1 John 2:18-29

there sure is a lot dialogue in christian circles about end times, prophecy, and the second coming.  i don’t know if there is more now than when i was younger, but it sure seems like it.  i don’t know of a more hotly debated and potentially divisive subject in the church.  there are brothers who simply break off fellowship with other brothers because one side cannot agree with the other side.

i have to admit that after years and years of listening, reading, studying, and reflecting, i can honestly tell you that i am not positive about what i believe the end of the world is going to look like.  i think that opposing interpretations make logical and persuasive arguments.  the fact that there are not just two sides (there are at least nine or ten distinct, identifiable interpretations of end-time prophecy in the bible) makes the confusion even more jumbled.  

there are good-hearted, wise, and deeply committed disciples of jesus who stand confidently and intelligently on each of those interpretive positions…calling one of them their own and unashamedly rejecting all the others.  pretty heady stuff.  i’m grateful for the debate, but often very frustrated over the superior and judgmental attitudes that seem to accompany some of the particular positions…and deeply frustrated when those attitudes result in loss of friendship and fellowship.  enough of that.

from my study this past week, though, i am convinced that all this stuff about the “antichrist” runs the risk of being blown out of proportion.  the only place that the word “antichrist” appears in scripture is in this letter written by john…and only four different references are made.  (there is a reference to the man of lawlessness by the apostle paul in second thessalonians 2:3-12…and a similar reference in the gospels…some conclude that these must be the “antichrist”).  the cool thing about john’s letter is that he doesn’t just refer to the “antichrist”, but he defines who it is and where he will come from.  there is no confusion.  there is no speculation.  

we know that the “antichrist” will be one of many throughout history.  they will always start out as one of us.  they will then become overly consumed with themselves…believing that they have an anointing that is more special than the one that all the rest of us received…and then they will start to give out new and better insights and healings and interpretations and leadership…seeking to draw a following.

john’s message?  beware of anyone who claims to have a special anointing and remain close to the true anointed one…jesus.

great passage.