Antichrists and Anointing 1 John 2:18-29

What does it mean that we live in the last days? Living In The Last Days What does it mean that we live in the last days? What must the Christian be aware of to remain secure in Christ?

The Last Hour 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.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

How Do We Understand This Last Hour? Not an indication of TIME Is an indication of POSITION Is an indication of PROGRESSION

The expectation of antichrist was present by John’s time. The Antichrist(s) The expectation of antichrist was present by John’s time. John is the ONLY New Testament writer to use the phrase. 2:18,22; 4:3, 2 Jn. 7

So who is the antichrist? Political leaders? Church leaders? Pope?

How Does John Define Antichrist? Vs. 19 -- They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Vs. 22 -- Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

The Anointing Is NOT the Holy Spirit or some mystical force. Vs. 20 -- But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

It IS the word of God Vs. 24 -- 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.

Vs. 27 -- As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.