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. They went
out from us; but they are 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. But ye have aan unction
from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1John 2:18-20
John is an apostle of love as can be seen in this letter, therefore to use the term "little children" ia a love term for those who he considers to be of Christ's bride. The Greek word used here refers to education, a training up, nuture of children, instruction, discipine, correctin, and chastisement. Some would take that word to just mean "little children" when it does in context but also has a larger meaning that I have given. Next about antichrist for the Greek is important to note for the two words translated as antichrist are speaking of two different beings. How? The first antichrist has before the word antichrist the article "the," and the second does not, therefore the first translation is "the antichrist is coming," and the second is that there are "many anitichrists now." What is an "anitchrist?" This word means to be an opponent, an imposter, or that a person is assuming aguise of Christ and by his opposition takes the place of Christ. One sure way to know if a person is an antichrist is to listen to their words when it comes to Christ, for if they will say that they beleive in Christ but either denies Him, or never, or hardly ever speaking about Him, and some even go so far as to deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. "The antichrist" (note the "the") is one who affirms himself to be the Christ. Do you know of anyone who says that he is a Christian and that he is the vicar of Christ? To be called the "vicar" of Christ is to placed onself as the substitute for Jesus Christ. It can be said that a person who substitutes himself in place of the "real" Christ who is in heaven might just be called the "anitchrist" one of many who are plaguing the Authentic Christian Church. Many are being misled and are leaving the true Authentic Christian Church. They were of us and now they are not and not only them but others who are honestly seeking Jesus Christ are misled.
John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says that you have an unction. What is an unction? It the act of annointing, or a medical treatment, to be soothing or comforting, or an affected or excessive earnestness in manner or utterance, to have moralistic fervor. So, you have been soothed, comforted by Jesus Christ and by the love from your brothers and sisters in Christ and you too are to be one who comforts and soothes. But there is more! You are also to have a fervor for Christ, for the Gospel, to be earnest in your following the command of Jesus to take the gospel anywhere you go, or speak.
John writes: "I have not written unto you becaue ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but hethat denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anitchrst, that denith the Father and the Son. Whosever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also" (1John 2:21-23). The Greek is clear for before "Christ" is the Greek word for "the," not just some one calling themselves the "messiah" or "Christ" but "the Christ" and to deny the truth about Him is to be a liar. How do you deny Christ? Well, teach that He was just a phantom, or that He was just another prophet, or that He did not really come, and that He is not God. If you deny Jesus Christ, then you deny the Father. Why? Because the Father and Jesus Christ are One, not separate beings, but one of the Trinity that makes up the Godhead. If you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and that He died for you on the cross then you are speaking the truth and are not a liar.
I have attended many Churches and have heard many anecdotes, and analogies, and supernatural miracles, and never heard one word about Jesus Christ. There is no speaking of sin, personal sin that needs a personal Savior. I have attend some of these Churches, and it is almost all of them, the atmosphere is more like being at a Woodstock Concert" with euphoric utterances, and jumping around, shouting, and clapping (which in itself is not wrong) that is all about a person's feelings that have been fueled by some eloquent speaker driving them on to this frenzy. This is not Christianity and even is denying our Lord and Savior to achieve some personal "good" feeling, to feel godly. You do not have to sit stoic, and have no feelings, but are those feelings fueled by the Gospel or be a man, or woman? It is alright to raise your hands in worship, even to clap at the appropiate times, even to shout out "amen." Yet, in all this Jesus Christ must not be denied in any form or manner. It is the Gospel that saves and the Gospel being preached is lacking in too many so-called Christian Churches. How is your Church? At times I miss the shouting out "amen" when the preacher has made an important point about Jesus Christ. Many of the people in Churches today look as thought they are ready to party, to go to the beach, or to the park, lake, and respect is missing in their dress which is a sign that their worship may not be all that genuine. Even announcers wear suits and ties, and the women announcers were proper respectful dress. Why not us who are coming to worship our God and Savior? Is this attitude and lack of respect a way to subtly deny Jesus? It may be! No, a person's dress does not save him, or make him an Authentic Christian, and many do not have the money to have such clothing. Really? Well, I have two expensive suits in my closet and the total cost, with ties, $26.00. As a loving brother or sister is you have the money buy a proper respectful clothing for someone and aid them to understand what it means to be respecful in all things towards or Savior and God. Others who come to your Church may think that they have come to a party and never hear about Jesus Christ. Is this not some form or manner of denial? Yes! You do not have to remain in denial for as John states: you know the truth.
The days of visitation are come,
the days of recompence are come;
Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool,
the spritiual man is mad, for the multitude
of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.......
My God will cast them away,
because they did not hearken unto Him:
and they shall be wanderers among
the nations.
Hosea 9:7,17
Prepare now! Many anitchrists want your life
Richard L. Crumb
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