Letters from the Beloved – Deceptions Past, Present and Future, Part 1

In my Bible, the next section of 1 John is titled “Deceptions of the Last Hour” and includes verses 18-23. There is so much here to unpack that it’s going to take me more than one blog to cover it.

1 John 2:18-19 [ESV] 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Before we consider the message of these two verses, I think it is important to note that John refers to antichrist, not THE antichrist as the New King James has it (and a few other translations). The implication that a “the” exists – that is a specific, single, greater of note than the other “many antichrists” person on entity exists – clouds John’s message, in my opinion.

“Antichrist” means “against God”.

Before our calling we were “against God” and, I think, we would be even now, as believers, if we commit any sin willfully.

Unfortunately, there have been times when I have experienced Church doctrines that are “against God”. How can that be? Well, like the Pharisees and Sadducees of the New Testament times, church leaders - preachers, teachers and administration, but also those that have been given (or have taken) places of authority because they are rich – can bring in opinion or false doctrine that is not underpinned and solidly supported by the Bible and the Holy Spirit’s guidance or vetted by elder, experienced believers.

These same folk, men and women alike, can add burdens to the congregation’s walk with Christ that are unnecessary and push people away from walking in love and freedom. Read Matthew 23:4 and compare it to Isaiah 58:6.

Sadly, I have also seen members and ministers use tactics in trying to bring in new members to the faith that are ultimately “against God” in that they present a false idea of what is needed for baptism or because they focus on threatening the sinner with hell or penalties in this life or other fear tactics.

Again, these tactics tend to push people away from God in that they present Him as cruel, angry and threatening, rather than as a loving Father who seeks to draw us toward Him, to bless us and show us how much better life can be.

God has standards. He gave us the 10 Commandments to show us the things that should and should not be a part of our lives. When Jesus came to earth to dwell among us, He modeled the 10 Commandments perfectly and showed time and again (by words and actions) that the 10 Commandments are spiritual, of the heart, and firmly founded on love of God and fellow man. Read Matthew 5:17-48 and Matthew 22:34-40.

Finally, I have seen that when these self-appointed leaders of the brethren don’t get what they want – when a loving pastor or congregation says, “let me show you a better way” or “let us help you understand the love and law of God more perfecting”, finding that they will not get their way, they leave either for a new congregation to try these pet doctrine on or to create congregation that will follow them. Worst, they may give up and go back into the world because the image of God that they created just isn’t working for them the way they hoped.

To be clear, any time we sin we are anti-Christ. When we repent and are forgiven, we are no longer anti-Christ because of our sins.

However, John, the beloved, was right to warn the church of God about those who will step in “against God” with false doctrines or self-made regulations that add to the loving, righteous law of God.

1 John 2:18-19 [ESV] 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour

Sweet sisters, watch out for those who do this – no matter what “authority” they bring (or think they bring) to the argument for their “against Christ” doctrines.

Be like the people of Berea. Who, “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” [Acts 17:11] Lean on the Bible and the Holy Spirit, plus seasoned, humble brethren, to help you spot the people and the doctrines that are actually “against Christ” so that you will not get fooled or trapped into being anti-Christ yourself.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org