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Living In The End Times # 6
1 John 2: 18-23
In our previous study John gave direction concerning spiritual victory for the believer.
Regardless of our maturity level, we all need to grow in the Lord.
Continued growth is essential in overcoming the difficulties we face.
John knew the struggles present and he sought to inform us of specific pitfalls that are common to all:
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
We found that all sin ultimately falls into one of these three categories.
Our text this morning continues to deal with particular difficulties common to all believers in every generation.
It is in this section (and in the similar teaching of 4:1–6) that the crisis which called forth this letter comes into clearest view.
The lines become sharply drawn between truth and falsehood, Christ and antichrist, confession of Christ and denial of Christ, those who have an anointing from the Holy One (true believers) and those who do not (pretenders).
John reveals the presence and dangers associated with the spirit of antichrist.
They were only a few decades removed from the ascension of Christ and the spirit of antichrist was already prevalent among them.
Now we stand some 2,000 years removed and the spirit of opposition to Christ and His church grows stronger by the minute.
As we look at the verses before us, I want to examine the distinctions John shares concerning our day, as we consider: Living in The End Time
We discover it is:
I.
A Definitive Time
(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.
Such a time as this can be clearly defined.
Notice:
A. The Proclamation
(18a) – Little children, it is the last time:
It is evident John is writing to the church, the children of God.
He declares that they were living in the last time.
How could that be?
Was John mistaken?
If they were living in the last time 2,000 years ago, then why are we still here?
Why hasn’t Jesus already returned?
Well John thought for sure that Christ would come back during his life time.
He just knew that Christ could return at any moment and the signs were there that He could return.
John did not make any false statements here he just simply was anticipating the return of Christ.
Christ told his disciples to watch.
He told them to work for the night cometh when no man can work.
Christ was telling them then that anytime after his death he could return.
Even the Son knew not the hour nor the day
All I can tell you is, be ready because we are closer today then we have ever been.
B. The Degradation
De-Gra-dation
(18b) – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;
John is confirming what they had already been taught.
In the last time, the spirit of antichrist would be prevalent upon the earth.
We know just prior to our Lord’s return, Antichrist will establish world-wide rule and domination.
He will come and deceive many.
We don’t know exactly when that will occur, but clearly it hasn’t happened yet.
However the spirit of antichrist, standing in opposition to all that is godly and righteous, is present today.
Believers in John’s day faced opposition and that opposition is growing stronger with each passing day.
We live in an age when the majority of society resists the Christian agenda.
Other religions are being promoted in America while Christians are being restricted from practicing their faith publicly.
Our world continues to embrace the spirit of antichrist.
C. The Confirmation
(18c) – whereby we know that it is the last time.
John reveals that the presence of this spirit of antichrist confirms the existence of the last time.
No man knows when the Lord will return, but we can know and understand that we are definitely living in the last time.
Are we not in perilous times?
How true this is for the day and age we are living in.
How many do you know that have left a Bible believing church to go and sit under preaching that only resembles preaching because they call it that.
People are more interested in feel good religion then they are in the truth.
Why do you think ol joely joel has the crowds he has?
Not only is is a Definitive time
II.
A Disruptive Time
(19) – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Here we see the disruption these cause among the church.
Consider:
A. Their Falsehood
(19a) – They went out from us, but they were not of us;
John experienced those who had been perceived as part of the church, departing because they were not genuinely born again.
Some may have stayed for years, others just a short while, but eventually they left.
We have all experienced this in our Christian journey.
I know many who made professions of faith and attended church regularly.
By all outward appearances they were saved, but they have since left the church and have no desire for the things of God any more.
I am convinced our churches are filled with professors who lack a genuine possession.
How else do you explain the turmoil and division many churches face?
B. Their Flakiness
(19b) – for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:
A tree is known by the fruit it bears.
Those who are in Christ may falter and wander from the Lord at times, but they will eventually return.
God will chastise His children.
If they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.
It doesn’t get any simpler than that!
They are like those flaky corrisots.
A total waste.
a waste of perfectly good dough.
The following is about a well known individual,
A seventeen-year-old high school student, in order to graduate, had to write an essay on a religious subject.
He chose the subject of the union of believers with Christ, according to the Gospel of John.
Let me share with you just a portion of that essay: "Our heart, reason, history, and the work of Christ convince us that without Him we are doomed by God, and only Christ can save us."
These thoughts from a seventeen-year-old reveal one with spiritual wisdom beyond his age.
They are words from one that had been baptized at age six into the Lutheran Church, and confirmed at age 16.
The name of this young man: Karl Marx.
Just nine years after writing those words, he abandoned any Christian commitment he may have had at one time.
He would go on to become one of the most influential atheists of history.
His ideas would spawn through the Soviet Union and the Communist movement, one of the greatest epics of human misery and death in history.
i
1 Tim.4:1
and there are many more just like Karl Marx
C. Their Fancy
(19c) – but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
These are not content to depart quietly.
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