May 1: An Inside Job
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18
John, the youngest of the twelve disciples, outlived the others. History records the martyrdom of other disciples as a result of their influence in making Christian converts. Most historians believe that John died of natural causes. Near the end of his life, the statement it is the last hour, is rich with double meaning, for he knew that his own death would place him a mere twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52), by his own perspective, away from seeing Jesus again. And these last two thousand years, by the Lord’s perspective, amount to a mere couple of days (2 Peter 3:8).
John counsels us to be aware and discerning of the snares placed all around us by the usurper of authority, for he who pretends to have authority to contradict or supersede the word of Yahweh is an imposter, animated by the spirit of antichrist. It is really nothing new, though the pressure to conform to modern religious traditions is intensifying and will reach a fever pitch just before the Lord comes to gather His bride.
Many of today’s Christian leaders are teaching that the Antichrist is still future and will be a violent opposer to mainstream Christianity. But for centuries now, Satan has been working from the inside to groom mainstream Christianity to accept changes and alterations, additions and deletions, to Scripture. These changes have been so normalized that Bible readers tend to gloss over as “minor” anything in Scripture that goes against modern culture.
Rather than a violent opposer, the spirit of antichrist has been at work for centuries as a subtle impostor. Animated by this spirit, human leaders who have been deceived will deceive still others, even as they give “lip service” to the name of Jesus. Just like Judas. Remember that when Jesus was arrested to face that series of bogus night trials and then crucifixion, He was betrayed by Judas with a kiss.
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8
Beloved, we are called to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the true faith. The standard by which we are to measure is the word of the Lord. Other standards abound, but know that any which contradict Scripture have been craftily put in place to mislead!
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12