Learning to Understand God

E-mail: devotionals@anewmeinchrist.com

The Last Time

1^st 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.

The word ‘anti’ means against. People who are against Jesus Christ are anti-Christ.

Today, there are many people who are against Jesus Christ and because of this we know that we are living in the last time.

The last time is sometimes referred to as the end times or the end of time and concerns attitudes, lifestyles and events that will take place, leading up to the return of Christ and the end of time, as we know it.

Characteristics of those who are Antichrist

2^nd John 7,9
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
(verse 7)

Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(verse 9)

People who are antichrist are those who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh as a human being, just like you and me. They also do not continue in the teachings of Jesus Christ as outlined in the Bible.

Knowing who has God and who doesn’t have God

Anyone who does not continue in the teaching of Jesus Christ does not have God but anyone who continues in the teaching of Jesus Christ has both the Father and the Son.

What to do if someone wants to teach you something other than the teaching of Jesus Christ.

1^st John 1: 10-11
If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:
(verse 10)

For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
(verse 11)

Where did these antichrists come from?

1^st John 2: 19
They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

The antichrists came out of the body of believers and not out of the world. John explains that they went out from us – the Christians- but they were not true believers in Jesus Christ. If they had been true believers in Jesus Christ, they would have continued to worship and fellowship with the Christians, as outlined by God in His Word.

In moving out from among the Christians, the antichrists were easily identified and as a result, were easily recognized as not being true believers in Jesus Christ.

Observation

As a Christian, when you don’t know what you are supposed to know about God, through careful study of His Word, you can easily be misled by false teaching.  That is why it is so important that you ‘study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ (2^nd Timothy 2: 15).

Writer: Velyn Cooper

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