Friday, December 28, 2012

Fifty Two Weeks / 1 John 2


The Darkness

So often we read the Word and it is speaking directly to us; yet, we deflect its impact by thinking this is for someone else. Even as you read this, and I write it, the sense arises that “This is something someone else needs to hear.” Hear this.

“Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

Surely you know someone to which this applies. You probably are even thinking of a name right now. Is it yours?

The World

This brief passage which includes verses 15-17 has fascinated me for a very long time. The “World” referred to here is the system in place by which the fallen world operates. It has given us greed, war, porn, exploitation, celebrity, and countless other things that are, at best, poison pills.

It is based on three principles: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. These are the only three things on which it is based. These are the elements used to entice Eve in Eden. These are the same three things used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. And these are the same three things used to draw us away and against God the Father. 

This is all that is in the world. Everything else we know is either one of these three dressed up in different clothes or it is the Kingdom of God. This is important information because the very deceptive spirit of Antichrist is in the world.

The Antichrist

Antichrist is to be embodied in a person who will be revealed near the end of this present world. This is usually as far as we go with our understanding about Antichrist. There is more. 

The Antichrist doesn’t just suddenly appear out of nowhere. The whole world has been being prepared for his unveiling for centuries. This prep has been carried out by the spirit of Antichrist which John tells us (1 John 4:3) is already in the world. 

Here is what you need to know. The spirit of Antichrist works to get humans to deny the unique position of Jesus Christ as God’s Only Son who died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification. Any “teaching” that draws you away from this acknowledgement of Christ Jesus is founded in the spirit of Antichrist.

The Children of God

“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”

Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus. We need you. The world is in a desperate state. Humanity is oppressed. Creation groans. May You hear our cry and come quickly and may we be unashamed at your coming.

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