WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?

1 John 2:21-29

21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Notes

The apostle warns believers that they are living in the “last hour.” One evidence is the presence of many antichrists, false teachers. These individuals seemed to be part of the community but ultimately departed. It proved that they did not truly belong. In contrast, true believers received an anointing from the Lord. The anointing signifies the knowledge of the truth. John calls the readers to remain grounded in the truth. The apostle reassures believers that they know the truth and can discern lies, particularly those that deny Christ Jesus.

1. The Antichrist

   John wrote to affirm the truth already known to the believers, the truth concerning Jesus Christ. He also identified the liar as anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ. This may also apply to those who distort the truth about Him. Those who do are antichrists.

   
   
   1 John 2:21-23: I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
   
   

2. Remain in the Word

   John instructs them to remain in the teaching they heard from the beginning. If they remain in the Word, then they have the Father and the Son, which includes the blessing of eternal life. They should not be influenced by those who left; those who teach wrong doctrine.
   
   

   1 John 2:24-25: Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
   
   

3. The Anointing

   John believed that those whom the Lord anoints with understanding will not give in to the deception. Why? As they abide in His Word, the Holy Spirit teaches them the truth. The apostle continued to encourage and instruct them to remain in Him, which bears the fruit of practicing righteousness.

   
   
   1 John 2:26-29: I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
   
   

   Application:

   1. Never misrepresent the Lord Jesus Christ. Expose false teachings about Him and clearly distinguish truth from error. Those who do not align with the truth of Christ are, according to Scripture, antichrists.
   2. Remain in the Word of God. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as He is revealed in Scripture, and not according to personal opinion or the views of others. Our faith must be grounded in the Word.
   3. The Holy Spirit guides and teaches us as we engage with God's Word. Therefore, let us continually read, study, and obey the Scripture, for the Spirit works within us through His Word.
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. How did John describe the antichrist?

2. When it comes to abiding in His word, look for parallel verses in John’s gospel account, then explain the similarities. Are there differences? Explain.

3. What does the anointing do? Who is the teacher that the Lord Jesus mentioned in the John’s gospel account? Explain.