1 John 2:18 "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." “Many antichrists”: While the term’s first occurrence refers to a particular person prophesied in Scripture, this one is plural and refers to many individuals. John uses the plural to identify and characterize the false teachers who were troubling John’s congregations because their false doctrine distorted the truth and opposed Christ (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22; Acts 20:28-30). The term, therefore, refers to a principle of evil, incarnated in men, who are hostile and opposed to God (2 Cor. 10:4-5). John writes to expose the false teachers, the wolves in sheep’s clothing who purvey damning lies (Eph. 5:11). “The last time” is a phrase referring to the “latter times” or “last days”, i.e., the time period between the first and second comings of Christ (1 Tim. 4:1; James 5:3; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18). This, again, is speaking of Christians, when it says, little children. The last time indicates the nearness of the coming of Christ. Jesus warned of this very thing in Matthew 24:24. "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." The appearance of these antichrists is another sign that the coming of Christ is near. The word "antichrist" just means those who are opposed to Christ.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:13:14 +0000
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