First John Chapter 2:18-29
1John 2:18 “Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour” “It is the last hour”: The statement cannot refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, for that had already taken place prior to the writing of this epistle. Neither can it refer to the Second Coming. For the following centuries proved that Jesus wasn't coming at the end of the First Century. “Hour”: Woods notes that the above word rendered hour is time with reference to a fixed date or period....”The word denotes time, time conceived of as a definite period, this period being the last in the succession of periods similarly determined by deity. It therefore designates the Christian dispensation, the last of the great periods or ages arranged by the Father (Isa. 2:2-4; Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2)” (pp. 241-242). “Ye heard that antichrist cometh”: Either previously warned by John or other inspired preachers. “Antichrist”: The word "anti" can either mean "instead of" or "against" Christ. It can mean either substitution or opposition. From other passages it seems clear that the meaning is opposition (2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7). That is, those who especially opposed the true teaching concerning the nature of Jesus Christ. While false Messiah's would exist (Matthew 24:5,24), the false teachers that John was combating were not claiming to be another Messiah. “Even now have there arisen many antichrists”: In examining the texts that describe the antichrist, it seems clear: (a) We are not talking about one sole individual. Rather, anyone who perverts the teaching concerning the nature of Jesus Christ is an “antichrist” (2:22; 4:1-3; 2 John 7). (b) Thus the Oneness Pentecostals and the Jehovah Witnesses are modern antichrists. In the same category you could place those claim that Jesus was merely a good religious 1