What Is Real Love? A Guide to 1 JohnSample

1 John 2:18-23

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:18-23 NLT

Pray: Our Father, thank you for making your mercy available to us through Jesus. Lord Jesus, I want my whole life to be a reflection of the love you’ve shown to me. Holy Spirit, give me the power to love you and love others like Jesus does. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There’s a lot packed in this passage: the last hour, the antichrist, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and even how to know if someone is telling the truth about their faith. Don’t let that overwhelm you though. As we walk through the Scripture today, one piece at a time, you’ll start to see how it all fits together and what we can do to respond to the truth revealed. Let’s jump in.

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.

First, when John says, “the last hour is here,” what does he mean? Because if the last hour was almost 2000 years ago when John wrote this, then how are we still here?

According to the Bible, history can be measured in two primary stages:

Stage 1: The Present Age.

Stage 2: The Age to Come.

The Present Age is the stage of history we currently exist in (that’s why it’s called the present age). In the Present Age, all of creation is suffering from the curse of sin and death and the devil is still actively working against the things of God.

In the Age to Come, sin, death, and the devil will all be defeated, once and for all. Heaven and earth will be reunited. Our relationship with God will be fully restored and we will be united with Him eternally in the New Creation.

When John says, “the last hour is here…” he is showing that because of Jesus, the Present Age is drawing to a close, and the Age to Come is breaking in. This is why some Bible experts describe the Kingdom of God as “now and not yet”. In His life, Jesus brought the Kingdom of God with Him. The proof of this can be seen in the miracles He performed. He forgave sins. He raised the dead. He cast out demons and overcame the devil. Wherever He went, life and freedom followed. Heaven was there. The rule and reign of God began taking root in history. It’s here in part, but it’s not yet here in full. It’s now, but it’s not yet.

The fullness of the Age to Come and the Kingdom of God here on earth won’t arrive until Jesus returns. When He does return, all the promises of God will be fulfilled. The old will be made new, heaven and earth will become one, and all of Creation will be filled with the glory of God.

When John says “the last hour is here”, he’s not talking about a literal sixty minute unit of time. He’s describing how The Present Age is being pushed out because the Age to Come is breaking in. Now, you may be asking the question, “But why is it taking so long?” To answer that, we’re going to pull in some words from the Apostle Peter:

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT

God wants to give as much time as possible so as many people as possible will repent of their sins and return to Him. Because He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to be saved. This is the reason we are still waiting for Jesus’ glorious return. Because God is merciful and He wants everyone to have time to respond to His mercy.

Next, John tells us:

19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

Remember the context: some members of this community had abandoned the church, ignored God’s commands, but still claimed to belong to God. Here, John is pointing out that these people weren’t ever really a part of the family because their faith was never actually genuine. They were just putting on a show. And the proof they were faking it was proven by their total lack of obedience to God and love for others.

20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

John wants his readers to know that they are different. Their faith is real. They have been filled by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is guiding them to know the truth and live in the truth.

Don’t miss this. If you have placed your trust in Jesus, and you are doing your best to follow in His footsteps, then these words are for you too. You have been filled by the Spirit. Your faith is real. And God will continue to reveal more and more of the truth of His love for you.

21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

John wants his intentions to be clear. He’s writing to the faithful believers because they know the truth and have remained in the truth.

22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.

Oftentimes, when the topic of the “Antichrist” comes up, what gets said is a pretty large departure from what the Bible teaches. According to John, the antichrist is anyone who says Jesus is not the Christ (Christ means “Savior-King”), and anyone who denies God the Father and God the Son.

We would suggest, based on the context of everything else John has been saying in this letter, that denying the Father and the Son is about more than just what we say. It extends to how we live. Throughout this letter, John has been insistent that our faith, if it’s real, will always be more than just empty words. Denying God doesn’t just mean saying He’s not real or He’s not God. Denying God means rejecting His rule over our lives by disobeying the commands He’s given us.

23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

If you deny the Father, you’re denying the Son. Because the Father and the Son are one. God is a Trinity. He is three distinct persons united as one being (Father, Son, and Spirit). Because of this, denying one means denying the other. And it also means that having faith in one is to have faith in the other. Because God is One. When you said yes to Jesus, you were united with Him, adopted by the Father, and filled by the Spirit.

Which is right up God’s alley. Because He is generous and loving to the core. He always gives us more than what we ask for.

Application: Reflect on and discuss these questions: 1. How does understanding the different stages of history (The Present Age and the Age to Come) affect the way you think about your life? 2. How does understanding the three-and-one nature of God change the way you think about the way you relate to Him?