The Antichrist Overreach

The Christ

(1 John 2:22-23, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 26, 2016)

[22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. [23] No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

There are several passages in the New Testament that give us a contrast between confessing and denying the truth. Perhaps one of the most famous is found in Matthew 10: “[32] So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” In that passage, Jesus Himself makes Jesus Himself the primary issue of faith and life.

[22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

In our text this morning, the Apostle John agrees with Jesus on this all important matter. He also makes some other important contrasts. Liar vs. truth-teller. Christ vs. antichrist. But John does more than make a series of contrasts. He also makes a very important connection. Father and Son. The Father agrees entirely with the Son and the Son agrees entirely with the Father on this all important question of Jesus Himself.

The liars, the deniers, the antichrists are those who deny that Jesus, the Son of the Father, is the “Christ.” The word “Christ” means the Anointed One or Messiah. The truth-tellers, confessors, and Christians are those who agree with both the Father and the Son that Jesus is the one Christ. They do so not only with their words, but also with their lives. “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:15-16)

[23] No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

A bit more now on the important connection between the Father and the Son: The Father and the Son have more than an intellectual assent to this doctrine. They enjoy together a complete and ultimate commitment to Jesus as the Christ. This is a very central and essential element of the plan of God for this world.

So far, we have made the following conclusion about antichrist, antichrists, and antichristism from previous verses in 1 John and other important passages in the Bible: Antichrists specialize in lies, particularly about Jesus, and lawless disobedience against the Word of God. Antichristism as a disease has reached its final stages when one person/society demands for himself/themselves the worship and absolute obedience that is due to the Triune God alone.

Now we need to add or amplify a very obvious point: Antichrist and antichrists are anti Christ. That is plain enough. We can add one additional thought to this plain doctrine. Antichrists may seek to accomplish the benefits of kingdom victory without Jesus as the Christ. As one example of this, the Bible affirms that God's plan is at least worldwide. One succinct statement of this is found in Ephesians 1:10. God has “a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth.” Given this massive plan, we should not at all be surprised by the great scope of Jesus' call upon the church in Matthew 28:19. “Make disciples of all nations.” This was not only a New Testament idea. The Old Testament also affirmed that the call to Abraham would have a worldwide fulfillment in Genesis 12:3. “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Add Psalm 100:1. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!”

It should also not surprise us that the Christ-hatred of antichrists would be expressed in claiming to be able to bring a different shalom upon the whole earth, all without the real Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ. It is in this same antichrist spirit that Satan tempted Jesus Himself with using this desperate antichrist plan in Matthew 4:8-9. “The devil took him [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.'” Jesus did not fall for this even for a second. Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'” For the last 350 years, there have been many varying antichrist efforts to create a worldwide fake peace by force of personality, brute power, or one appealing utopian deception or another—efforts that may have little in common with each other except this: They all rejected the central proposition that God is communicating to and through the church in a passage like 1 John 2:22-23: “Jesus is the Christ.”

Globalist aspirations, whether through business, military, political, or religious interests can never succeed. Only Jesus can bring about the real kingdom of God. The antichrist plans of humans and demons are all doomed to failure. Only resurrection will do in order to establish an eternal kingdom, and no one but Jesus has the power of resurrection. We need to reject all of these false, overreach substitutes with Christ's good quotation of historic Judeo-Christian ethics: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”

Worship of the true God is a very appropriate reaction to the bold assertions of globalist antichrist visions. Worship that calls us to say the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, sing hymns and psalms that are as old as the church and as a fresh as the new day, eat bread and drink from the cup of the Lord—such worship is a bowing before the Almighty with full confidence that Jesus shall reign where'er the sun doth its successive journey's run.

So whether someone insists that there is no Christ at all, or some future Christ that is not Jesus, or a false antichrist system that large numbers of people insist is the best way to world peace and prosperity, we need to have the same reply of Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe when one of those twentieth century antichrist world domination systems demanded American surrender at the Battle of the Bulge: His reply to the carefully worded German demand? “Nuts!”

Since the Father and the Son agree on the question of Jesus Himself, to deny Jesus as the Christ is to make a delusional assault against both the Father and the Son.

Given the Father's absolute commitment to Jesus, the Son, as Christ, is it safe for someone to even be agnostic about Jesus? What does the Bible teach about those who claim to worship the Father, but will not give glory to the Son of God as the only Messiah? We need to consider and embrace the apostolic teaching concerning the importance of confessing Jesus as the Christ. We cannot expect to have all the benefits of the Judeo-Christian tradition while rejecting Christ as the Anointed Prophet, Priest, and King of a Resurrection Kingdom that will never end.

Consider the glory and grace of Jehovah. We must confess the Son of God as the Messiah. Faith in Jesus is the only way to avoid an unwise assault against the Father of glory and grace.

Old Testament Reading—Proverbs 31:1-9 – What are you doing, son of my vows?

Gospel Reading—Luke 7:36-50 – Who is this, who even forgives sins?

The Anointing

Living Knowledge

(1 John 2:20-21, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 19, 2016)

[20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. [21] I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

The Holy One: In these verses, the Apostle John is celebrating a gift that the churches possess. Whatever else can be said about that gift, we should begin by directing our attention toward the Giver. God is called here “the Holy One” and He has given this gift to those to whom John is writing in this brief letter.

The Anointing: What is this gift? An anointing. In Israel, three groups of special leaders were anointed—prophets, priests, and kings. Two were anointed with oil, and one—the prophets, received a special anointing from God—the Holy Spirit. They then received and passed on to others the Word of God as God directed.

Two of the things that God told His people during the centuries of Old Testament life Had to do with anointing.

First, there would be one supremely anointed individual.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound...

or as some manuscripts had:

the opening [of the eyes] to those who are blind

We know that this one individual was Jesus, because when he preached at Nazareth, he read this passage and then said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

Second there would be a new anointed community centered around this one anointed individual.

Joel 2:28

And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...

We know that the beginning of this community here called “all flesh” is any church that will hear the Word with faith and surrender to it. Both Peter and Paul quote these words, and tell us that a new world has come through the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church.

Knowledge: The anointing that John writes about in 1 John comes down from heaven, and it is sent by the Almighty. It results in many good things, but the one that John focuses on in our passage today is knowledge. He writes, “You all have knowledge.” Knowledge of what? Knowledge of The Truth. That's big. Living knowledge that produces living truth and not lies.

John writes with confidence. He is not expecting his message to fall on deaf ears. Will you hear it today? Do you know The Truth? Many are forgetting and are wandering away from Him. When they wander, they try other ways to get what only God can give as a heaven-sent gift. Some imagine that they need things to go well in their lives in order to gain the knowledge of God and the knowledge of who they really are and what their lives are about. Not true. Everything going my way is not a natural pathway to spiritual success. Some think it is all about their spiritual efforts, particularly those efforts to show God that they are serious about Him by punishing themselves in some way. Not true again. The anointing does not come through more and more fasting, new methods of lengthy prayer, or other efforts that so many have made for many centuries. How does your life fall into place in a stable, joyful, fruitful way? How do you get the anointing that brings the best kind of knowledge of God and His ways?

Eric Metaxas, in his new book, If You Can Keep It, writes about the foundation of American liberty. He has a chapter in their on the British preacher, George Whitefield. Without the preparatory work of God through this one preacher, it is very unlikely that the colonies could ever have experienced the unity that was necessary to fight and win a battle against the tyranny of the British and for the true liberty we seem to be on the verge of losing at the present hour.

How did Whitefield find the best kind of liberty. It was not through good or bad circumstances in his life. It was not through his many efforts of religious self-abasement, or through his efforts of dedication to God in what was called the “Holy Club.” It was not even in seeing a destitute couple in prison receive the gift from his speaking to them about John 3:16. It was his own hearing of the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:32-43. Worth reading.

Hearing with faith. See Galatians 3:2. Knowledge that begins with a divinely-initiated koinonia and a human response of surrender.

How can we navigate the various conflicting truth claims of the age in which we live that demand not merely our attention, but our hearty approval? God has a heavenly gift for those who trust in Jesus—the best blessing of God Himself—the Holy Spirit. This anointing can only be received by hearing with faith.

Lies beget more lies. Grace, love, and truth proceed from the One who is the Truth, and from the Holy Spirit, who was sent forth from the Father and the Son.

The best Father's Day gift is the kind that we give, but the One that comes from the best Father. Hearing is a miracle from Him. Let me read to you this hearing miracle by Jesus. May it touch your spiritual ears, and may you hear with faith:

[31] Then he [Jesus] returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. [32] And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. [33] And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. [34] And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” [35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mark 7:31-35)

Now One Final Application: This teaching of the anointing that leads to fellowship with God and all growth in ethics and doctrine cannot be dependent on anything but God. Least of all, it cannot be contingent on me getting what I want from God, or I am right back to demanding that I be God and that God obey me. That is just an old lie. It is not from the Father. Christianity shines before the world not when we get what we want, but when we don't, and we still worship the Lord.

Old Testament Reading—Proverbs 18:4 – The fountain of wisdom

Gospel Reading—Luke 7:18-35 – Wisdom is justified by her children

Swim with the wise. They stay with the Lead Swimmer.

The People of the Lord

(1 John 2:19, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 12, 2016)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

In the prior verse, the Apostle John writes of multiple antichrists. A brief examination of 1 and 2 Thessalonians (man of lawlessness), 1 John 2:18, 22, 2:4, 2 John 7 (antichrist/s), and Revelation (beast and company), reveal a summary portrait of the antichrists that are in league with Satan: Antichrists specialize in lies, particularly about Jesus, and lawless disobedience against the Word of God. Antichristism as a disease has reached its final stages when one person/society demands for himself/themselves the worship and absolute obedience that is due to the Triune God alone.

They went out from us,

In 1 John 2:19, John is still writing about these antichrists. He says, “They went out from us.” The “us” referred to here is the church. The antichrists were once a part of the church, but then they went out from it. We are not given the details of what took place. Just that they were once in, but now they are out.

But they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.

Were these antichrists ever really sincere followers of the Lord? John insists that “they were not of us.” What is his point? Those who are sincerely of the body of Christ demonstrate their belonging in part by remaining in that body. If as some evidently did, they stop confessing “the coming of Jesus in the flesh,” (2 John 7) if they no longer “abide in the teaching of Christ,” (2 John 9) then they have demonstrated that they were never really “of us.”

But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

This is not something that we can diagnose perfectly at the present moment. Eventually there will be perfect clarity concerning the true children of God. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:19) And there will be a permanent separation between the church and the antichurch. (Revelation 20:10, 15, 21:1-8) Until that day, the word of the Spirit and the church is “Come!” (Revelation 22:17) Nonetheless, sometimes people show that they are not of us before the final hour, normally through their own choice to renounce any association with the church.

A sincere life in the fellowship of a worshiping community is an important element of the Christian experience. Jesus identified with His church. (Acts 9:4, Hebrews 2:12-13) So should we. Not every departure from a church is a sign of antichrist disease. But some are. Sad. [Example of “Rev.” Moon.] Very commonly a departure from the body of Christ takes place over generations. Example of Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), clergyman son Dean Herbert Edward Ryle (1856-1925), philosopher grandson Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976).

Application: Swim with Jesus not by just holding on to a life-preserver and drifting along the river. Keep your eye on Him, and swim with the wise. Jesus is our only propitiation. (1 John 2:2)

Old Testament Reading—Proverbs 11:19, 12:26, 13:20, 14:1, 15:31, 16:25, 17:3 – Walking with the wise

Gospel Reading—Luke 7:11-17 – God has power to raise the dead. He has visited His people.

The postmodern creed: "I am, and there is no one besides me."

Christ and the Antichrists

(1 John 2:18, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 5, 2016)

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

It is the last hour

What does the Bible mean by the expression “the last hour” or by other phrases that indicate the culmination of history in this broken world. Clearly it must include the end of the first century since John wrote this letter at that time. It also must include the present era since Christ has not yet returned with the fullness of His resurrection kingdom. (See also “last days” in Acts 2:16-17 as a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32.)

Antichrist is coming

The Scriptures tell us of a singular devil but also of many demons. There will also be a singular antichrist figure, but there have been many antichrists over the centuries. They come and go.

First, what does the Bible tell us about the singular figure of antichrist or in Paul's terminology, “man of lawlessness?” (For context see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, then 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, 1 John 2:22, 4:3, and also Revelation on the beast.) These various biblical passages emphasize the lies of the antichrist, particularly about Jesus, and antichrist's lawless disobedience against the Word of God. The antichrist insists on receiving the worship and absolute obedience that is due to the Triune God alone.

Many people throughout history have thought that they knew the identity of the singular, ultimate antichrist figure, but they were wrong. (See Gospel Coalition article with top seven historical candidates.) We should note that the Bible has so much more to say about Christ than about a singular antichrist figure, so we should not get unbalanced in this matter by an undue emphasis on one evil being. Just as an example, almost all of the parables of the New Testament clearly refer to Jesus, but none of them has a clear reference to a singular antichrist figure.

Many antichrists have come

Now, secondly, what about multiple antichrists? Who are they, what do they do, how do they fit into the purpose of the Lord, and should we be concerned by them? (For context see 2 John 1:7 and references in Matthew and Mark to false christs.) These multiple antichrists are rebellious deceivers just like the singular antichrist, but they are very numerous, and they would seek to lead astray those who are in the church.

Who are the antichrists? They are false christs and leaders against the true Christ and his church.

What do the antichrists do? They seek to deceive others, demanding our attention with their false wonders and exaggerated greatness.

How do the antichrists fit into the purposes of the Lord? The Lord has warned us that false christs would come. His kingdom shines in the midst of bad substitutes and spiritual warfare.

Should we be concerned by these antichrists? Yes and no. When we pay too much attention to them we unwittingly fall for their agenda. They want our attention in order to distract us from the true Messiah, His Word, and His people. Resist their lure, and don't be obsessed with them.

Our primary focus is not on one antichrist or on the many antichrists that are a sign of the New Testament era, but on the One and Only Son of God, the Christ, who will win every battle. He leads the way for us to the land of light.

Side note 1: A King who wins through a cross can never be defeated. He is the Lord over all. We need to be those who are drawn to the weak and the suffering and not to the powerful. Antichrists are not on our “lists” because they are not on our hearts. Regular people that others would dismiss as insignificant are on our hearts, and we want to be connected to them in our lives. We believe that this is the way that the kingdom of Christ comes.

Side note 2: This kingdom-building project of Christ is the answer to the puzzling question of why “the last hour” has lasted so much longer than an hour. Remember that a 1000 years is not the same to the the Lord as it is to us. What feels like a delay to us is not a cosmic mistake. The Lord is building up His temple out of billions of people, some of whom are being born as we speak. The gospel needed to be preached to every people group on the earth, and all of the elect needed to hear it. All that would take time, at least 2000 years, but perhaps much longer. Only the Lord knows. (2 Peter 3)

Back to 1 John 2:18: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”

As those who, with the first apostles and the entire New Testament church, live in “the last hour,” let us make two obvious applications:

1. Do not follow antichrists.

Jesus was well aware of Herod and Pilate, two excellent candidates for antichrist during his earthly ministry. He did not allow them to have any particular pull on him. He was clear about who He was, and as in His interaction with the devil, He did not yield to them for a moment. He went about His own ministry and calling, and treated them like the people they were: fallen, dangerous, sinful men under the authority of the Almighty and in need of a perfect Savior.

The very best way to avoid that temptation to fall under the sway of an antichrist is to be fully impressed with the real Jesus. The great ones of our day cannot hear your prayers. They cannot bring you from death to eternal life. The Lord's true Christ can and will. He says, “Follow Me.”

2. Do not be antichrists.

We live in an day that has embraced some pretty bad, old ideas, packaging them as new and improved. In Isaiah 47:8-10 we hear twice from the lips of Babylonian women what has become a very contemporary creed: “I am, and there is no one besides me.” You don't have to be rich and famous to decide that you are the center of the universe. When you come to the conclusion that reason, science, the Bible, and Jesus all need to bow before you so that you can be who you are, something has gone wildly wrong. Jesus is Lord. Believe in Him. Worship and obey Him.

Old Testament Reading—Proverbs 4:10-19 – The path of the righteous and the way of the wicked

Gospel Reading—Luke 7:1-10 – Faith in the Lord over all