Many antichrists

 

1 John 2:18-25

The beast from the abyss is what most of us, probably, connect to the Antichrist. An image from the book of Revelation, he's the final deceiver in the apocalypse that opposes Jesus. That is, in the final battle between God and this great enemy, the antichrist appears. But scripture includes mentions of antichrist in less direct ways as well. In Revelation, the Antichrist is a character in a narrative. In life, antichrists are right in front of us. Simply, an antichrist is anyone, anything opposed to Jesus. And this is how the New Testament labels false teachers. These teachers did not teach the truth of Jesus. They left their, supposed, faith in Jesus. They left the church of Jesus. As John says, "you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come" (1 John 2:18). Many Christians spend much attention and imagination determining who "the" antichrist is. We're sure which world leader or superstar must be the one. To be sure, everyone's been wrong so far. Unfortunately, we spend less time discerning what personal messages and values we consume. Many of these might be more antichrist than we imagine. They don't seem like much, but they don't lead us to grace or to experience God's freedom. In many ways, to use a term coined as early as the sixteenth century, they make us practical atheists. Practical atheists affirm a belief in God. They just don't live in ways that affirm a belief in God. There's no sense of discipleship. No focus on servanthood. And God tends to only be called on when there's a need. So, pay attention to what you read and watch. Notice what captures your attention and occupies your time. Are these things keeping you from knowing God? Do they speak against the holiness, love and virtue your faith affirms? Be careful because many antichrists can make us mini antichrists. Stay blessed...john