1 john 2:18 - Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
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What does "1 john 2:18" mean?
This verse, 1 John 2:18, is a significant passage that reveals the early church's understanding of their place in history. Let's break down its meaning phrase by phrase:
"Little children," This is a term of endearment and pastoral care. John is addressing the believers in his community as a loving leader and teacher.
"these are the end times," This is the most crucial phrase. It indicates that the author, John, believed that the time leading up to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan had begun. This doesn't necessarily mean they thought the literal end of the world was just around the corner (though some undoubtedly did). Rather, they understood that the coming of Christ had inaugurated a new era, the "last days," that would culminate in His return. This is a common theme in early Christian writings.
"and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming," The early Christians were familiar with the concept of an Antichrist figure. The exact nature and role of the Antichrist was a topic of some debate, but the idea of a powerful opponent to Christ and His followers was a widespread belief. The origin of this idea may come from prophecies in the Book of Daniel and other Jewish apocalyptic literature.
"even now many antichrists have arisen," This is where the verse gets really interesting. John doesn't see the Antichrist as a single, future figure only. He observes that manifestations of the antichrist spirit are already present. This suggests that "antichrist" is not just a singular person but also a characteristic or spirit of opposition to Christ. These "many antichrists" could refer to false teachers, those who deny the true nature of Jesus (as later defined in 1 John), or anyone who actively works against Christ's teachings.
"By this we know that it is the final hour." The presence of these "many antichrists" is taken as evidence that the "end times" are indeed underway. The increase in opposition to Christ is a sign of the nearness of the end. This reinforces the idea that the coming of Christ had started the clock towards the completion of salvation history.
In essence, this verse is saying:
We are living in the time period that will lead to the culmination of God's plan.
You have been warned about a powerful opponent of Christ.
That opponent isn't just a future figure; the spirit of antichrist is already active in the world, manifested in many ways.
The presence of these "antichrists" is a sign that the end times are here.
Important Considerations:
"End Times" is a broad concept: Christians have interpreted the "end times" in different ways throughout history. Some have seen it as a specific period with identifiable events, while others see it as a broader era that began with Christ's first coming and will continue until His second coming.
Focus on the Present: While the verse speaks of the future, its main purpose is to call believers to discernment in the present. They need to be aware of the forces opposing Christ and remain faithful to the truth.
"Antichrist" as a Principle: It's helpful to understand "antichrist" not only as a person but as a principle. It is a mindset or ideology that opposes Christ and His teachings.
This verse isn't meant to scare the reader. Instead, it's a call to awareness, discernment, and faithfulness in a world where opposition to Christ is already present and active.
1 john 2:18 - Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
What does "1 john 2:18" mean?
This verse, 1 John 2:18, is a significant passage that reveals the early church's understanding of their place in history. Let's break down its meaning phrase by phrase:
"Little children," This is a term of endearment and pastoral care. John is addressing the believers in his community as a loving leader and teacher.
"these are the end times," This is the most crucial phrase. It indicates that the author, John, believed that the time leading up to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan had begun. This doesn't necessarily mean they thought the literal end of the world was just around the corner (though some undoubtedly did). Rather, they understood that the coming of Christ had inaugurated a new era, the "last days," that would culminate in His return. This is a common theme in early Christian writings.
"and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming," The early Christians were familiar with the concept of an Antichrist figure. The exact nature and role of the Antichrist was a topic of some debate, but the idea of a powerful opponent to Christ and His followers was a widespread belief. The origin of this idea may come from prophecies in the Book of Daniel and other Jewish apocalyptic literature.
"even now many antichrists have arisen," This is where the verse gets really interesting. John doesn't see the Antichrist as a single, future figure only. He observes that manifestations of the antichrist spirit are already present. This suggests that "antichrist" is not just a singular person but also a characteristic or spirit of opposition to Christ. These "many antichrists" could refer to false teachers, those who deny the true nature of Jesus (as later defined in 1 John), or anyone who actively works against Christ's teachings.
"By this we know that it is the final hour." The presence of these "many antichrists" is taken as evidence that the "end times" are indeed underway. The increase in opposition to Christ is a sign of the nearness of the end. This reinforces the idea that the coming of Christ had started the clock towards the completion of salvation history.
In essence, this verse is saying:
We are living in the time period that will lead to the culmination of God's plan.
You have been warned about a powerful opponent of Christ.
That opponent isn't just a future figure; the spirit of antichrist is already active in the world, manifested in many ways.
The presence of these "antichrists" is a sign that the end times are here.
Important Considerations:
"End Times" is a broad concept: Christians have interpreted the "end times" in different ways throughout history. Some have seen it as a specific period with identifiable events, while others see it as a broader era that began with Christ's first coming and will continue until His second coming.
Focus on the Present: While the verse speaks of the future, its main purpose is to call believers to discernment in the present. They need to be aware of the forces opposing Christ and remain faithful to the truth.
"Antichrist" as a Principle: It's helpful to understand "antichrist" not only as a person but as a principle. It is a mindset or ideology that opposes Christ and His teachings.
This verse isn't meant to scare the reader. Instead, it's a call to awareness, discernment, and faithfulness in a world where opposition to Christ is already present and active.