The Law and the Children of God (Part 4) : Cain and Abel

1 John 2:28-3:15; Genesis 3:1-4:15

“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

In this passages the apostle John differentiates between the children of God and the children of the devil. The children of God are those in whom God’s seed (His nature, His Holy Spirit, or Christ) abides (1 John 3:9). They have been saved by grace through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, and characteristically practice righteousness (perform good works) as a consequence of their salvation. That is, they willfully, faithfully, submit to God’s moral and relevant civil law (see The Law and the Children of God). But what does this “look like?” They characteristically pay taxes, give freely and generously, and they characteristically love one another [see The Law and the Children of God (Part 2) : Taxes and Giving, and The Law and the Children of God (Part 3) : Love One Another]. The children of God also characteristically act like Abel, in that they worship God in faith. And the children of God don’t characteristically act like Cain, who offered false worship (without faith), rejected God’s Word, rejected God’s admonition, hated and murdered his brother, felt no sorrow for his sin, refused to repent, and ultimately complained about God’s just and merciful judgment. For a table which breaks down 1 John 2:28-3:15 and Genesis 3:1-4:15 to highlight these contrasts between the children of God (like Abel) and the children of the devil (like Cain), click on the following link:

1 John 2:28-3:15 : Cain and Abel

The Law and the Children of God (Part 3) : Love One Another

1 John

What does it mean to love one another? Is love some nebulous, subjective concept? Or is it something far greater? For answers to these and other questions, click on the following link:

1John_The Law and the Children of God_Love One Another

The Law and the Children of God (Part 2) : Taxes and Giving

1 John 2:28-3:15

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:1-4; 14-16).”

The relationship between “the law” and the children of God is of incredible import. As such, Jesus and His disciples spoke and wrote frequently about it. In this regard, let’s look at The Gospel, Its Consequence, and two examples of this relationship: Taxes and Giving.

The Gospel

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).”

Its Consequence

“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen (Matthew 28:19-20).”

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).”

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-20)?”

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him (1 John 2:3-5).”

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother (1 John 3:4-10).”

The Scripture is clear: good works are a consequence of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Good works, simply stated, are demonstrable acts of willful submission to God’s moral and relevant civil law (for more on this distinction between moral, civil, and ceremonial law, see The Law and the Children of God). Let’s look at an example of relevant civil law:

Taxes

Jesus was once asked the following question (Mark 12:14):

“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

His answer was simple (Mark 12:17):

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

The apostle Paul amplified Jesus’ teaching when He wrote that Christians need to “be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God … For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor (Romans 13:1,6-7).” So then, what’s the simple application of these texts for the Christian? Choose to pay taxes in accord with civil law! [For more on this topic, see Pay Your Taxes! and Render to God].

But what if the government to whom the Christian must pay taxes is corrupt?

That’s a good question! But the answer is simple: a Christian must still pay his or her taxes in accord with civil law. Note that neither Jesus nor Paul qualified the command to pay taxes. Neither Jesus nor Paul stated that IF government is righteous then pay taxes, but IF NOT then don’t pay taxes. Why? For both Jesus and Paul knew that government, which is comprised of sinful people, could never be perfectly righteous!

There are other examples of relevant civil law, many of which can be broadly grouped into Licenses for undertaking activity, and Limits on the scope of activity. One question to ask is the following:

What should a Christian do when there is tension between God’s moral law and civil law?

Christians need to recognize that not all civil law is relevant. That is, when God’s moral law and civil law are in conflict, Christians should submit to God’s will (as revealed in His word) and ignore or resist civil law. For example, the early disciples ignored restrictions placed on their preaching (Acts 5:17-29), and Christians in many totalitarian or Islamic nations today congregate together (Hebrews 10:24-25) in direct violation of civil law.

Giving

An overview of the types of giving prescribed and described in The Law is found in Deuteronomy 12:5-6:

“But you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”

Therein, there are two main categories for “giving” under the Law: obligatory & freewill.

Obligatory Giving in the Torah

Obligatory giving was part of the Ceremonial Law and included burnt offerings, heave offerings, vowed offerings, sacrifices, tithes and offering of the firstborn (this is not an exhaustive list). Note that the tithe (meaning = one tenth) was just a portion of the total obligation for the Jewish people. And while these offerings were obligatory, there were some important purposes and underlying principles therein. For example:

Why did God command that the Israelites bring the tithes and offerings to the place where God chose?

The answer is in Deuteronomy 12:7:

“And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.”

Simply put: the children of God should engage in joyful, thankful worship for God’s provision.

What was a key purpose of the obligatory tithe?

To support the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:21):

“Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.”

Of course, there’s an important principle in this command:

God’s workers are worthy of their wages (1 Timothy 5:18; Matthew 10:9-10).

What was God’s view of the failure to give that which was obligatory?

He considered it to be theft (Malachi 3:8-9):

“Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.”

An underlying principle here is that God expects His people to give.

Freewill Offering in the Torah

In contrast to the obligatory giving prescribed in the Torah, the concept of the freewill offering is also described (the freewill offering is part of God’s moral or spiritual law). These gifts are spontaneous and voluntary. A great example revolves around the construction of the tabernacle:

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering (Exodus 25:1-2).’”

“And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments (Exodus 35:20-21).”

“The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done (Exodus 35:29).”

“Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses, saying, ‘The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do.’ So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.’ And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much (Exodus 36:2-7).”

What’s the key principle involved here?

A freewill offering is a generous, perhaps lavish gift presented when your heart is stirred and willing!

The Obligatory Tithe in the New Covenant

The only passage in the New Testament after the resurrection of Christ which mentions the tithe is Hebrews 7, and the context isn’t a command for Christians to tithe, but an illustration of the superiority of Christ as High Priest! The bottom line is this: there is no command in the NT to tithe (to give away one tenth of our income or possessions), or for any other type of obligatory giving [1].

Freewill Giving in the New Testament

The concept of the freewill gift is integral to giving in the present dispensation, as exemplified by Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 9:

“1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

In this passage there are several important principles concerning “Christian giving:”

• 9:1-2 – Willingness and zeal to minister to (serve) the saints;
• 9:5 – Giving should be out of generosity and not grudging obligation;
• 9:6 – Liberal giving shall be rewarded;
• 9:7a – Give that which you purpose in your heart, not of compulsion;
• 9:7b – God loves a cheerful giver;
• 9:10 – God provides that which we give, and He multiplies it;
• 9:11 – Freewill giving causes thanksgiving to God;
• 9:12 – Give to supply the needs of the saints;
• 9:13 – Liberal sharing glorifies God; and
• 9:15 – Give graciously and sacrificially!

The epitome of freewill giving is found in 2 Corinthians 9:15, which highlights the exceedingly gracious gift of Jesus Christ! Remember:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).”

Application (of the Moral / Spiritual Law of Giving under the New Covenant)

If you have been saved by grace through faith, then as a consequence you should desire to prayerfully discern what and how much you should give of your time, talent, and treasure, and then give willfully, cheerfully, generously, and perhaps lavishly and sacrificially, to the glory of God!

End Note

[1] It’s sometimes difficult to succinctly prove a negative. So, if you’re unsure about the categorical claim herein that “there is no command in the NT to tithe (to give away one tenth of our income or possessions), or for any other type of obligatory giving,” then I encourage you to simply read the New Testament and search for a passage that includes a specific command for obligatory giving. If you find one, then please share it with me!

The Law and the Children of God

1 John 2:28-3:15

The Law

What is “The Law”?

The Law of Moses, known in Hebrew as the Torah, and known in Greek as the Pentateuch, comprises the first five books of the Bible and is distinct from the Historical Books, Prophets & Psalms (Luke 24:44, John 1:45). It has three main aspects: Civil Law, Ceremonial Law, and Moral / Spiritual Law.

Civil Law

Civil law was intended to govern the general workings of Israelite society, including relationships between people, as well as what is identified today as Family Law and Criminal Law. For example, Deuteronomy 15:12-18 contains laws concerning bondservants and their freedom, and Deuteronomy 19:1-7 contains the law concerning cities of refuge for those who cause accidental death.

Ceremonial Law

Ceremonial law comprises rules and regulations that governed practices associated with Israelite worship. For example, Exodus 23:14-17 established the law requiring participation in three annual feasts, and Exodus 31:12-17 describes the Sabbath law.

Moral Law

Moral or Spiritual law in the Torah is reflective of God’s perfect moral nature, and is encapsulated by the two greatest commandments: first, to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and second, to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

Old Covenant View of the Law

The Law is described as perfect (Psalm 19:7-10), and was to be obeyed (Deuteronomy 30:11-16) in faith (Habakkuk 2:1-4).

Jesus’ View of the Law

Jesus taught that all Scripture (which at that time comprised the Law, Historical Books, Psalms and Prophets) testified of Him, who is the One who gives eternal life (John 5:39-40). Jesus claimed that the Law is perfect to the smallest detail, and prophetic (Matthew 5:17-18). In addition, He taught that when there is tension between different aspects of the Law, the Moral Law prevails. For example, consider Mark 2:23-27, in which Jesus taught that the Moral law which commands the provision of food for the needy (Leviticus 23:22) supercedes the Ceremonial law which forbids consumption of the showbread by non-priests (Leviticus 24:9) [For more on this tension see The Sabbath was Made for Man].

Purposes of the Law

Civil law was intended primarily for the maintenance of order in society, as it is today (Romans 13:1-5); Ceremonial law was a foreshadow of Christ (Colossians 2:16-17); and the Law as a whole was intended to serve as a tutor to bring people to faith in Christ (Galatians 3:19-24). Remember, those saints like Abraham who lived prior to the first advent of Christ looked forward in faith to His coming (John 8:56)!

Some Consequences of Faithful Jewish Adherence to the Law under the Old Covenant

Faithful obedience to the Law resulted in blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-2) and holiness, i.e., separation from the Gentiles (Deuteronomy 28:9-10).

The New Covenant

How well did Israel follow the Law by faith?

Not well at all! The Israelites characteristically broke the Law, such that by ca. 626 B.C. God declared that the Mosaic covenant itself was broken (Jeremiah 31:31-32)! The primary problem was that the Israelites attempted to keep the Law by works instead of by faith (Romans 9:31-32).

What did Jesus usher in the night of His betrayal?

The New Covenant (Luke 22:14-20).

What is the Import of the New Covenant Relative to the Old Covenant?

The New Covenant supersedes the Old Covenant, which is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:7-13).

Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy : Two Sides of the Same Coin

Orthodoxy means “true doctrine” and orthopraxy means “true actions.” Where there is true doctrine, true actions are likely to follow.

What impact did Christ have on the separation between Jews & Gentiles intrinsic to the Old Covenant?

This is a now revealed mystery of great import, as described by Paul in Ephesians 2:11-18:

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

According to the Holy Spirit (who spoke through Paul), the Law of commandments in ordinances was abolished, such that both Jews and Gentiles, through faith in Christ, could be reconciled to God and to each other, thus becoming part of one and the same new body, i.e., the Church! That is to say, the barrier of separation between Jews and Gentiles was removed!

Which aspects of the Law were abolished?

The Law of commandments in ordinances is widely understood as primarily the ceremonial law but also some aspects of civil law (in so far as they applied specifically to governance of the nation of Israel, e.g., Deuteronomy 17:16).

Which aspects of the Law were NOT abolished?

Moral or spiritual law, which is reflective of God’s perfect moral nature, was not changed, for God Himself does not change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). In addition, some civil law was not abolished. For example, Christians are still commanded to submit to governing civil authorities (Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-17). That said, when God’s moral law and “societal” civil law are in conflict, Christians should submit to God and ignore or resist civil law (e.g., Acts 5:17-29).

In this context, what is a consequence of salvation by grace through faith?

Good works! That is, willful, demonstrable submission to God’s moral and relevant civil law (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Pseudodoxy and Pseudopraxy : Two Sides of the Same Coin

Pseudodoxy means “false doctrine” and pseudopraxy means “false actions” [1]. Where there is false doctrine, there is likely to be false practice. Let’s look at two general examples:

Case 1: “Someone” teaches that adherence to some form of Ceremonial Law is required for salvation

This is the false doctrine of salvation by works, and is the focus of Paul’s epistle to the Galatians!

Case 2: “Someone” teaches that Christ abolished ALL Law (Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral) and that Christians Don’t Need to Obey Christ

This false teaching is known as antinomianism, meaning “opposed to law.” Those who follow it are prone to fall into habitual sin (lawlessness), an indication of which is that they likely were never saved, and a consequence of which is that they won’t likely be saved. This is the focus of 1 John 2:28-3:15! John was addressing the issue of antinomianism that was most likely brought into the first century church by the antichrists about whom he had previously written (see Antichrists, Us and You). John was basically refuting the false doctrine of the false teachers that had recently left their community.

1 John 2:28-3:15

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

For a table which breaks down these verses to facilitate comparison and contrasting of the characteristics of the different people mentioned in this text, click here. Therein, you’ll notice that the Children of God abide in Him (2:28), practice righteousness (2:29, 3:7), purify themselves (3:3), don’t habitually sin (3:6, 3:9), and love one another (3:11). For more on this topic, check out 1 John 2:3-6 Obeying His Commands.

Applications

1) Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5)! To what extent is the “vector” of your life becoming increasingly like the child of God? Is there something about which you need to confess? Do you need to repent?

2) In humility and love, share 1 John 2:28-3:15 with anyone you know who claims to be a Christian yet seems to have a lifestyle characterized by sin. Ask him or her about your observations, and if true, and he or she is willing to repent, then be prepared to commit to helping him or her overcome and be accountable to Christ!

End Note

[1] Pseudopraxy isn’t in the English dictionary, as far as I know. I might have made it up!

God Does Nothing Unless He First Reveals His Plans?

Amos 3:7

“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

A prophet is someone who periodically communicates on behalf of God under His inspiration (for more information see Prophets and the Gift of Prophecy). So then, what does this verse in Amos mean? Does it mean, in general, in all contexts, that “whenever God gets ready to do something, He always reveals to a person or His people what He is going to do [1]?” Certainly not. Here are some obvious examples of God doing something without any apparent prior revelation:

1) The act of creation (Genesis 1:1-25). As there were no humans in existence during these creative acts, there were no prophets to whom God could reveal that which He was planning to do.

2) The suffering of Job (Job). There’s no record of God a priori revealing to anyone (human) His plan regarding allowing Satan to persecute Job.

3) The deliverance of Israel from Haman (Esther). There’s no record of God revealing that He would create or allow for circumstances in which Esther would become queen so that she could be an instrument of God’s deliverance of Israel from the wrath of the Amalekites. In fact, in the Hebrew version of this text, God isn’t even explicitly mentioned.

Of course, any mature Christian knows from personal experience that God routinely does many things without first revealing His plans or purposes to His people. It’s His prerogative; He’s God! So then, what does Amos 3:7 mean in context ? Consider the following:

1) The Date (Prior to Assyria’s Destruction of Israel) : Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah (792-740 B.C.) and Jeroboam in Israel (793-753 B.C) [Amos 1:1].

2) The Occasion (Judgment for Transgression) : Amos was called to pronounce God’s pending judgments against Damascus (Amos 1:3), Gaza (Amos 1:6), Tyre (Amos 1:9), Edom (Amos 1:11), Ammon (Amos 1:13), Moab (Amos 2:1), Judah (Amos 2:4), and Israel (Amos 2:6).

3) The Response (Rejection of God) : Despite all that God had done for (to) the people of Israel in order to prompt them to repent, they refused to return to Him (Amos 4:6,8-11).

4) The Result (Mourning and Captivity) : Amos revealed that there would be a time of great mourning, culminating in Israel’s captivity “beyond Damscus” (Amos 5:16-27), i.e., in Assyria. This ultimately occurred in ~ 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17).

So then, what does Amos 3:7 mean in context ? Simply this:

Prior to carrying out any national judgment due to characteristic corporate wickedness, the Lord would reveal (to a prophet) said wickedness and His plan to justly punish it in order to provide the nation with an opportunity to repent of its sins and return to following God, thereby also possibly avoiding God’s just punishment.

In this case, how should Christians apply Amos 3:7 today? I think that there are two options:

1) Individually. Each Christian is himself or herself an individual temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), Who searches the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10), and Who convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Therefore, Christians should diligently discern if they’ve sinned [see Hearing God : How Does God Speak Today?] and then proceed accordingly (with penitence, confession, repentance, and when necessary, attempts at reconciliation). For more on this topic check out Examine Yourself, Confession, and Holiness, Fellowship and Forgiveness.

2) Corporately. The corporate body of Christ is also the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). In this regard, it’s important to realize that the Holy Spirit can communicate about corporate issues as well, both to leaders and non-leaders (in particular if the leaders have become corrupt or are the perpetrators of the sins for which judgment on the body is pending). Therefore, diligently seek to discern any corporate sin in your local church body, and if or when necessary, share that which you discern with your church leadership team. For more on this topic, check out Leadership in the Church and Boldly Confront Sin Amongst Church Leaders.

Reference

[1] Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King, “Experiencing God : Youth Edition,” LifeWay Press, Nashville, 2005, p.31.

The Hope of the Children of God

1 John 2:28-3:3

“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

The Relationship

How is the primary audience described in these verses?

• Little children;
• Born of God;
• Children of God; and
• Us.

What anthropomorphic term is used in these verses for God?

• Father.

What is John implicitly emphasizing through use of these terms?

• A personal, intimate relationship between Christians and God!

The Context : Eschatology

The past five lessons in this 1 John series have the same context, i.e., eschatology:

• 1 John 2:12-14 : Children of God have and Will Overcome the Wicked One
• 1 John 2:15-17 : Don’t Love this Fading World
• 1 John 2:18 : The Last Hour, Antichrists, and the Antichrist
• 1 John 2:18-27 : Antichrists, Us, and You
• 1 John 2:28-29 : Diligently Abide in Christ Until He Comes

For an example of congealing different eschatological issues together, to understand their relative timing and interdependency throughout history and the future, click here.

The Children of God

Who are His children?

“We … little children” who are “born of Him” (1 John 2:28-29).

Are all people His children?

No! While all people are created in God’s image, not all people are born again. As it is written (John 1:12):

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

The word for “believe” in this verse is derived from πιστεύω which means “to have faith or trust in.”

What is this (“we” being children of God) evidence of (1 John 3:1)?

God’s sacrificial love for us! As John has written:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God (1 John 3:1)!”

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16a).”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (πιστεύω) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

What’s a key consequence of this (1 John 3:1)?

The world doesn’t know us!

Why (1 John 3:1)?

Because the world doesn’t know Him!

The Hope of the Children of God

Hope is derived from the root word ἐλπίς (el-pece’) meaning confident expectation or anticipation with assurance or pleasure. In this regard, part of the hope of the children of God is that one day we shall see Jesus as He is (1 John 3:2), i.e., we shall see Him in His glory (Revelation 1:13-16):

“and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”

Children of God will also see Jesus in His absolute holiness, for He is pure (1 John 3:3). As it is written (1 John 1:5):

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

What shall we be like (1 John 3:2)?

We shall be like Jesus! But in this regard, there are both present and future realities to keep in mind. The present reality is a dual reality, in that while Christians have been purified (declared as righteous due to the imputed righteousness of Christ), we are not without sin (1 John 1:8,10) and thus are still being made increasingly pure. The writer of Hebrews explains:

“… we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:10b; 10:14).”

The future reality is that we will one day be absolutely free from the sting of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:50-54):

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”

In 1 John 3:3, to what hope is John likely referring?

Recall that the main context of 1 John 2:12-3:3 is eschatological. In this regard, some aspects of the Christian hope include that:

• God is Sovereign over history and us as individuals; He has always had a plan in place for our good; history is His Story!
• Satan, sin and death will be completely conquered!
• Christians will be saved from God’s wrath to come, and from the Lake of Fire!
• Christians will one day receive new, incorruptible bodies!
• Christians will rule with Christ in His millennial kingdom!
• Christians will dwell in a new heavens and new earth, with God as He is, free from sorrow, pain or death, FOREVER!

How is this uniquely Christian hope described elsewhere in Scripture?

• Acts 2:26 – It’s that which gives us “rest” or “peace;”
• Acts 26:6 – It’s a promise;
• Titus 1:2 – It was promised before time began;
• Ephesians 2:12 – It’s exclusive. Those without Christ have no hope;
• Romans 15:4 – It’s derived from, and based on, the Scriptures;
• 1 Peter 3:15 – It’s in us;
• Colossians 1:27 – It’s a revealed mystery : Christ in us;
• 1 Peter 1:3 – It’s living (active);
• Romans 15:14 – We can abound in it through the power of the Holy Spirit;
• Romans 5:2 – It should prompt us to rejoice;
• Romans 5:4 – It’s the product of godly perseverance;
• Romans 5:5 – It doesn’t disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts;
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – It’s comforting;
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – It’s good;
• 2 Corinthians 3:12 – It produces boldness of speech;
• Philippians 1:20 – It causes Christ to be magnified through our lives;
• Romans 8:24-25 – It is (in part) unseen ;
• 1 Corinthians 15:19 – It’s based not just on the present, but on that which is to come;
• Colossians 1:5 – It’s awaiting us in heaven;
• Hebrews 6:19 – It’s an anchor of the soul; and
• Hebrews 7:19 – It’s that which allows us to draw near to God!

Application

So then, how should Christians respond to this hope? By purifying ourselves (1 John 3:3)! That is, our hope should drive us to abide in Him (1 John 2:28), to practice righteousness (1 John 2:29), so that when the bridegroom appears, we, as expectant virgins awaiting with sufficient oil for His return, will joyfully enter into the marriage feast (Matthew 25:1-13) [For more on the Parable of the Ten Virgins check out Rex Tremendae Majestatis!]. In other words (Hebrews 10:23-25):

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 1:13-22).”

Reference

[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/

Diligently Abide in Christ Until He Comes

1 John 2:28-29

“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”

The Audience

Little Children – John is addressing his little children. This term, used also in 1 John 2:12, is derived from τεκνίον (tek-nee’-on) meaning (literally) an infant or (figuratively) someone deeply loved. The term may also refer to recent converts, or new babes in Christ [1]. But why in this verse is John now using this term to refer to the Christian audience? Possibly as a simple link to the subsequent descriptive term:

Born of Him – Jesus had taught Nicodemus the absolute necessity of being born again in order to enter the Kingdom of heaven (John 3:1-8); as such, all Christians are born again.

Christ is Coming Again

After having discussed that many antichrists had already come (just as it is today) and that the Antichrist is coming (1 John 2:18-27), John introduced the doctrine of the coming of Christ into this letter (which is much better news!). That said, he did it in a way which indicated that it wasn’t a new doctrine, but something with which the audience was, or should have been, familiar. And why might that be the case? Because Jesus and His disciples frequently taught about His second coming; this doctrine permeates the Scriptures.

Jesus’ Disciples asked about His Second Coming

For example, shortly prior to Jesus’ betrayal (Matthew 24:1-3):

“Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’”

What instigated these questions about His coming and the end of the age? Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple, which ultimately occurred in 70 A.D. [For more on the context of these verses, check out Rex Tremendae Majestatis].

Jesus’ Disciples Wrote about His Second Coming

Prior to Pentecost, God was still explaining to Jesus’ disciples that He would one day be coming again (Acts 1:9-11):

“Now when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they (His disciples) watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”

In this passage, it’s revealed that Jesus’ coming will be physical, visible, unexpected, and with the clouds!

Antichrists have Come and are Coming First

Remember, many antichrists (those who are opposed to, and/or trying to supplant, Jesus Christ) had already come by the time that John wrote this epistle [see Antichrists, Us and You]. This was the beginning of a fulfillment of Jesus’ previous words to His disciples (Matthew 24:23-26):

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.”

The Antichrist is Coming

Jesus also warned His disciples that the Antichrist would appear in the holy place before His coming (Matthew 24:15-16):

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

The apostle Paul provided some additional insight into the identity of the “abomination of desolation” and the holy place in Judea in this event spoken of by Jesus, explaining that the coming of the Antichrist in the temple was concomitant with (1) the apostasy, and (2) the removal of He who now restrains the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7):

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

[For more on this topic see The Last Hour, Antichrists, and The Antichrist]

Jesus Spoke of His Second Coming

After Jesus identified Judas as His betrayer, Jesus announced to His disciples that He was leaving and that they couldn’t go with Him (John 13:31-33). Thereafter, He encouraged them that He would return (John 14:1-3):

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus Also Spoke of an Associated Great Tribulation

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened … Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Matthew 24:15-22,29).”

The apostle John provided further insight as to what some Christians would experience during said tribulation, during which the Beast from the Sea (the Antichrist) would experience limited reign on earth, and success in persecuting the saints:

“And he (the Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 13:5-7).”

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed (Revelation 6:9-11).”

Jesus Spoke of His Future Gathering of His Disciples

He said (John 14:1-3):

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus further elucidated that after the tribulation of those days (Matthew 24:30-31):

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Jesus was emphatic:

• All peoples shall mourn, i.e., His return will be universally noticed!
• The Son of Man shall come on the clouds with power and great glory!
• The elect (chosen ones, i.e., Christians) shall be gathered together!

Understanding this concept helps to unravel some of the imagery in the Revelation (Revelation 14:14-16):

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.”

The apostle Paul provides further insight into this gathering together (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17):

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

The gathering together of the saints involves several aspects:

• Jesus will descend (He will return) from heaven;
• There shall be a great noise (a shout, an archangel’s voice, and a trumpet);
• The dead in Christ will rise first – this is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6); and
• Those saints who are alive at the time shall be “snatched-up.”

The English word “rapture” is derived from the Latin in Jerome’s early translation of the Bible (known as the Vulgate) for “snatched-up” (rapiemur is the verb used by Jerome; raptus is the corresponding noun). It’s of interest that the Greek word for “snatched-up” in 1 Thess 4:17 is derived from ἁρπάζω (har-pad’-zo) — which is the same root word for “plundered” used by Jesus in Mark 3:27 when He metaphorically alluded to His mission to snatch sinners from the kingdom of darkness [for more on this small parable check out The Kingdom of Darkness is Being Plundered].

Jesus described what the “snatching-up” of His saints will look like (Matthew 24:40-41):

“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.”

Paul described the transformation of the saints that shall occur upon Christ’s coming (1 Corinthians 15:50-52):

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

The Disciples Wrote that Jesus Shall Come Again in Wrath

The apostle Paul provided a clue in 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 as to the timing of the coming of Christ: it will occur at the last trumpet! If this is referring to the last of the seven trumpets in Revelation, then it’s clear that the second coming of Christ will usher in a new phase of His kingdom, as well as His wrath (Revelation 11:15-18):

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’ And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:

‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.’”

As it is written (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10a):

“when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day.”

Jesus Spoke of “This Generation”

He said (Matthew 24:34):

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

But which generation does this statement refer to? Only the generation with whom Jesus was directly speaking (Preterism)? Only the future generation that would be present prior to the return of Christ (Futurism)? Or both? [See Preterism and Futurism at the bottom of this blog entry].

No Mere Human Knows When Jesus is Coming Again

Jesus said that (Matthew 24:36) “of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” So then, who knows when this day will come? No human! In fact, it seems that Jesus chose to not always exercise omniscience in His human nature, at least in this case, for He said that (Mark 13:32):

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

That said, He now has all authority (Matthew 28:18), and thus I’m certain that He knows when He shall return!

The World will be Corrupt at the Time of His Return

Jesus declared that (Matthew 24:37-38):

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.”

That is, it will seem like any other day to those on earth at the time; however, it will also be thoroughly corrupt. For at the time of Noah (Genesis 6:5):

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

HCC Doctrinal Statement on Eschatology

“We believe in the blessed hope that Jesus Christ will return to this earth, personally, visibly, and imminently, in power and great glory, to gather His elect, to raise the dead, to judge the nations and to bring His kingdom to fulfillment.”

This doctrinal statement allows for many different eschatological views; however, it rules out at least one: Pantelism [See Preterism and Futurism at the bottom of this blog entry].

Remember : maintain unity on the essentials and focus on Christ (Philippians 2:1-11)!

The Question : Why Bother Studying Eschatology?

Revelation 1:3 : “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 : “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Application

1 John 2:28 : Abide in Him – The children of God will abide in Jesus (1 John 2:24); however, this is not a passive abiding. It’s active. It’s participatory, as explained in the following verse.

1 John 2:29 : Practice Righteousness – Note John’s description of those who are born again: they practice righteousness, i.e., they obey Jesus’ commands. Obedience is a consequence of salvation; this is one of the characteristics of a child of God (1 John 2:5):

“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

The exhortation to actively abide in Christ, to persevere until death or until He comes again, is throughout Scripture. For example:

2 Peter 1:1-11 : Be Diligent

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Christians should be diligent in the practice of their faith (see also Hebrews 11:6), and thus be assured of their salvation. For many shall appear to follow Christ for a short time, and then fall away, demonstrating that they never were indeed saved (e.g., 1 John 2:19 and Hebrews 6:4-6).

Matthew 24:42-44 : Watch and be Ready!

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

2 Timothy 4:1-5 : Preach the Word!

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The Reasons

That We May Have Confidence

In what? Confidence that we are saved and will indeed rise or be raptured when He comes, be changed, and ultimately enter into the fullness of His presence and kingdom! Confidence that we shall receive His promises (Hebrews 10:35-38):

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

That We May Not be Ashamed

Jesus was quite particular about shame (Mark 8:38):

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

A person who claims to be a Christian yet doesn’t characteristically abide in Christ and thus bear fruit characteristic of those born of the Spirit of God isn’t likely a Christian and thus will likely be ashamed when the Son of Man comes to gather His saints. Christians, however, trust in the Lord and shall not be ashamed (Psalm 25:1-5):

“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.”

Summary

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again! Therefore, if you claim to have faith in Him, then trust in Him; diligently abide in Him; follow Him; practice righteousness; TODAY, that you may have confidence, and not be ashamed at His coming! As it is written (Revelation 22:20):

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Reference

[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/2.htm

Suggested Reading on Eschatology

[2] R.C.Sproul, “The Last Days According to Jesus,” Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 1998.
[3] C.E.Armerding and W.Ward Gasque, “A Guide to Biblical Prophecy,” Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, 1992.

Suggested Reading on Practicing Righteousness

[4] A.W.Tozer, “That Incredible Christian : How Heaven’s Children Live on Earth,” Christian Publications, Inc., Camp Hill, 1964.
[5] A.W.Tozer, “Success and the Christian : The Cost of Spiritual Maturity,” Christian Publications, Inc., Camp Hill, 1994.
[6] J.Bridges, “The Pursuit of Holiness,” NavPress, Colorado Springs, 1996.

Reminder

The best “collection of books” on eschatology and the practice of righteousness is, and always will be, The Holy Bible. Therefore, if you choose to read any of the aforementioned suggested books, read them through the lens of Scripture, separate the wheat from the chaff, and be edified!

Preterism and Futurism

Preterism – The Kingdom is a Present Reality

There are two forms of Preterism:

o Full Preterism (Pantelism) – This is the view that all prophecies in the New Testamant have been fulfilled, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It requires massive allegorization of a large volume of Scripture, and has led to some heresy. For example, many pantelists are also universalists, and universalism is anathema. From the Pantelist perspective, Christ is NOT coming again! Therefore, I personally reject this view as unbiblical.

o Moderate (Partial) Preterism – This is the view that many prophecies in the New Testamant have already been fulfilled, at least in part, but many crucial prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. From this perspective, Christ IS coming again!

Futurism – The Kingdom is a Future Reality

This is the view that most New Testamant prophecies (including those in Matthew 24) have yet to be fulfilled.

Dual Fulfillment

The Kingdom of God is a Present (Incomplete) Reality and a Future (Complete) Reality

Antichrists, Us and You

1 John 2:18-27

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

19 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 they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

The Antichrist is Coming

For more on the Antichrist and his coming, check out The Last Hour, Antichrists, and the Antichrist.

Antichrists and Us

2:18b Many antichrists have come

• Antichrist = opposed to, or trying to supplant, Jesus Christ. And just as there were many antichrists in John’s day, there are many antichrists in the world today.

2:19a They went out from us

• They? These are the antichrists.

• Us? This refers to the Christian community (possibly even from the local body to whom John originally wrote). Us possibly also refers to John and the other apostles. For example, note the contrast with you in 2:20-2:21. The apostle Paul likewise warned of antichrists who brought false teaching purportedly on behalf of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

2:19b but they were not of us

• of? The transliteration of the Greek is “ex” meaning “out of” or “out from within.” Note that Jesus used the same root word when He stated that Christians are not “of” the world (John 17:14). The implication is that of means of the same intrinsic substance or nature. Thus;

• What does this mean? They (these antichrists) were not actually part of the Christian community, and not apostles or representatives of the apostles. The rest of the verse brings further clarity:

2:19c For if they had been of us, (then) they would have continued with us

• This is a conditional statement.

Meaning, if the antichrists truly were of us, of the same nature, then they would have continued (remained). The root word for continued is μένω (men’-o) which is often translated “to abide / dwell.” This can be understood in two ways:

1. If these antichrists were truly of apostolic origin (if they had truly been abiding with the apostles), then they would have taught in accord with apostolic doctrine (1 John 4:6); and/or

2. The implicit doctrine here is the perseverance of the saints. That is, saints WILL abide with Christ (John 8:34-36):

“Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides (μένω) forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’”

However, those who aren’t saints but still gather for a time in the Christian community will eventually fall away (Hebrews 6:4-6), apparently just like these antichrists.

2:19d but they went out

• Why?

2:19e that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

These antichrists departed that it would be manifest that none of them “were” of us. The word “were” (or “are” depending on translations) refers to a state of “being” or “existence” and not some temporary state, indicating that these antichrists never were of us (part of the body of Christ) though they may have appeared to be at some time.

2:22a Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

• These antichrists are liars.

• Why? They “deny” that Jesus is the (the definite article) Christ, God’s appointed Savior.

• What does it mean to deny in this verse? To claim that He is not the Christ (to reject Him as revealed in Scripture from one or more perspectives, such as denial that He is Savior or Lord)! It may also refer specifically to the docetists who deny the Incarnation (1 John 1:1-2) and thus the whole Gospel.

2:22b-2:23a This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father.

• What’s one key consequence of denying that Jesus is the Christ? Said person doesn’t have the Father either. Meaning, that he/she isn’t saved and has not inherited eternal life.

• What are some examples of those who claim to have the Father yet they deny the Son?

o Judaism teaches that a Messiah is coming, but that it isn’t / wasn’t Jesus!

o Islam teaches that Jesus was Messiah, but that he did not atone for sin on the cross (see The Kingdom of the Cults, p. 622-623).

o Christian Science has a concept of a “Supreme Being” and explicitly denies that Jesus the physical man was the Christ (see The Kingdom of the Cults, p. 259)

2:26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

• What is a key characteristic of these antichrists? Deception! As John later wrote (2 John 7):

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

You

2:18a Little children

• John is addressing his little children (παιδίον). Note that this is the same word used in 1 John 2:13. Although παιδίον may refer to children up to seven years of age, it is likely being used figuratively in this context by John to refer to Christians as beloved children of God, possibly who are maturing in their faith but still have much to know and understand.

2:23b he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

• What’s the implication? These little children acknowledge, and thus belong to and have, both Christ and the Father. Recall John’s previous encouragement to then (1 John 2:13b):

“I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.”

• As Jesus once said (John 14:6-9a):

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.’”

2:20a But you have an anointing from the Holy One

• Who is “you”? They’re defined by a key characteristic, i.e., they have an anointing — χρίσμα (khris’-mah). This word is related to that for Christ — Χριστός (khris-tos’) — which means The Anointed One. It’s as if John is saying:

Those who believe that Jesus is The Anointed One are themselves Anointed!

• Who is the Holy One? The root word for “Holy One” is ἅγιος (hag’-ee-os), meaning holy, i.e., like God and thus different from the world, or set apart by God from sin. The (definite article) Holy One is thus the Holy Spirit.

2:27a But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you

• What does this mean? Christians are individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16) temples of the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father (John 14:26) and the Son (John 15:26).

• As Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:13-14):

“In Him (i.e., Christ … see 1:12) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

As John later wrote (1 John 3:24b):

“And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

2:20b-2:21 and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

• Is John referring to the omniscience of Christians? Certainly not!

• What does John mean in these verses (1 John 2:27)? Possibly that they already know what John has been writing about in this epistle, such that it is merely a reminder. Yet it seems not limited to just that:

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

This can be understood in view of the apostle Paul’s teaching (1 Corinthians 2:9-12):

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

That is to say, John is affirming his primary audience that they were indeed Christians and thus baptized by the Spirit of God, such that the Spirit would bear witness to the truth from within them.

2:24b If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

• What does this conditional statement mean? It’s likely descriptive. If you’re a Christian, then at some point (the beginning of your Christian life) you heard and believed the word of God — for faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) — one consequence of which is that the Holy Spirit and His word began to abide in you, a second consequence of which is that you will abide in the Son and the Father (you will abide in the Godhead). This is another way of declaring the perseverance of the saints.

2:25 And this is the promise that He promised us – eternal life.

• ζωή (dzo-ay’) – The root word for life means both physical and spiritual life (both present and future). It’s different than bios which refers to the present physical life (e.g., see 1 John 2:16).

• What’s the promise? Christians have eternal life, now!

Application (for “You”)

2:24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.

• What does this mean? “let that abide” is an imperative tense, it’s a command to “you,” those who already have the anointing from the Holy Spirit. I think that it means to not resist that which abides in you, to not be complacent, but to persevere and actively embrace and submit to Him! Why, in order to bear forth much fruit, to the glory of God, for our joy (John 15:1-11):

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

• This is one of the primary reasons that John wrote this epistle (1 John 1:1-4)!

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

References

[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/2-18.htm

[2] W.Martin (Hank Hanegraaff, Editor), “The Kingdom of the Cults,” Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, 1997.

The Last Hour, Antichrists, and the Antichrist

1 John 2:18

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”

The Audience

Little Children – John is addressing his little children (παιδίον). Note that this is the same word used in 1 John 2:13. Although παιδίον may refer to children up to seven years of age, it is likely being used figuratively in this context by John to refer to Christians as beloved children of God, possibly who are maturing in their faith but still have much to know and understand.

It is the Last Hour

Last – The root Greek word used for last is ἔσχατος (es’-khat-os), which literally means last, last things or the furthest, extreme end [1]. This is also the root word for eschatology, which means “the study of last things.”

Hour – The root Greek word used for hour is ὥρα (hora), which literally means an hour, or figuratively can mean a finite period of time or season, or a divinely predetermined time period [1].

What does John mean by “the last hour?”

Limiting ourselves to the meaning of the Greek words, the last hour likely refers to a last, climactic, finite, predetermined, period of time. However, the phrase “last hour” is used only in 1 John 2:18 and not elsewhere in Scripture (at least in the NKJV). So then:

What other phrases or concepts in Scripture might be synonymous with the “last hour” (from which we may gain insight into its meaning)?

The Last Days! This phrase is used in six verses in the NKJV, in which different aspects of the last days (or hour) are revealed:

• Genesis 49:1,10 – This prophecy by Jacob looks forward to the period of time in which the Messiah would come;

• Hebrews 1:2 – This is the period of time in which God clearly spoke through Jesus;

• Acts 2:17 – This is the era in which God outpoured (outpours) His Holy Spirit;

• 2 Timothy 3:1-4 – These are perilous times in which people will be thoroughly unholy;

• James 5:1-8 – It’s the era of loving mammon that culminates in the 2nd Advent of Jesus; and

• 2 Peter 3:1-4 – This is the time in which scoffers will come who walk by worldly lust and mock Christians prior to Jesus’ 2nd Advent!

How did John know that it was / is “the last hour (1 John 2:18)?”

Many antichrists have come!

How do we know today that it’s “the last hour” or “the last days”?

The world that we live in very neatly fits the descriptions in these seven verses!

Many Antichrists have Come

Anti – The prefix anti means opposed to or against, and it is clear that many have been antichrist (opposed to or against Christ) since the beginning of His Church. Take, for example:

Saul – Prior to his conversion (and transformation into the apostle Paul), Saul was actively opposed to Christ and His Church. As it is written:

• Acts 9:13 – “Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.’”

• Acts 9:26 – “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.”

• Phillipians 3:4b-6a – “If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church;”

The Pharisee Saul actively persecuted Christians to such an extent that they feared him and doubted his conversion (to Paul the disciple of Jesus)! Possibly this is one of the reasons that Paul seemed so humbled that God chose him — the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and self-described least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8a) — to preach the gospel of grace to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8b). As another example consider …

Nero – In the first century A.D., Emperor Nero may have initiated the first known mass persecution of Christians by the Romans, apparently to shift blame for the burning of Rome, of which he was personally accused:

“Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired (Tacitus, Annals, 15:44).”

Therefore, know and understand this, that many antichrists have come and exist in the world today, some of whom “simply” reject Christ as Messiah and King (1 John 2:22), and some of whom actively engage in the persecution of God’s people. As it is written (2 Timothy 3:12):

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

That said, Christians should not forget that which was spoken by the Lord Jesus (John 16:33):

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

I think that for this reason John wrote (prior to 1 John 2:18) that (1 John 2:14):

“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

It’s important to remember that though Satan may have limited authority to wreak havoc on earth for a short time, those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus have already overcome the wicked one!

The Antichrist is Coming

Who is he? When is he coming? How will we know how to identify him? The answers to these questions aren’t entirely explicit in Scripture, in particular as the term “antichrist” is exclusive to 1 John. However, there are related passages in which he is referred to by other names. In this regard, let’s take a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9:

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.”

2 Thessalonians 2:1

What two things is Paul primarily writing about?

• The coming of the Lord (His 2nd advent); and
• Our gathering together to Him (the Rapture)

Remember: John’s use of “the last hour” likely refers to the finite, limited period of time which culminates in the 2nd advent of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:2-2:3

According to Paul, in ca. 51 A.D. (the time of this letter), had the “Day of Christ” already come?

No!

Why is Paul writing about these two things?

So that Christians would not be deceived, which was also a concern of John (1 John 2:26)
It appears that there were false teachers (spirits – see 1 John 4:1), claiming to speak on behalf of the apostles, spreading false doctrine by letter and by word! The apostle Paul even names two of these false teachers: Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18).

2 Thessalonians 2:3-2:8a

That day (the 2nd Advent of Christ) will not come unless (or until) three things take place:

2:3 – the falling away (NKJV), rebellion (ESV/NIV), great rebellion (NLT), or apostacy (NASB) comes first. The Greek word is ἀποστασία (ap-os-tas-ee’-ah) and means a “defection from the truth” or “abandonment of faith” [1].

What could this be referring to?

• 1 Timothy 4:1 / Matthew 24:12 – Widespread deception in the church?
• Revelation 13:8 – Worship of the Beast from the Sea (the Antichrist)?

2:7 – He (he) who now restrains will be taken away. What / who does He (he) restrain? By implication, the man of sin. And who could possibly be strong enough to restrain Satan or his Antichrist? Only God. Thus many, including myself, infer from this passage that He who now restrains is the Holy Spirit, and His taking away refers to removal of His restraint from Satan, thereby effectively granting him authority “to make war with the saints and to overcome them (Revelation 13:7).”

2:3/ 2:8a – And then the man of sin (lawlessness) shall be revealed. This is the Antichrist!

The Antichrist

2 Thessalonians 2:4

He has / will have a unique view of himself. He will claim to be God, will seek worship, and will receive global worship (Revelation 13:8)!

2 Thessalonians 2:9

He has / will have power to perform signs / miracles!

2 Thessalonians 2:9

His power has / will have a unique origin : Satan!

2 Thessalonians 2:8

His time is limited: the Lord will ultimately consume him in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10)!

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Where will the Antichrist most likely be revealed?

The temple! The Greek root word — ναός (nah-os’) — means “to dwell” and thus this word typically refers to the sanctuary or a holy dwelling place [1]. In the New Testament ναός is used to refer to the literal, physical, temple of God in Jerusalem (John 2:20), as well as to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Knowing that Paul wrote his epistles prior to 70 A.D., the year in which the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, this leaves us with at least four possible interpretations of Paul’s writing:

1) The Antichrist was revealed prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. This seems highly unlikely, as many events detailed in Scripture revolving around the Antichrist and his coming, such as Revelation 13, have not yet happened on the world stage.

2) The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. This seems plausible, in particular in light of the fact that there are several groups, such as The Temple Institute, who are actively pursuing the rebuilding of the temple [2].

3) The Antichrist is a “nominally Christian” leader who has emerged or will emerge from the church. This also seems plausible.

4) Paul was wrong. But I completed disregard this option (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

Application

How should Christians apply this understanding of 1 John 2:18? Watch! Stay sober! Comfort and edify one another! Preach the word! Evangelize! Pray for the return of Jesus! As it is written:

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).”

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5).”

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!”

References

[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/2-18.htm

[2] http://www.templeinstitute.org/

Don’t Love this Fading World!

1 John 2:15-17

The Positive Command : Love

The apostle John wrote the following (1 John 2:3):

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

In this regard, the two greatest commandments in the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:1-5 / Leviticus 19:18) were identified by Jesus (Matthew 22:34-40):

“But when the Pharisees heard that He (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him,‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’”

[For more on that topic, see Obeying His Commands]. A few verses thereafter in 1 John, John also wrote (1 John 2:8a,10a):

“Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you … He who loves (ἀγαπῶν) his brother abides in the light.”

The new commandment that John wrote about is most likely the same about which Jesus spoke (John 13:34):

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love (ἀγαπᾶτε) one another; as I have loved (ἠγάπησα) you, that you also love (ἀγαπᾶτε) one another.”

The three words for love in John 13:34 are all derived from the same root word — ἀγαπάω (ag-ap-ah’-o) — which means to love, embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power; or actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction). And as Jesus loved His disciples sacrificially, so too should Christians be willing to love one another sacrificially [for more on that topic see Love One Another].

The Negative Command : Do Not Love

After encouraging the disciples to whom he was writing [see Children of God have and will Overcome the Wicked One], John wrote the following [1 John 2:15-17]:

“Do not love (ἀγαπᾶτε) the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves (ἀγαπᾷ) the world, the love (ἀγάπη) of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

The word used for love — ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate) — is an active present imperative form of ἀγαπάω (ag-ap-ah’-o). Why is use of the imperative case relevant? To indicate that this is a command. What does use of the active present tense indicate? That this love is something that occurs in the present. So then, what are people commanded not to love?

• The world (κόσμον); and
• The things in the world (κόσμῳ)

WAIT A MINUTE! Didn’t Jesus say that (John 3:16):

“For God so loved (ἠγάπησεν) the world (κόσμον) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God Himself loved the world, but He commands us to not love the world? What’s the deal? The key to understanding this apparent contradiction is context. That is, in John 3:16, Jesus is speaking of God’s unconditional, perfect love for His creation, in particular His creatures that bear His image. In this regard, “God demonstrates His own love (ἀγάπην) toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” Conversely, in 1 John 2:15-17, God is referring to the world in a negative context, commanding us to avoid the Satanic system of the world (1 John 5:19), its temptations, corruptions and vices.

The World and the Things of the World

What’s so wrong with the world (1 John 2:16)?

• The lust of the flesh (NKJV,NASB,NIV) or desires of the flesh (ESV)
• The lust of the eyes (NKJV,NASB,NIV) or desires of the eyes (ESV); and
• The pride of life (NKJV,NIV), boastful pride of life (NASB), or pride in possessions (ESV)
• None of which are of the Father (or consistent with His nature).

What’s “lust (desire)”?

ἐπιθυμία (ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah) means lust or passionate desire and it is used in both positive and negative ways in Scripture [1]. In 1 John 2:16, it’s clearly used in a negative way. Consider also, for example, James 1:14-15:

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (ἐπιθυμίας) and enticed. Then, when desire (ἐπιθυμία) has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

What is “the lust (desire) of the flesh”?

σαρκὸς (sarkos) literally means flesh or human nature and it is used in both positive and negative ways in Scripture [1]. The expression “the lust of the flesh” could specifically refer to illicit bodily appetites, but it could also more figuratively refer to all sinful desires that aren’t from God and haven’t been taken captive and held obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

What is “the lust (desire) of the eyes”?

ὀφθαλμός (of-thal-mos’) literally means an eye or figuratively “the mind’s eye [1].” The expression “the lust of the eyes” likely refers to unhealthy (sinful) coveting.

What is “the (boastful) pride of life” or “pride in possessions”?

ἀλαζονεία (al-ad-zon-i’-a) is used only here in the entire New Testament, and it means boasting or ostentatious display (that which attempts to attract attention to oneself) [1].

What should be a Christian’s perspective (2 Corinthians 10:17)?

Boast in the Lord!

It’s interesting and important to note that these worldly problems have existed since the beginning of humanity (Genesis 3:1-6)

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God (the pride of life), knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make one wise (the pride of life), she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Eve and Adam knew (in a factual sense) that God had commanded them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Eve, being deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), chose to trust in Satan rather than God and indulge herself in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Adam chose to heed the words of his wife instead of those of God (Genesis 3:17). In both cases, John’s point in 1 John 2:15 is the following:

DON’T DO THAT!

Children of God vs Children of the World

A survey of 1 John 2:3-17 reveals differences in characteristics between children of God and children of the world (some are explicit, and some are derived via inference):

A Child of God:

• keeps His commandments;
• has the truth is in him/her;
• has the love of God perfected in him/her;
• walks as Jesus walked;
• loves Christians;
• is forgiven of his/her sins;
• knows God experientially;
• has overcome the wicked one;
• is strong in God’s mighty power;
• doesn’t love the world;
• has the love of the Father is in him / her;
• doesn’t have the lust of the eyes and flesh, and the pride of life; and
• has eternal life.

Conversely, a child of the world:

• doesn’t keep His commandments;
• doesn’t have the truth is in him/her;
• doesn’t have the love of God perfected in him/her;
• doesn’t walk as Jesus walked;
• doesn’t love Christians;
• doesn’t have forgiveness of his/her sins;
• doesn’t know God experientially;
• hasn’t overcome the wicked one;
• isn’t strong in God’s mighty power;
• loves the world;
• doesn’t have the love of the Father is in him / her;
• has the lust of the eyes and flesh, and the pride of life; and
• doesn’t have eternal life!

Two Perspectives on 1 John 2:15-17

In 1 John 1, John often used the word “we” as if to indicate that the primary audience of the letter was of the same “group” as he and the other apostles, i.e., Christian. And in the immediately preceding verses (1 John 2:12-14) John was most likely referring to his fellow disciples of Christ through use of words such as little children, children, young men, and fathers. So then, how do we interpret 1 John 2:15-17?

Identifying Worldly behavior Amongst Christians. In 1 John 2:1 John addressed the audience of the letter as his little children and specifically stated that he was writing this letter so that they wouldn’t sin (that they would be holy), thus indicating that he wrote the letter at least in part to address sin amongst Christians. In addition, 1 John 2:15 begins with the command to not love the world without a change of subject, as if John was indeed addressing the same people that he addressed in 1 John 2:12-14 (his little children, children, etc.). From this perspective, John is emphasizing in 1 John 2:15-17 that even those born of God still periodically succumb to sin (1 John 1:8) and manifest the characteristics of those not born of God, thereby damaging their witness for Jesus, damaging their fellowship with God and other Christians, and thus diminishing or suppressing the joy of the Lord, both of which John desires for the audience to have (1 John 1:3-4). In other words, if a Christian engages in love of the world or the things of the world, it inhibits, damages, or ruins The Joy Ride!

Distinguishing between Authentic and Nominal / Non-Christians. John’s use of the word τις (tis) — translated as “anyone” — in 1 John 2:15b could indicate that he was broadening the scope of his remarks to encompass both Christians and non-Christians. In this sense, in particular when viewed in the broader contrasts in 1 John 2, these verses could be descriptive characteristics used to facilitate distinguishing between Christians and non-Christians, or possibly even Christians and nominal Christians who “associate” and “congregate” with the body of Christ but who aren’t actually born again.

This World is Passing Away

In the beginning, the earth was … (Genesis 1:1-2)?

Without form and void (i.e., order).

So, what did God do (Genesis 1:3-30)?

He gave it order!

And after God created order, everything was (Genesis 1:31)?

Very good!

Yet after Adam succumbed to the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life, what happened (Genesis 3:16-19)?

Death, disorder and decay entered the world!

What’s the present status of creation (Romans 8:20-22)?

It’s in bondage to futility and corruption / decay, groaning and waiting for deliverance! It’s passing away (1 John 2:17)!

What’s the ultimate fate of creation (Matthew 5:18; 2 Peter 3:10)?

It WILL pass away!

What’s in store thereafter (Revelation 21:1-5)?

A new creation in which there is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain!

Summary

Don’t love this fading world or the things of this fading world; rather, love the Lord, love your neighbor, and love your siblings in the body of Christ as Jesus Himself loved us!

Application Questions

1. Review the preceding comparisons in Children of God vs Children of the World and then examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5): Which characteristics best describe you? How have these characteristics changed in you over time? Are you becoming increasingly holy (sanctified)? Or are you becoming increasingly more like a child of the world?

2. Are there any “worldly” things that captivate you (in which you invest much thought, time or $)? If so, which? Why?

3. Are there any fleshly desires with which you struggle? If so, which? Why?

4. Is there something about which you’ve boasted or been boasting? If so, what? Why?

5. Is there something that you need to confess?

6. Is it time to clear the temple? [2]

References

[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/2.htm

[2] Iain Whitfield, “It’s Time to Clear the Temple,” Hope Christian Church, 13 November 2011.

[3] Do download this post in *.doc format, click here.