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teachingnotes
- All Scripture is from CSB (Christian Standard Bible) unless otherwise noted.
John called his time, 2000 years ago, “the last hour”. This is NOT referring to a chunk of 60-minutes and it isn’t a phrase meaning the end of time is right around the corner.
- We have been living in “the last hour” since this letter was written - over 2000 years ago. The biblical writers taught that the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven has brought us into the last days.
This is spoken through the apostle Peter during Pentecost. Go read it for yourself in (Acts 2:1-13).
Last days is the Greek eschatou - from where we the the term eschatology - the study of “last things”. The same Greek term is used here:
1 Peter 1:18–20 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.
Hebrews 1:1–2 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.
Hebrews 9:26b But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. * different term than “eschatou”, but used in the same way.
We NOW live in the last days/hour and await the return and reign of Jesus, which could occur at any time. Until then, we remain in the “last days/hour”.
How does John know this is the last hour?
His answer? Even now many antichrists have come, and by this we know that it is the last hour. “Anti” means “against”. Many in John’s day had stood against Christ = antichrists. It might surprise you to know that this term - antichrist - is ONLY found in John’s epistles and is NEVER used in Revelation.
Some blatantly stand against Christ, saying Jesus is NOT the Messiah, and that He never claimed to be God.But others stand against Christ in a much more camouflaged and subtle way. They are the ones that Paul warned the Ephesian church about - possibly the very audience John is writing to:
These wolves looked like they sheep, part of the flock, but they came to KILL the sheep instead of CARE for them. Jesus warned His first disciples of the same thing,
God will judge these false teachers, but until then, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and what He says through the Scriptures, rather than being lured away by the attitude of antichrist that distorts who Jesus is and what He says, and leads others to do the same thing. If the shepherds are doing their jobs, then the wolves in sheep’s clothing won’t stick around, and neither will their followers.
Stay in the Race and Finish Strong!
This anointing literally means “ointment” or “oil”, but in this text it refers figuratively to the Holy Spirit who now lives in followers of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of the TRUTH and helps us to stand against false claims of those who deny what Jesus says.
God the Father and God the Son are a package deal. Jesus wasn’t just a man, nor just God. He was the GOD-MAN, the ONE who is large and in charge. Listen to how John quotes Jesus in his Gospel writing.
John 5:22–23 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
WOW! What if a spiritual leader you know said THAT!!!???
- Jesus is the Messiah, something that Jewish people who don’t follow Jesus reject.
- Jesus is the Son of God, which Muslims fully reject. They say Jesus was just a prophet.
- Jesus is God in skin, the second person of the Trinity. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject this - teaching that Jesus was the first creation of God - the angel Michael. On JW.org website this question is asked and answered: “Is Jesus the Archangel Michael? Put simply, the answer is yes.”
- ALL OF THESE deny WHO Jesus is and WHAT Jesus says about Himself.
The spotlight of Scriptures is on WHO Jesus is and WHAT Jesus says. When correcting his religious enemies Jesus said…
While the attitude of antichrist distorts the claims of Jesus and leads others to do the same thing, followers of Jesus are to make sure that…
You don’t need anyone to teach you? What does John mean by this?
- John is NOT saying the spiritual teachers are not important.
- The very letter we are reading is TEACHING people what they should do and not do. So too, the Scriptures note that God has given the church spiritual leaders to shepherd the people, teach the truth, and run off the wolves (Eph. 4:11-12).
- The teaching of men is NEVER a substitute for the truth of the Scriptures, affirmed through the Holy Spirit’s Presence (anointing).
Anyone who distorts WHO Jesus is and WHAT Jesus says, leads others to do the same thing, and should be REJECTED, as this is the attitude of antichrist.
With every tick of the clock, we get closer to the day that we see our King. Until that time we must guard & share the reality that…
Eternal life is given to those who trust Who Jesus IS and what Jesus says.
- Remain in Him, by opening the Scriptures, pray, & walk in obedience.
- May we NOT live in such a way that we would be ashamed before Him at His coming.
What if you knew it was tomorrow - 24 hours from now?
- What would you surrender to Jesus today?
- What lie, secret, what impure relationship, what material possession would you say, “I’m not covering that up anymore, I going to make the right today.”?
- What personal relationship would you try to make right? What sin would you ask another to forgive you for?
- Who would you engage with the truth of Jesus if you only had 24-hours left?
- HOW do you know it’s NOT?
