Most everyone has heard the term antichrist, but few understand what it means and to whom it applies. In this passage of Scripture, John is recalling what he's learned regarding his experience with Judas, one of the other apostles, but whom he now calls, antichrist.

Wait - isn't the Antichrist a person, just one big bad person? If so, was Judas that person. If so, wouldn't it void Revelation's prophecy, or was John's use of the term to tag Judas loosely applied? The answer to both questions is "No." John tells us there is one Antichrist to come, but until he comes, many will be like him in that they blend into the family of God. John says that the more of this problem we see, the closer we are to the return of the Lord. That's why John spends quite a while speaking on the subject in the second chapter of his letter.

The term antichrist should be viewed as someone who, having known who Jesus is, resists him to the point he works against God and His people. Now that you understand the term, you may be tempted to use the term to describe someone you know. John's message is intended to alert believers to the reality that some people actively oppose God, even when they profess loyalty to Christ. Their action against Christ makes them "antichrists."

You may have heard the saying, "Once saved - always saved." That is a doctrinal belief implying that a person will not lose his salvation after receiving the Holy Spirit and placing his faith in Jesus Christ. But many people are walking around who profess to be saved, but have never received the Holy Spirit. Instead, they place their faith spoken words and not God's word.

In verse 19 John said, "When someone departs from the faith, they were never part of us (saved)." To be an antichrist, John says all you have to do is be lost and work against Christ. It's true; many people profess to be saved, but have no evidence of salvation in their life, but are actually deceiving everyone. You realize don't you, that people look at you to see if what God's word says is true or if it's just another book of fiction with a little truth in it.

Do you belong to the family of God? If so, you should act like it and find your inspiration within the Operations Manual for Christians called, the Bible. If I was going to paraphrase John's writing in afew words, I'd say, "You call yourself a Christian. Either start acting like one or be honest and stop confusing people. People need to be saved but they can't get past the contradiction you present them."

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Dn. 9:1-10:21 1 Jn. 2:18-3:6 Ps. 121:1-8 Pr. 28:27-28 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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