The apostle John was writing to first-century Christians. This is the only place in the Bible that the word antichrist is mentioned. John says that it is the last time. It has been the last time now for 2,000 years.
Christ said no one but the Father knows when this last time will end.
Hebrews 1
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
So, who does John say is "antichrist"?
- 1 John 2:18 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.
- 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
- 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
- 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
This would include Muslims, Jews, atheists, heathens, Satanist, and all who do not believe in Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christians not to align themselves with those John called "antichrist".
2 Corinthians 6
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The only temple of God on this earth is the Christians. This will be the temple of the living God until time is no more, for this is the last time.
As Christians, we should love and pray for all. John 3:16
But we are not to be as "fellows in the same ship" with unbelievers.
There is no fellowship of Christians and unbelievers. |
