Antichrists, the Last Hour, and the Denial of the Son
The presence of antichrists who depart from the apostolic fellowship and deny Jesus as the Christ reveals that it is the last hour and exposes the decisive importance of confessing the Son.
1 John 2:18-23 (BSB)
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.
20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
21 I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.
22 Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
What is the big idea of 1 John 2:18-23?
The presence of antichrists who depart from the apostolic fellowship and deny Jesus as the Christ reveals that it is the last hour and exposes the decisive importance of confessing the Son.
How does 1 John 2:18-23 point to Christ?
Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah and eternal Son of God. To confess Him rightly is to have the Father; to deny Him is to remain outside the life of God. Eternal life is bound to a true confession of the Son as revealed in the apostolic gospel.
How does 1 John 2:18-23 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
Jesus openly identified Himself as the Messiah and warned of deceptive claimants, grounding John’s emphasis on christological fidelity.
Authorial Intent
To warn believers about false teachers who reject the true identity of Jesus and to strengthen assurance by clarifying the marks of authentic faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your understanding of the last hour shape your vigilance against deception?
- What does it mean practically to confess Jesus as the Christ in today’s cultural climate?
- How can you grow in discernment through the Spirit’s anointing?
- Why is denial of the Son inseparable from rejection of the Father?
Chapter: 1 John 2
Christ Our Advocate, Walking as He Walked, and Abiding in the Truth
Because Jesus Christ is the righteous advocate and atoning sacrifice, believers must abide in him through obedience, love, truth, and discernment until his appearing.