Living in the Last Time
Today’s Verse:
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. ~1 John 2:18
What does the phrase “the last time” bring to your mind? Paul, Peter, and John all wrote that we are in the last time. The phrase refers to the closing days of this world before Jesus comes for every true believer, and following that, a time of terrible judgment and the wrath of God on this world. John is challenging the believers on how to live a victorious Christian life in the last times. If it was the last time when John wrote about it, we are closer than we have ever been before. Let’s see how we are victorious in the last time.
We see the rejection.
The last time will be marked by many ruses. False deceivers called “the antichrist” will be manifest. In fact, there are many antichrists right now. They are false teachers promoting a false gospel. The antichrists are marked by their rejection. There will be rejection of Christ’s deity. “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. There will be rejection of Christ’s disciples. 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.” These antichrists are aggressively trying to make their own disciples through deceitful doctrines and practices.
We see the resident.
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” God has equipped us to deal with the antichrists and not fall to their deception. The unction we have is the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. He is the One Who comes alongside of us and lives within us. He teaches us all things. He gives us enlightenment of the Word of God. He guides us into all truth. He gives us discernment against false doctrines and lies. He gives us boldness to contend for the faith and stand for Jesus. His presence within us is what helps us to overcome these antichrists. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
We see the responsibility.
“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.” Our responsibility is to abide in Him. Abiding in Him speaks of a close fellowship in Christ through His Word and prayer. By staying close to Jesus, we are strengthened in our faith and confidence. By abiding in Him, we are bearing much fruit for Him. This includes the fruit of winning souls to Christ. We keep ourselves busy and focused on the Lord’s business. When we abide in Him, we are preventing the casualty of being ashamed when Jesus comes for us. The little antichrists are paving the way for the coming of the Antichrist of the Great Tribulation. All who are saved and born again and who are abiding in Christ will keep themselves strong, sanctified, and prepared for the coming of the Lord.
Living in the last time does not mean we go into seclusion and become hermits from society. It does not mean we should take a step back and do nothing. It means we live a Spirit-filled life and seek to abound in the work of the Lord until Jesus comes for us. The Lord has given us our orders on how to live victoriously and not let the tactics of the antichrist defeat us.
Have a courageous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 16-18