Aug29-Sep4: Confidence

Teaching Points

1. What can we be confident about? (1 John 5:13-21)

ANSWER: Observe following five verses on confidence (for sure we know)

• 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
• 1 John 5:14, 15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
• 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
• 1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
• 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

OBSERVATION:

• 1 John 5:13 For sure we know that if we believe in the name of the Son of God then we have eternal life.
• 1 John 5:14, 15 For sure we know that if we ask according to God's will then He will hear our prayers.
• 1 John 5:18 For sure we know that if we are born of God then we can overcome sin and God will protect us.
• 1 John 5:19 For sure we know that if we are born of God then we are of God.
• 1 John 5:20 For sure we know that the Son of God has come to give us an understanding so that we may know Him and abide in Jesus. Jesus is the true God and He is eternal life.

2. According to John, what is the condition of having eternal life? (1 John 3:15)

ANSWER: The condition of having eternal life is not hating your brother.

• 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

OBSERVATION:

• Compare above verse with 1 John 5:13.
• 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
• According to 1 John 5:13, if we believe on the name of the Son of God then we have eternal life. However if we hate our brother then we do not have eternal life. Therefore if we believe on the name of the Son of God then we should love our brother. Therefore if you believe then you have love. If you have love then you want to keep God's commandments. (1 John 5:3)
• Based upon above connection, we cannot be presumptuous about having an unconditional guarantee salvation. Why? Because love your brother is a daily matter. We need Jesus everyday in order to love everyday.

3. What is "sin not unto death"? (1 John 5:14-17)

ANSWER: Sin not unto death is sin of ignorance. You will not be punished for the sins of ignorance. We will be judged based upon what we know. Not based upon what we do not know.

• John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
• Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent

OBSERVATION:

• We should pray that God will grant "life" for those who are ignorant.

4. What is "sin unto death"?

ANSWER: Sin unto death is sin with the knowledge of sin. This type of sin will lead you to eternal death.

• Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

OBSERVATION:

• "Sin unto death" sounds like willful sin and out right rebellion to God's law.
• It is according to God's will that we should make "petitions"(1 John 5:15) for those who are ignorant. However we should not pray that God will give "life" to those who are willfully sinning against God. What type of "life" is this? We only have two choices; probationary life and eternal life. Probationary life is already given to all people. Therefore I would like to suggest eternal life. However it is not so easy to give a definite answer here.

DISCUSSION:

• So do you think the word "life" in 1 John 5:16 is probationary life or eternal life? Or something else?

5. Who is "born of God" and "begotten of God" in 1 John 5:18-19?

• KJV 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

ANSWER: "Born of God" is born again Christians and "Begotten of God" is Jesus

• Compare with following versions of the Bible.
• God’s Word 1 John 5:18 We know that those who have been born from God don't go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can't harm them.
• BBE 1 John 5:18 We are certain that one who is a child of God will do no sin, but the Son of God keeps him so that he is not touched by the Evil One.

OBSERVATION:

• When we are born of God, we become like Jesus ("Begotten of God") in that we do not go on sinning. However Jesus is the One who can help us to overcome sin and protect us from the wicked one.

6. According to 1 John 5:20, who is the true God and eternal life?

ANSWER: Yes, both the Father and the Son are the true God and eternal life. However Jesus is the true God and eternal life in this text.

OBSERVATION:

• Who is the true God?
• Jesus said the only true God is the Father John 17:3 However observe the following verses.
• True God is the Living God
• 1 Thess. 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
• Jere. 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation
• Who is the Living God?
• The Father is called the Living God
• John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God
• The Son is called the Living God
• 1 Tim. 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
• One thing for sure, the Living God is the Creator.
• Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein
• Who is the Creator of heaven and earth?
• One that dwells between the cherubim
• Isa. 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
• Who is the one that dwells between the cherubim?
• Psa. 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth
• Who is the Shepherd and the Creator?
• Jesus is the Shepherd.
• Heb. 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant
• John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
• Matt. 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
• Jesus is the Creator.
• John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
• Col. 1:14-16 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
• According 1 John, who is "the eternal life"?
• 1 John 1:1, 2 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, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
• 1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son
• Since John was trying to show that Jesus is Christ (God) in the Gospel of John (John 20:31) and in the first Epistle first John as well (1 John 2:22 and 1 John 5:1), therefore it seems obvious that John is making a conclusion with this final thought by saying Jesus is the true God.

7. Why should we keep ourselves from idols?

ANSWER: Idol worship hinders us from hearing, seeing, looking and touching Jesus.

• Ps. 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
  

OBSERVATION:

• We should not worship idols because the Bible says, "they that make them are like unto them." What does the Bible says about the idol? They have eyes but cannot see, they have hands but cannot touch, and etc. Therefore if we trust in idols then though we have eyes but cannot see spiritually, though we have ears but cannot hear spiritually, and though we have hands but cannot touch spiritually. If this is true then we cannot really hear, see, and touch the Word of Life. And if we cannot see, hear, and touch Jesus then we cannot be a part of the fellowship of the light.

CONCLUSION:

• Here is the bottom line. We need to meet Jesus with "confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." 1 John 2:28 This confidence comes from the fact that "our heart condemn us not" 1 John 3:21 How is it possible that our heart does not condemn us? Our heart does not condemn us because "we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him" 1 John 3:19 And the "truth" is to love your brother with self-sacrifice love. 1 John 3:17-18. This type of love comes from Christ therefore "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• How do you prepare for the Second Coming of Christ?
• In what way do you practice self-sacrificing love to others?
• What idol in your life is causing you to be blind and deaf to Christ?
• How do you maintain your confidence in God every day?

Aug22-28: Believing in the Son of God

Who can overcome the world?

1. Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God can overcome the world.

• 1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

OBSERVATION:

• According to John's writings, it is very important to know and to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Notice John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name

QUESTION:

• How could believing that Jesus is the Son of God help us to overcome the world?

2. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God means you are born of God. And those who are born of God can overcome the world.

• 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
• 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice the following verses on "born of God"
• 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
• 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
• 1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

QUESTION:

• What does it mean to overcome the world? What world?

3. "World" is lust and pride.

• 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

OBSERVATION:

• Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6)
• Naturally it is impossible to overcome the world because we are born of the flesh. Therefore we must be born of the Spirit (born of God) so that we can overcome the world. And we can be born of God if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

QUESTION:

• How did John explain that Jesus is the Son of God?

4. Jesus was vindicated as the Son of God at His baptism and at the cross.

• 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

OBSERVATION:

• "by water" means baptism of Jesus.
• "blood" means the death of Jesus on the cross.
• Why baptism and the cross prove that Jesus is the Son of God or the Messiah?
• The prophecy in Daniel chapter 9 explains this. 70 weeks prophecy clearly shows the timing of the anointing (baptism) of the Messiah and the "cut off"(death) of the Messiah. (Dan. 9:24-26). Therefore this is the strong prove that Jesus is the Son of God based upon the Bible prophecy.

INTERESTING POINTS:

• At Jesus' baptism, the Father made the announcement that Jesus is the Son of God. Matt. 3:17 "This is my beloved Son"
• At Jesus' death, the centurion made the confession that Jesus is the Son of God. Matt. 27:54 "Truly this was the Son of God."

QUESTION:

• What does it mean to believe on the Son of God?

5. Believe on the Son of God means to have the Son of God.

• 1 John 5:10-12 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

OBSERVATION:

• Do you see the connection between "believeth on the Son of God" and "he that hath the Son"
• What does it mean to have the Son of God? I believe it is the same as God dwelling in us. 1 John 4:15 "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."
• What does it mean to dwell in God and God in us? It means to dwell in the love. 1 John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."
• Therefore when you have the Son of God, you dwell in love. Therefore if you believe on the Son of God then you are dwelling in His love.
• What does it mean to dwell in love? It means to love one another. 1 John 4:12 "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."
• What else? Read the next text. 1 John 4:13 "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." If you have the Son of God then God dwells in you. And God dwells in you is connected to receiving the Spirit of God. Notice how the following verse is very similar. 1 John 3:24 "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
• So, believe on the Son of God means means to have the love of God dwell in us. What does it mean to have the love of God dwell in us? It means to share your goods for the need of others. 1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

CONCLUSION:

• Who can overcome the world? Those that believe that Jesus is the Son of God. What happens when you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? You are born of God and God's love dwells in you. And when God's love dwells in you then you are willing to sacrifice your goods for the need of others. And this is how you can overcome your lust and pride. Therefore if you close up the "bowels of compassion" towards your brother then you do not believe in the Son of God and the world is in control over you.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• What is easier for you? Believe that Jesus is coming soon or to help your brother in need as soon as possible?
• Do you know any brother who is in need of your compassion?
• How do we allow God to dwell in us all the time?

Aug15-21: Loving Brothers and Sisters

Teaching Points

What is the message from the beginning?

1. The message from the beginning is "love one another"

• 1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

OBSERVATION:

• Love one another is connected to God's commandment and believing in the name of Jesus (1 John 3:23)
• Love one another is connected to born of God and knowing God (1 John 4:7)
• Love one another is connected to God dwelling in us and His love is perfected in us 1 (John 4:12)
• Therefore if we cannot love one another then we are not keeping His commandment, not believing in the name of Jesus, not born of God, do not know God, God does not dwell in us, and His love is not perfected in us. This makes the command, love one another, so important to us.

QUESTION:

• How should we love one another? What is love?

2. Love is self-sacrificing love

• 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

OBSERVATION:

• When the Bible says "love one another," it means to be willing to sacrifice your self for others. What motivates us to sacrifice self for others? This motivation comes from understanding God's self-sacrificing love for us. Therefore if we have a hard time sacrificing ourself for others then we need to behold the dying Savior on the cross first. This is the only way.

QUESTION:

• What would be a practical way to sacrifice ourself for others?

3. Self-sacrificing love is helping others with their need.

• 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

OBSERVATION:

• "Lay down our lives for the brethren" means to be willing to die for others. This would be a great sacrifice. However let's not talk about dying for others when we cannot help the need of others. Notice what Jesus says to the sheep in Matt. 25: 35-40 "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
• Therefore love one another is a type of love that fulfills the need of others. However this type of love needs to be revealed among the brethren first. Notice the text again, "seeth his brother have need"and in Matthew 25, "one of the least of these my brethren"
• This type of love is a sign of truly born of God.
• This type of love is in contrast to the character of antichrist.

QUESTION:

• How could we have assurance in our heart before God?

4. Our assurance is based upon self-sacrificing love living in us.

• 1 John 3:18, 19 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

OBSERVATION:

• We can have assurance in our heart before God because "we are of the truth." And we know that "we are of the truth" because we love "in deed and in truth." And "in deed and in truth" is connected to not closing up our "bowels of compassion" to those are in need. And we can show compassion to others because God dwells in us and we in God.
• Therefore our assurance is not based upon just an intellectual consent to the truth but rather living the life of true love. And this love will cast out fear (1 John 4:18). And this love is not made by man but God recreate this love in us as we put our trust in Him.
• This assurance is as same as "confidence" in 1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." "Abide in Him" is as same as "dwelleth in Him" in 1 John 3:24.
• John likes to repeat the same truth in many different ways so that we will not miss his point.

5. Love not as Cain

• 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

OBSERVATION:

• The message has been the same from the beginning-love one another. However the first murder was committed by Cain because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. So basically Cain persecuted Able because the obedience of Able rebuked the disobedience of Cain. It is not easy to love your brother when you are not living the life of obedience to God.
• I can see some similarities between Cain and the antichrist here. Cain had an altar for God. He had a time set aside to worship God. He brought gifts and offerings to God. He bowed down to worship God. He was expecting the blessings from God. But Cain's religious service was done according to his way and not the way of God. Perhaps Cain was hoping that God will overlook his disobedience for his sincere motives. However sincere and good motives maybe but they do not justify an act of sin.

CONCLUSION:

• Who belongs to the fellowship of the light? Those that have self-sacrificing love for one another.
• Who belongs to the fellowship of darkness? Those that have the spirit of Cain. Cain did not sacrifice himself rather he sacrificed his brother.

Aug8-14: Living as Children of God

Teaching Points

1. Notice how 1 John 2 ends with "born of him" topic.

• 1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

OBSERVATION:

• John is introducing "born of God' topic here.

2. "Born of God" means "Sons of God"

• John 1:12, 13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

OBSERVATION:

• See the differences between antichrists and those who are born of God. You will be able to conclude that antichrists are antichrists because they are not born of God yet they profess to be followers of Christ.

3. Observations from 1 John 3:1

• Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

OBSERVATION:

• "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God"-God's great love is reveal through how sinners can be sons of God.
• "Therefore the world knoweth us not"- The world does not know the sons of God because the sons of God do not love the world.
• "Because it knew him not"-The world does not know God because the life of the lust and the pride is contrary to God.

4. Observations from 1 John 3:2

• Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

OBSERVATION:

• "Beloved, now are we the sons of God"-We can become sons of God by faith today.
• "And it doth not yet appear what we shall be"-However we do not have the glorified and immortal body at this time.
• SOP: To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full of glory. ...Our lives should be hid with Christ in God; and although it "doth not yet appear what we shall be," "when Christ, who is our life, shall appear" (Col. 3:4), "we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." {AG 341.5}
• "But we know that, when he shall appear"-But at the Second Coming of Christ.
• "We shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" -We shall see Jesus in His glorified immortal human form and we shall be like Him with the same glorified immortal body.
• NOTE: Character transformation must take place before the Second Coming of Christ. The only transformation we are going to have at the Second Coming is the change from mortal body to immortal body.
• SOP: You must experience a death to self, and must live unto God. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Self is not to be consulted. Pride, self-love, selfishness, avarice, covetousness, love of the world, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, evil surmisings, must all be subdued and sacrificed forever. When Christ shall appear, it will not be to correct these evils and then give a moral fitness for His coming. This preparation must all be made before He comes. It should be a subject of thought, of study, and earnest inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? What shall be our conduct that we may show ourselves approved of God? {Mar 58.2}

5. Observations from 1 John 3:3

• And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

OBSERVATION:

• "And every man that hath this hope in him"-If you have this hope of (resurrection) immortality. (Acts 23:6, 24:15, 1 Pet. 1:3)
• "Purifieth himself"- This purification means committing no sin. See the next text, verse 4. This purification is connected to confessing our sins (1 John 1:9), rejecting worldliness (1 John 2:15), and showing love to one another (1 John 1:7 and 1 John 2:8-11).
• "Even as He is pure"-We can be pure as Jesus if we walk "even as He walked" 1 John 2:5

6. Jesus was manifested to take away our sins and to destroy the works of the devil.

• 1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
• 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

OBSERVATION:

• Jesus came to take away our sins(the guilt) through His sinless life. This is for our justification.
• Jesus came to destroy works of the devil(power of sin) through His obedient life. This is for our sanctification.
  

7. The deception is claiming justification without sanctification.

• 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

OBSERVATION:

• Connect "let no man deceive you" with "I written unto you concerning them that seduce you"1 John 2:26. This is deception is connected to the antichrist.
• What is the deception here? The opposite to "he that doeth righteousness is righteous"Therefore the deception is claiming righteous without doing righteousness. Claiming righteous is justification and doing righteousness is sanctification. Therefore the deception here is claiming justification without sanctification.

8. Born of God means "His seed remain"in the heart.

• 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

OBSERVATION:

• Compare 1 John 3:3, 9 with 1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
• Victory over sin is possible if the word of God abides in our hearts.

CONCLUSION:

• We need to be born of God so that we can overcome sin, we are ready for immortal body, and we are not seduced by the deceptions of antichrist. Love of God is in direct conflict with the love of the world. Antichrists verses the sons of God.

Aug1-7: Walking in the Light: Rejecting Antichrists

Teaching Points

1. John knows that he is living in the last time because "there are many antichrists" 1 John 2:18 John understood that antichrist will come before the end of the world or the second coming of Christ.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice who else taught the same thing in the Bible.
• Jesus Matt. 24:5, 24, 26
• Paul 2 Thess. 2:1-4
• Daniel Dan. 7:25-27

2. Antichrist according to the epistle of John

• 1 John 2:19 "They went out from us"-antichirists were among the true followers of Christ
• 1 John 2:19 "They were not of us"-antichrists could not be a part of the true fellowship of the light
• 1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar" -antichrist is a liar
• 1 John 2:22 "Denieth that Jesus is the Christ"-antichrists do not accept Jesus as the Messiah
• 1 John 2:22 Antichrists "denieth the Father and the Son" -very similar to Jude 4
• 1 John 4:3 "Confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" - antichrists accept false teaching of human nature of Christ
• 2 John 7 "This is a deceiver and an antichrist" -antichrist is a deceiver

OBSERVATION:

• Observe the flow of John's writing in 1 John. Antichrists were among the true believers of Christ but they were not a part of the true fellowship of the light because they walk in the darkness. According to John, walking in darkness is connected to having a false definition of sin. And a false definition of sin is connected to not keeping God's commandments (compare 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 2:4-"the truth is not in us" or "him"). And not keeping His commandments is connected to not having the love of God (1 John 2:5). And not having the love of God is as same as having the love of the world (1 John 2:15). Antichrists "were not of " the fellowship of the light because they love the things of the world. Antichrists deny "that Jesus is the Christ"(1 John 2:22) and at the same time antichrists deny the fact that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:3). Since antichrist is also a "deceiver" (2 John 7), he has a deceptive teachings about Jesus. What is that teaching? Jesus is not "the Christ", the only anointed one and Jesus is not exactly like human flesh.

3. John reveals his motive for writing the epistle. 1 John 2:24-29

• 1 John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

OBSERVATION:

• "seduce" means go astray, deceive, wander, be out of the way in Greek.
• Notice the word " abide" and "remain" in 1 John 2:24. Those two words are from the same Greek word, which means continue, dwell, endure, stand.
• 1 John 2:24 Abide in the truth ("which ye have heard from the beginning")
• 1 John 2:27 Abide in the Spirit ("the anointing")
• 1 John 2:28 Abide in Jesus (in the truth and the Spirit) until the coming of Jesus.
• Obviously John is making a clear contrast here. His point is remain in the truth and the Spirit until Jesus' coming and don't be seduced by antichrists' teachings.
• What could be one of seductive teachings of antichrist here? See 1 John 2:29 It is a teaching that says, 'you can be considered "born of Him" without doing the righteousness'.
  

CONCLUSION:

• Based upon my observation, 1 John 1 and 2 are talking about antichrist and it's characteristics. John makes it pretty clear why he is writing the letter. He does not want the followers of Christ to be seduced by the antichrist's teachings and beliefs.