Antichrist
When you hear the word antichrist, what comes to mind? For most of us, we think of the tribulation antichrist; however, 1st and 2nd John reveals much about the anti antichrists that are with us today.
Let's examine, biblically, the untold number of antichrists present today.
1 John 2:18, "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1st John teaches that there will be a falling away from the truth (promoted by antichrists), but those born of the Lord will by grace be preserved. There are religious denominations that teach that Jesus was a mere man rather than the incarnate Son of God. 1st John 2:22, teaches us that anyone who denies that Jesus is Christ is a liar and an antichrist. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." 1st John 4:3, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." 2nd John 7, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."
There are two forms of the Greek word for "is come" found in the following two verses; 1John 4:3 is past tense, and the form used in 2nd John 7 is future tense. One denies that He has come the other denies that He is coming again in the flesh; both attitudes are characteristics of the antichrist. 1 John 4:3, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." 2nd John 7, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."
The Christian battle is not with flesh and blood but spiritual. We are to preach the gospel from the Word. Ephesians 4: 14-15, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
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