December 23 - Warning

December 23 - Warning

1 John 2:18-29

Before John received the Revelation of Jesus, he was busy as the Bishop at Ephesus. He cared for the people with great love and tenderness. The amazing man, who was know with his brother, James as the Sons of Thunder had been transformed by God's grace into the man who spoke of great love.

Can you imagine being one of the twelve that had walked with Jesus throughout His ministry, had experienced His death and resurrection and watched as He was taken away into heaven? Many years had passed following those experiences and the disciples kept waiting for His return. Though He had made sure to be vague, He had said over and over that they were to keep watch.

Now John, Peter, Paul, James and others needed to encourage their disciples to remain steadfast - living lives that would be pleasing to Jesus.

Everyone knew that the antichrist would precede Christ's return - that it would be a sign of the final days. John writes that many antichrists have already been among them. (1 John 2:18) In fact, these antichrists had been close to the people he was writing to, but finally drifted away. They had never really been part of the community.

The assurance in this passage is awesome. "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth." (1 John 2:20-21)

The antichrist is the liar that denies the Father and the Son.

We already have the truth. John goes on to say, "See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us - even eternal life." (1 John 2:24-25)

The anointing we have received will remain in us. It will teach us, it is real as we remain in Him.

"And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)

Jesus is returning. John tells us that we should have confidence in the truth that we already know. The antichrist(s) will move among us, but we will always know what is truth if we remain in Christ. We have that assurance - the Jesus Christ promises us eternal life. When He returns, when He comes back we will enter into that eternal life with Him.