READ: 1 John 2:18-29
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.
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.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
KEY THOUGHT:
It’s more and more difficult to find Christian influence in the world today. The cultural shifts in society have caused a dramatic change in standards of morality and decency. Anti-Christian messages are pervasive in media, godly discipline is lacking in leaders, and ungodly behavior is socially acceptable. We often wonder how we got here. The apostle John has the answer: “it is the last time… antichrist shall come.” Antichristian thought and practice are part of a movement that has always been. We must be aware that these things exist and are setting the stage for the ultimate ungodly leader – Antichrist himself.
It’s important that you recognize the dangers of cultural shifts that can draw you away from the Bible and all that it teaches. That’s very important because as John describes the anti-Christian movement in his day, he states that, “they went out from us, but they were not of us…” Denying Biblical truth is anti-Christian. When you deny the truth of the Bible, you accept and believe a lie. Social media, culture, and worldly Christians will try to seduce you and convince you to change your beliefs because they are “old fashioned” and no longer relevant. But, you must be aware of the seduction and turn away, choosing to abide in Christ rather than with the world. These are difficult days that require exceptional strength. That strength can only be found in the truth of God’s Word and in Jesus Christ Himself. Are you abiding in Him, or are you swayed by the anti-Christ in the world?
CONSIDER:
- What does it mean to be anti-Christian?
- Give some examples of anti-Christian messages that you’ve seen or heard through media, social media, entertainment or leaders?
- How can you best be prepared to withstand the anti-Christian shift in today’s culture?
- How does your life indicate that you are abiding with Christ and not with the world?
APPLICATION:
Abide in Christ and resist the anti-Christian movement!
