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The book of First John A Verse by Verse Study A. A maturing Christian is one who stands on the word of Christ and
is not lead away. 1. The whole book of 1st Johns deals with our maturity in Christ. 2. John has just stated four stages of growth in Christ. a. “little children” V. 12 this
comes from the Greek word Teknion pronounced tek-nee'-on and it means an infant. b. “little children” V. 13 this comes from the Greek word Paidion pronounced pahee-dee'-on and it means a childling or a half grown boy or girl figuratively an immature Christian. c. “young men,” V. 13 this comes from the Greek word neaniskos pronounced neh-an-is'-kos a youth under forty. d. “Fathers” V. 13 this comes from
the Greek word pater pronounced pat-ayr' and it
means a parent. 3. All of these are
spiritual ages and is considered only in Christian maturity as believing and
following the teachings of Christ or the bible. B. “Little children, it is
the last time:” V. 18a 1. The words “Little
children” is the Greek word Paidion
pronounced pahee-dee'-on meaning the half grown boy or girl. a. This is the
teachable group. The infants are to uneducated and young in Christ to grasp
much of what is being taught. These young boys or girls are at the real
teachable age. The young and the fathers know this already. b. The Paidion group are also the most vulnerable group because of their eager to learn, and their lack of knowledge. 2. “it is the last time” a. Yes even these
apostles thought they were in the last days. b. Throughout time
all generations thought they were in the last days. c. Even today we
believe we are in the last days. d. The Lord said, Matthew 24:44 “Therefore be ye also
ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” I would
say we are in that time, however, we still do not know. C. “and as ye have heard
that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we
know that it is the last time.” V. 18b 1. Lets notice John said
“antichrists” not “the Antichrist” in fact he goes on to say “many
antichrists” to make an understanding this is not “the antichrist” he is speaking
of. a. The word
“antichrist” in both places comes from the same Greek word antichristos pronounced an-tee'-khris-tos
and it means an opponent of the Messiah. Not necessarily one who hates Christ
or even one who will call themselves Christians, but rather one who opposes
His teachings or His words, or His commandments. b.
The Antichrist John is speaking of are the ones who will teach false
teachings, that is to twist and turn the truths of Christ into a lie. c. John said, “even
now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
They have been here ever since Jesus died and ascended, and they are here
today and worse that ever. 2. Where did they come
from, “They went out from us,” From the church. That is, they had once been
professors of the true teachings of the Saviour, though their apostasy showed
that they never were true to the Lord. . 3. “but they were not of
us;” That is truly as we are (followers of Christ teachings) but rather deceivers,
in their own minds or seeking to deceive others as in “the young boys and
girls” I believe it could go deeper than that and could even mean they did
not know the Lord period. 4. “for if they had been
of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:” This makes me wonder
about those that who we think might be saved and never were. Matthew
7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity.” 5. “but
they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of
us.” That is they were not kicked out of the Church but rather separated
themselves and “made manifest that they were not all of us” means bragged
about the fact they were not of us. In other words they let it be know they were not Baptist and despised the Baptist. |