“Deceptions of the Last Hour” (1 Jn. 2:18-29)

Guard Against Self-Deception “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 Jn. 1:6) “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 Jn. 1:5) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 Jn. 1:10) “He who says, ‘I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’” (1 Jn. 2:4) “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 Jn. 2:6) “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness…” (1 Jn. 2:9) “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 Jn. 2:15)

Guard Against Being Deceived By Others 1 John 2:18–29 (NKJV) 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have...

Guard Against Being Deceived By Others 1 John 2:18–29 (Continued) the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Who Is the “Antichrist” At Times, Might Refer To a Specific Individual: “…you have heard that the Antichrist is coming…” (1 Jn. 2:18) Any Person Or Number of People: “…many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 Jn. 2:18) A General “Spirit” Or Attitude People Might Have: “…every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:3)

Identifying Antichrists: They know the truth and chose to reject it. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” (1 Jn. 2:19)

Identifying Antichrists: They are people who deny that Jesus is the Christ and Denies the Father and the Son. “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 Jn. 2:22)

Identifying Antichrists: They are people who deny that Jesus came in the flesh. “…every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:3)

Identifying Antichrists: Who Is True/False Those who say they have fellowship with Christ while living in sin are liars (1 Jn. 1:6). Those who deny they have sinned are not telling the truth (1 Jn. 1:8, 10). Those who say they know Jesus but fail to keep His commandments are liars (1 Jn. 2:4). Those who say they are Christ's and yet hate their brother is mistaken (1 Jn. 2:9). Anyone who claims to love the Father but loves the world is mistaken (1 Jn. 2:15)

Identifying Antichrists: Who Is True/False Someone claiming to be a Christian who have withdrawn from those who believe the truth are not what they claim to be (1 Jn. 2:19). People denying that Jesus is the Christ is an antichrist (1 Jn. 2:22). Anyone claiming to believe in the Father who does not believe in the Son is mistaken and has neither (1 Jn. 2:23). The person who denies that Jesus has come in the flesh is not of God, though they may claim to be (1 Jn. 4:3).

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Let the Truth Abide In You 1 John 2:24 (NKJV) 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Truth Does Not Change 1 John 2:27 (NKJV) 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Truth Does Not Change 1 Timothy 1:4 (NKJV) 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 2 Peter 1:16 (NKJV) 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Truth Does Not Change 2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) 3 …His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Things We Can KNOW: (1 Jn. 2:3) “…by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 Jn. 2:29) “…you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 Jn. 2:18) “…even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1 Jn. 2:20-21) “…you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” (1 Jn. 3:2) “…we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him...”

Safeguards Against Being Deceived: Things We Can KNOW: (1 Jn. 3:5) “…you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (1 Jn. 3:14) “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren…” (1 Jn. 3:16) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us….” (1 Jn.3:18–19) “…let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth…”