Antichrist, 18 May 2025
Antichrist
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
May 18, 2025
1 John 2:18-29
Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.
Big Idea: We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:18-22
For as long as I can remember, one of the most fascinating subjects in the church has been end times and, specifically, the antichrist. Who is it? Some thought Hitler. Others were sure it was Gorbachev. Still others announced Saddam Hussein was the antichrist. As we continue our series on the book of 1 John, I’m going to tell you who the antichrist is…or antichrists.
John, one of Jesus’ three best friends, is writing a letter to some of the first Christians. Up to this point in the letter, he has talked about light, love versus hatred, and the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of this world. Now he confronts the imminent crisis facing his congregation.
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. (1 John 2:18)
The last hour. Antichrist. This sounds a bit like the book of Revelation—also written by John. Notice antichrists is plural. These are clearly enemies of Jesus, by definition.
People love to talk about the last hour, end times. How is it possible that 2000 years ago they were living in the last hour? Many believe John was talking theologically, not chronologically when he speaks of the last hour. It’s a period that began at the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Nineteenth-century pastor J.H. Newman distinguishes between history before Jesus and history since Jesus. He said history changed direction, from toward the end to along it.
I like to say God has all of the time in the world. If a day is like a thousand years to Him (2 Peter 3:8), the end was near and the end is near. The next step in history will be the return of Christ. Are you ready? Are your friends and family ready? Our mission is to get them ready, to love, equip, and send them into eternity with Jesus.
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. (1 John 2:19)
It’s not enough that there were those opposing Jesus. Now they’re harming the church.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (1 John 2:20)
This word “anointing” has been abused by many who simply claim to be anointed. By whom? It’s a work of the Holy Spirit, and it’s not an all-or-nothing, one-time thing. It’s the result of the Spirit guiding us into truth and granting us discernment.
I would love to be able to declare to you, College First, that all of you know the truth. Today people talk about “my” truth and “your” truth and “trust is what I feel.” Pilate asked Jesus moments before the crucifixion, “What is truth?” in John 18:38. Jesus had already said to Thomas,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Do you know the truth? Truth is a person. Do you know Jesus?
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
I love how John weaves this Greek word, aletheia throughout his writings. Truth matters.
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. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:21-23)
Antichrist could refer to an opponent of Christ, but here it’s anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ, is divine, is fully God, yet fully human. They
- Deny the incarnation (4:2)
- Deny the divinity of Jesus (v. 22)
- Deny the Father (v. 22)
- Do not have the Father (v. 23)
- Are liars (v. 22)
- Are deceivers (2 John 7)
- Are many (v. 18)
- Left the church (v. 19)
As for you, 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. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:24-25)
Remain. Abide. Stay devoted to Jesus. Remain faithful to Christ. He said,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
John continues,
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:26)
This is a warning. Pay attention. This is still true today. There are false teachers saying Jesus is not God…or that he’s not human. There are those proclaiming a so-called prosperity gospel that says if you’re not healthy and wealthy, it’s your faulty faith. Others view the Bible as a nice collection of suggestions rather than authoritative. Much of the early church letters addressed these issues because there were—and still are—those trying to lead others astray. This is why we need accountability, we need to know the word, we need to have a relationship with the truth, and remain in Jesus.
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. (1 John 2:27)
Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you study the Bible, as you pray, as you disciple and teach others. John is addressing a heresy known as Gnosticism. These false teachers claimed they had a “secret knowledge.” Today this may disguise itself as new age, self-help, mystical experiences, or simply ignoring sin. What they needed—and what we need today—are men, women, and children committed to orthodoxy—right thinking—and orthopraxy—right living.
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)
He is coming. Soon. Are you ready?
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:29)
Sometimes John’s message is so simple and obvious, but evidently, it’s worth repeating. If you’re like me, you may be quick to automatically place yourself among the “good guys,” the righteous, those who do right. Is this true? I’m just asking! Doing right does not save us. It’s not the result of trying harder. Rather, it’s the result of the Holy Spirit transforming our lives as we seek and surrender.
So What?
There’s no need to spend countless hours searching for the antichrist. There are plenty of people eager to draw followers, deceive seekers, and lead people away from God. As we said last week, we are not to love the world because it is opposed to the Kingdom of God. The worship of self, the denial of the truth, and expressions of pride are all indicators of evil. Our world is filled with news and information, but much of it is false.
The Church is filled with beliefs and practices. I would like to think most of it—all of it—is true, though false teachers have infected congregations for two thousand years. As I often say, don’t take my word for it when I preach, but study the scriptures, fact-check me, Jesus is our authority, not me. I do my best to proclaim the truth of the scriptures, but I’m human. That’s why I’m grateful for our Elders and denominational leaders who provide accountability and support to me and our congregation.
We need to discern the truth, know the truth, know Jesus. Be alert. This requires more than a weekly sermon. Saturate your heart, soul, and mind in the scriptures. Engage in a small group to explore the Bible in community. Don’t be passive in your growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, stay on your knees in prayer, and surround yourself with godly men and women who can mentor, model, and disciple you.
We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).
Credits: edited by ChatGPT
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
May 18, 2025
1 John 2:18-29
Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.
Big Idea: We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:18-22
For as long as I can remember, one of the most fascinating subjects in the church has been end times and, specifically, the antichrist. Who is it? Some thought Hitler. Others were sure it was Gorbachev. Still others announced Saddam Hussein was the antichrist. As we continue our series on the book of 1 John, I’m going to tell you who the antichrist is…or antichrists.
John, one of Jesus’ three best friends, is writing a letter to some of the first Christians. Up to this point in the letter, he has talked about light, love versus hatred, and the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of this world. Now he confronts the imminent crisis facing his congregation.
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. (1 John 2:18)
The last hour. Antichrist. This sounds a bit like the book of Revelation—also written by John. Notice antichrists is plural. These are clearly enemies of Jesus, by definition.
People love to talk about the last hour, end times. How is it possible that 2000 years ago they were living in the last hour? Many believe John was talking theologically, not chronologically when he speaks of the last hour. It’s a period that began at the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Nineteenth-century pastor J.H. Newman distinguishes between history before Jesus and history since Jesus. He said history changed direction, from toward the end to along it.
I like to say God has all of the time in the world. If a day is like a thousand years to Him (2 Peter 3:8), the end was near and the end is near. The next step in history will be the return of Christ. Are you ready? Are your friends and family ready? Our mission is to get them ready, to love, equip, and send them into eternity with Jesus.
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. (1 John 2:19)
It’s not enough that there were those opposing Jesus. Now they’re harming the church.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (1 John 2:20)
This word “anointing” has been abused by many who simply claim to be anointed. By whom? It’s a work of the Holy Spirit, and it’s not an all-or-nothing, one-time thing. It’s the result of the Spirit guiding us into truth and granting us discernment.
I would love to be able to declare to you, College First, that all of you know the truth. Today people talk about “my” truth and “your” truth and “trust is what I feel.” Pilate asked Jesus moments before the crucifixion, “What is truth?” in John 18:38. Jesus had already said to Thomas,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Do you know the truth? Truth is a person. Do you know Jesus?
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
I love how John weaves this Greek word, aletheia throughout his writings. Truth matters.
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. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:21-23)
Antichrist could refer to an opponent of Christ, but here it’s anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ, is divine, is fully God, yet fully human. They
- Deny the incarnation (4:2)
- Deny the divinity of Jesus (v. 22)
- Deny the Father (v. 22)
- Do not have the Father (v. 23)
- Are liars (v. 22)
- Are deceivers (2 John 7)
- Are many (v. 18)
- Left the church (v. 19)
As for you, 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. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:24-25)
Remain. Abide. Stay devoted to Jesus. Remain faithful to Christ. He said,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
John continues,
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:26)
This is a warning. Pay attention. This is still true today. There are false teachers saying Jesus is not God…or that he’s not human. There are those proclaiming a so-called prosperity gospel that says if you’re not healthy and wealthy, it’s your faulty faith. Others view the Bible as a nice collection of suggestions rather than authoritative. Much of the early church letters addressed these issues because there were—and still are—those trying to lead others astray. This is why we need accountability, we need to know the word, we need to have a relationship with the truth, and remain in Jesus.
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. (1 John 2:27)
Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you study the Bible, as you pray, as you disciple and teach others. John is addressing a heresy known as Gnosticism. These false teachers claimed they had a “secret knowledge.” Today this may disguise itself as new age, self-help, mystical experiences, or simply ignoring sin. What they needed—and what we need today—are men, women, and children committed to orthodoxy—right thinking—and orthopraxy—right living.
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)
He is coming. Soon. Are you ready?
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:29)
Sometimes John’s message is so simple and obvious, but evidently, it’s worth repeating. If you’re like me, you may be quick to automatically place yourself among the “good guys,” the righteous, those who do right. Is this true? I’m just asking! Doing right does not save us. It’s not the result of trying harder. Rather, it’s the result of the Holy Spirit transforming our lives as we seek and surrender.
So What?
There’s no need to spend countless hours searching for the antichrist. There are plenty of people eager to draw followers, deceive seekers, and lead people away from God. As we said last week, we are not to love the world because it is opposed to the Kingdom of God. The worship of self, the denial of the truth, and expressions of pride are all indicators of evil. Our world is filled with news and information, but much of it is false.
The Church is filled with beliefs and practices. I would like to think most of it—all of it—is true, though false teachers have infected congregations for two thousand years. As I often say, don’t take my word for it when I preach, but study the scriptures, fact-check me, Jesus is our authority, not me. I do my best to proclaim the truth of the scriptures, but I’m human. That’s why I’m grateful for our Elders and denominational leaders who provide accountability and support to me and our congregation.
We need to discern the truth, know the truth, know Jesus. Be alert. This requires more than a weekly sermon. Saturate your heart, soul, and mind in the scriptures. Engage in a small group to explore the Bible in community. Don’t be passive in your growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, stay on your knees in prayer, and surround yourself with godly men and women who can mentor, model, and disciple you.
We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).
Credits: edited by ChatGPT