All my life, I have heard people talk about the antichrist and who it might be. Speculation on this matter has caused men to write books, preach sermons, and the average Christian to keep watch for who this might be. Satan is very pleased with this approach to Christian living. Not one soul will be in Heaven because we sit around and speculate on who it is.
In I John 4:3 we see that anyone who does not confess that Jesus was God in the flesh has the spirit of the antichrist. Over 2000 years ago the Apostle John penned these words and at the end of verse 3 he says, “whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” The spirit of antichrist was in the world then and still is today.
I John 4:3 “And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
In I John 4:4, John writes to us as a father to his children. He reminds us that the One who dwells within us is greater than the antichrist of this world. There is no need to worry and fret and seek to identify the man who will one day rule this world and will be viewed as “The Antichrist.” If we are fully committed to Jesus, we may die a martyr’s death, but we will pass from this life to Heaven. This will be a glorious day for us.
I John 4:4-5 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”
So, where does the problem lie for us? Those of us who are Christians must prepare ourselves for this situation. We tend to isolate ourselves from anything that is controversial. We hunker down in our own world and act as if all is doing well. We are lulled into a state of complacency, and we are perfectly happy going about our daily lives with fun activities, church a few times a week, and plenty of food and shelter. We are not growing in our faith because we believe we are fine the way we are. Yet, in the realm of Christianity, you cannot stand still. You are either growing toward God or you are falling away from Him. We must be able to identify the things that slowly pull us away from God. We can become those that Paul speaks about in II Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” If we are not persevering and seeking to know God’s word more every day, we can be deceived. Those who are not anchored in the truth are easy prey for the devil.
I John 4:6 “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
In I John 4:1 we are told to try or test the spirits to see if they are of God or of Satan. The world is full of false prophets, and when we do not study God’s word and seek His guidance through study and prayer, we are easily deceived. Do not take any man’s word for a biblical truth without checking it out yourself. This is why in II Timothy 2:15 we are commanded to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In verse 16, we are commanded to “shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. To “shun” means to stay away from. Don’t even give them a second thought. Many philosophers and educated people are not interested in the truth; they are interested in being heard. It is their pleasure to get you to listen to them and question God’s word. delight is in getting you to listen to them and question God’s word. Many have been led astray by false prophets because of their charismatic personalities. This is Satan’s design to lead people away from God and to the antichrist.
I John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
While the world waits for the Antichrist to be identified, many who are against Christ are weaving their way into their homes. They are antichrist robed as friends, educators, entertainers, and sometimes family members or preachers. Study, pray, and seek God for wisdom. If your desire is to live for Him above all else, you will not fall prey to those who are against Him. Adhere to the words God gave Paul in Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
