Sermons
Who Is the Antichrist
4Studies In First John
Christians and Their Place in the World
(Popular title: Who is the Antichrist?)
1 Jn. 2:12-29
Introduction:
1. In this section John identifies reasons for his writing.
2. He does so in a series of parallel clauses addressed to little children, fathers, and young men.
3. Earlier in chapter 2 he emphasized the necessity of loving one’s brother as the mark of abiding in the Light.
4. In verses 15-17 he warns against loving the world. In verses 18-24 against antichrists and in verses 26-29 against deceivers.
5. What can we learn applicable to our 21st century context that will help us be all we can be for the Lord?
Discussion:
I. Why John is writing (2:12-14).
A. It is unclear why he addresses them as children, fathers, and young men.
Various theories have been offered by scholars. None of them are particularly
attractive.
1. Elsewhere he addresses all his readers as children (ex. 2:1, 18).
2. If he means to refer to the groups literally, the order is odd. Why not children,
young men and fathers? It is not chronological. If he is thinking of spiritual
maturity, again the order is odd and there is nothing to suggest he is using a
metaphor.
3. There is a noticeable association with the wording.
a. Fathers are said to have known the Lord “from the beginning.”
b. Young men are said to be strong.
4. What is said of each group can be said of all John’s readers or at least ought
to be true of all believers.
5. Some think it is simply a rhetorical device designed to persuade, drawing
attention to a particular perspective to make the reasoning more
compelling.
B. Six things, however, are critical.
1. Sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake.
2. They have known Him.
3. They have overcome the evil one.
4. They are strong.
5. The word of God abides in them.
6. They have overcome the world.
II. Do not love the world (2:15-17).
A. Love of the Father is incongruent with love of the world.
1. This is a point made clear by Jesus in Matt. 6:19-33.
2. James reiterate the same in 4:4: “Friendship with the world is hostility toward
God.”
3. Paul calls for actions that demonstrate this in the financial realm (1 Tim. 6:7-
19; 17-19).
4. But “love of the world” is not exhausted by thinking in terms of materialism.
a. Anything that captures our allegiance other than the Lord becomes “love
of the world” (1 Tim. 6:11-16).
b. It may be the world’s philosophy or culture.
c. It may be some false religion that becomes our idol.
d. It may be some false source of information. 2:18ff is going to speak of
antichrists. Of course, John has already contrasted walking in the Light of
God’s word as opposed to walking in darkness. Ex. Astrology, psychics,
etc. Cf. Deut. 18:9ff.
e. Our love of the world may be evident in seeking the praise of men rather
than the praise of God (Matt. 6:1ff).
f. Addictions that become the lord in our lives can be considered “love of the
world.”
g. Pleasure seeking can become “love of the world” (Eph. 4:17ff).
B. John classified love of the world into three overlapping areas: lust of the flesh,
lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.
1. We often interpret lust of the flesh with a sexual tone (1 Thess. 4:3-6). This is
fair, but too limited (cf. Gal. 5:19-21). Note jealousy, strife, outbursts of
anger, dissensions, etc.
2. Lust of the eyes. We tend again to think sexually. Ex. Beautiful man or
woman. But this is too limited. We are attracted to many things through our
eyes—beautiful car, beautiful house, beautiful farm. Eyes and flesh are
merely mechanisms through which are tempted.
3. And note the relationship between such things and “the boastful pride of
life.” “Things” elevate us in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. Most
times they are not things that are inherently wrong, but when we allow them
to draw us away from the Lord they become our idols.
III. Antichrists are present, but we have an anointing (18-29).
A. Who are these antichrists?
1. Various theories have been advanced. Some Protestants have suggested it
is the Pope, but this does not really fit the context here.
2. These antichrists are anti-Christ.
a. “They went out from us” (19).
b. “This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son” (22).
B. We have an anointing (20) and this anointing stands in contrast to “antichrists.”
1. What is this anointing? It is from the Holy One and it involves the truth and it
involves what they had heard from the beginning—the Word (1:1). It is what
they had been taught (2:27).
2. In the O.T. anointing was symbolic of the reception of the Spirit (1 Sam.
16:13; Isa. 61:1). The text of Isa. 61:1ff connects anointing with the work
done by the Messiah of bringing of good news and proclaiming liberty. Of
course, the Messiah is the one John identifies as “the Word.”
3. The anointing is from the Holy One (2:20). John has already emphasized the
message come from Jesus (1:5).
4. This anointing is this message that they have already received and is
communicated and administered as part of the work of the Spirit of God (cf. 1
Thess. 1:5). It is associated with the promise of eternal life.
C. This anointing stands in contrast to “those who are trying to deceive you” (2:26-
27).
1. The admonition is to hold on to what you have been taught.
2. He reassures them that the anointing is sufficient. They do not need to be
taught anything different. The anointing is true. Abide in Him.
IV. God’s children are confident (28-29).
A. Abiding in Him results in confidence when he comes (parousia).
1. His coming (parousia). Matt. 24:36ff refers to the coming (parousia) of the
Lord.
2. The people of God are confident. Unbelievers are unprepared (1 Thess. 5:2-
3) and will shrink away from Him “in shame” (Cf. Phil. 2:10-22). They will be
disgraced, embarrassed, yes, but more than that. They will be condemned.
B. John says that the one who practices righteousness is born of Him (2:29).
1. This connects with John’s identification of them as children (2:28).
2. And also, with what he has recorded in Jn. 3 in Jesus’ words about being
born again of water and the Spirit in a new birth. It is founded upon belief
in Jesus as the Son of God and involves eternal life (Jn. 3:3ff, esp. 16ff). Cf.
1 Jn. 2:25.
Conclusion:
1. Will you be confident at the Lord’s coming?
2. Or will you be numbered with the antichrists? Will you shrink back in condemnation?
3. Those walking in the Light of God’s communication have the anointing of truth. They are born of Him. They have the promise: eternal life!
