Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John 2:18-19

As we read these words from the Apostle John, it’s almost as if he is telling us this today. As the Apostle is warning the Church “it is the last time or the last hour” meaning we the Church need to be continually on alert for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christ continually to be ready at an hour when we least expect him to return (Matthew 25) To keep our lamps lit, filled with the Holy Spirit, ready to discern the times

Now the Apostle John , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says “you have heard that AntiChrist shall come” The Apostle appears to be teaching of a singular great AntiChrist that will come to deceive many, even the elect. This coincides with the Apostle Paul’s teaching  as Paul says “Let nooone deceive you, for that day will not come (return of Christ) unless the falling away comes first, the man of sin is revealed,  the Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

The idea of a singular AntiChrist ruins many modern theologians eschatology,  as many theologians want to say everything was fulfilled in 70 A.D., I think we need to lean on the scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit rather than the doctrine of men. We many not fully understand how this will all play out, however we must be faithful and obedient to the Word of God

As the Apostle John said “even now there are many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time” Many antichrists have come into the world, but none of these are the AntiChrist. I heard one theologian make an interesting statement he said “Satan doesn’t know when The Lord is going to return, so he keeps preparing certain individuals to be the AntiChrist, even though Gods timing was not ready yet” I probably butchered this quote as I’m recalling it off the top of my head, but the point is Satan is not sovereign, he doesn’t know anymore that you do, so when people say “well this guy was the antichrist, or this guy was the antichrist, they very well could have been, but God is sovereign and his timing was not ready yet for the return of Christ

As Jesus Christ warned us also ‘Many will come in my name claiming “I am the Christ” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:5) We know this has happened multiple times throughout history, think of Joseph Smith or Muhammed, claiming to be prophets of God, deceiving the masses, teaching of a false Christ, they are ultimately anti-Christs

While we speculate , who is the Anti Christ , we know we are in the last days, and we know The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for His Church, be ready brothers and sisters for The Lord will come as a thief in the night, Amen!