesus to be the Son of God who took on humanity in order to become the sacrifice for our sins. You believe Jesus died for you’ (something the ‘antichrists’ who left the church [1 John 2:19] refused to believe).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He always elevates Jesus and delights in confirming we now have eternal life and live in Jesus (1 John 3:19,20,24). We have an anointing. We have the Spirit.
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