We are living in crisis days – in the last hour. The Apostle John, our spiritual father, says, “Children, it is the last hour!” According to the Bible, since the first coming of Jesus Christ (2,000 years ago) “the last hour” has already started. We have always been living in the last hour. But some of you may wonder, “But if it was ‘the last hour’ in John’s day, why has Jesus not yet returned?” Concerning this question, the Scripture gives us the answer: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9). God works in human time, but he is above time.
Jesus says that there will be signs of the last hour. In Luke 21:10-11 Jesus says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” We have seen some of those signs already. And by this we know that we are living in the last hour. Jesus also says that one of the surest signs of the last hour is the rise of false prophets. Jesus says, “Many false prophets will rise and lead many astray, if possible, even God’s chosen ones” (Matt 24:11, 24). Nowadays we are busy with cleaning and disinfecting our homes and our community facilities. But above all else, the most important and urgent thing to do in this last hour is to cleanse, purify, guard our heart and our church from false teaching. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Co 13:5a). So it’s important that we know what we believe and why we believe it.
Antichrists
Jesus says that there will be signs of the last hour. In Luke 21:10-11 Jesus says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” We have seen some of those signs already. And by this we know that we are living in the last hour. Jesus also says that one of the surest signs of the last hour is the rise of false prophets. Jesus says, “Many false prophets will rise and lead many astray, if possible, even God’s chosen ones” (Matt 24:11, 24). Nowadays we are busy with cleaning and disinfecting our homes and our community facilities. But above all else, the most important and urgent thing to do in this last hour is to cleanse, purify, guard our heart and our church from false teaching. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Co 13:5a). So it’s important that we know what we believe and why we believe it.
Antichrists
John says, “Children, it is the last hour!” Then, he continues, “How do we know that we’re in the last hour? The evidence for this is that even now many antichrists have come. And from this we know that it is the last hour” (v. 18). Who are antichrists? The Antichrist refers to the man of lawlessness who will head up the final world rebellion against Christ (2 Th 2:3). John tells us the details in the Book of Revelation. But here in his letter antichrists refer to a broader group, that is, “false teachers.”
In John’s time there was a group of people who denied that Jesus is the Christ. To be more precise, they denied that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, come in the flesh. They said that the eternal Christ had come upon a mere man Jesus at his baptism and had left him on the cross. So that the Christ, the Son of God never died; it was the man Jesus who died – Christ had left him before death. They talked about Jesus, but they denied that Jesus is the Christ. They denied the reality of the Incarnation – God became flesh – central Christian doctrine. We still see these false teachers today, who would say, “We worship one God. We worship the Father. We believe in God the Father, even though we disagree with you about Jesus Christ.” Without a right view of the Son Jesus we cannot have a right view of the Father. John says, “No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also” (v. 22). So the key question for a Christian is “Who is Jesus Christ to you?” Is Jesus merely “an example,” “a good man,” or “a wonderful teacher”? Or is He the Son of God come in the flesh?
The Word of God
In John’s time there was a group of people who denied that Jesus is the Christ. To be more precise, they denied that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, come in the flesh. They said that the eternal Christ had come upon a mere man Jesus at his baptism and had left him on the cross. So that the Christ, the Son of God never died; it was the man Jesus who died – Christ had left him before death. They talked about Jesus, but they denied that Jesus is the Christ. They denied the reality of the Incarnation – God became flesh – central Christian doctrine. We still see these false teachers today, who would say, “We worship one God. We worship the Father. We believe in God the Father, even though we disagree with you about Jesus Christ.” Without a right view of the Son Jesus we cannot have a right view of the Father. John says, “No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also” (v. 22). So the key question for a Christian is “Who is Jesus Christ to you?” Is Jesus merely “an example,” “a good man,” or “a wonderful teacher”? Or is He the Son of God come in the flesh?
The Word of God
Then and now, in John’s time and in our time, in this last hour the devil and his false prophets prowl around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). They are out there to “seduce” the faithful. The devil’s purpose is to lead Christians astray by teaching them false doctrines, especially concerning the person of Christ (2 Cor. 11:1–4, 13–15).
So now, John draws attention to the two safeguards which will protect us from being led astray. The first safeguard is the Word of God. He says, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you” (v. 24a). Let the Word abide in you richly! Go back to basics, the apostles’ teaching and testimony, the gospel message. Timothy Keller rightly said, “The gospel is not just the ABC of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life.” Paul warns us in this way, “You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come… when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires… They are always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Tim 3:1, 7; 4:3). But as for you, Christians, go back to basics! Hold fast to the Word of God. Believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Believe in Jesus who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Believe in Jesus who suffered, crucified, died and was buried. Believe in Jesus who rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven. Believe in Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father. Believe in Jesus who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Let the Word abide in you!
In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Christian and his travel companion Hopeful entered into the wilderness – dry and rough. Their souls became more and more discouraged. Then they saw the parallel meadow called By-path Meadow. So they crossed over and were walking on the parallel path, they found it much easier on their feet. But then it began to grow dark and rain with thunder and lightning. They got lost. They found a cave shelter and fell asleep there. Then, they were captured by Giant Despair and thrown into the dungeon of Doubting Castle. The giant said to them, “You will never get out alive!” For three days and three nights the giant beat them without mercy. He gave them no food or drink. There seemed no hope of release. They even saw the skulls in the dungeon. After three days, they fell into despair. But on the third night, Christian and Hopeful began to pray. And all of sudden, Christian exclaimed, “I just remembered I have a key called Promise! I believe it will open any lock in Doubting Castle!” And they used the key and were able to safely escape from the castle.[1]
Are you stuck in doubting castle? You have the key Promise. You have the Word. Let the Word abide in you richly. Immerse yourselves in the Word, love the Word, pray the Word, memorize the Word, live in the Word! And the Word will deliver you from Giant Despair and guard you from the deceiver and the antichrist.
The Spirit of God
So now, John draws attention to the two safeguards which will protect us from being led astray. The first safeguard is the Word of God. He says, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you” (v. 24a). Let the Word abide in you richly! Go back to basics, the apostles’ teaching and testimony, the gospel message. Timothy Keller rightly said, “The gospel is not just the ABC of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life.” Paul warns us in this way, “You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come… when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires… They are always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Tim 3:1, 7; 4:3). But as for you, Christians, go back to basics! Hold fast to the Word of God. Believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Believe in Jesus who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Believe in Jesus who suffered, crucified, died and was buried. Believe in Jesus who rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven. Believe in Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father. Believe in Jesus who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Let the Word abide in you!
In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Christian and his travel companion Hopeful entered into the wilderness – dry and rough. Their souls became more and more discouraged. Then they saw the parallel meadow called By-path Meadow. So they crossed over and were walking on the parallel path, they found it much easier on their feet. But then it began to grow dark and rain with thunder and lightning. They got lost. They found a cave shelter and fell asleep there. Then, they were captured by Giant Despair and thrown into the dungeon of Doubting Castle. The giant said to them, “You will never get out alive!” For three days and three nights the giant beat them without mercy. He gave them no food or drink. There seemed no hope of release. They even saw the skulls in the dungeon. After three days, they fell into despair. But on the third night, Christian and Hopeful began to pray. And all of sudden, Christian exclaimed, “I just remembered I have a key called Promise! I believe it will open any lock in Doubting Castle!” And they used the key and were able to safely escape from the castle.[1]
Are you stuck in doubting castle? You have the key Promise. You have the Word. Let the Word abide in you richly. Immerse yourselves in the Word, love the Word, pray the Word, memorize the Word, live in the Word! And the Word will deliver you from Giant Despair and guard you from the deceiver and the antichrist.
The Spirit of God
The second safeguard is the Spirit of God. John says, “As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you” (v. 27a). So abide in the Spirit! Be filled with the Spirit! It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to know the truth and understand the Word. It is the Holy Spirit who keeps the Word alive. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to the heart. Jesus said to his disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” Jesus also said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:13a, 26).
The Holy Spirit gives Christians spiritual understanding which the natural person doesn’t have. William Wilberforce was an English politician, and he was a leader of anti-slavery movement. He had a conversion experience when he was 26 years old. He was also a close friend of William Pitt who was a youngest Prime Minister, a man of great knowledge and capabilities. One Sunday Pitt and Wilberforce went to church together. That Sunday a pastor preached on “How to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Wilberforce thought that it was the best sermon that he had ever heard. So after the service, Wilberforce couldn’t wait to share his thoughts about the message. But his friend Pitt started a conversation first. He said to Wilberforce, “Did you understand what the preacher said this morning? I tried hard to pay attention to him, but I couldn’t understand what he was talking about.” Wilberforce was shocked by what his friend said. Then he realized that only those who had received the Holy Spirit would have spiritual understanding.
This morning we sang “Spirit of the Living God.” Indeed, we need humble and open heart before the Spirit. “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me! Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me! Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me! Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me!” “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So abide in the Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit. And the Spirit will guide you, teach you, remind you, and protect you from deception.
Keep the Fire Burning
The Holy Spirit gives Christians spiritual understanding which the natural person doesn’t have. William Wilberforce was an English politician, and he was a leader of anti-slavery movement. He had a conversion experience when he was 26 years old. He was also a close friend of William Pitt who was a youngest Prime Minister, a man of great knowledge and capabilities. One Sunday Pitt and Wilberforce went to church together. That Sunday a pastor preached on “How to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Wilberforce thought that it was the best sermon that he had ever heard. So after the service, Wilberforce couldn’t wait to share his thoughts about the message. But his friend Pitt started a conversation first. He said to Wilberforce, “Did you understand what the preacher said this morning? I tried hard to pay attention to him, but I couldn’t understand what he was talking about.” Wilberforce was shocked by what his friend said. Then he realized that only those who had received the Holy Spirit would have spiritual understanding.
This morning we sang “Spirit of the Living God.” Indeed, we need humble and open heart before the Spirit. “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me! Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me! Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me! Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me!” “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So abide in the Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit. And the Spirit will guide you, teach you, remind you, and protect you from deception.
Keep the Fire Burning
As I close, let me tell you about the story of a monk. He tried to pray, but he couldn’t concentrate on it. He felt distracted, dull and depressed. So he went to the abbot for advice, asking, “How can I pray without distracting thoughts?” “How can I feel energized and refreshed?” The abbot took him to the kitchen, and he showed a caldron, and he said, “When the caldron is cold, flies swarm. But when the caldron is hot, no fly can cling to it.” After that, the monk went to the prayer room, he lifted his hands and prayed fervently to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are living in the last hour. Now is the time to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Now is the time to ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus Christ to me?” and believe in the Gospel. Now is the time to turn around, humble ourselves, and return to God. Let the Word of God abide in you. Abide in the Spirit of God. Keep the fire burning. Then, when Christ Jesus returns, you will have confidence and not be put to shame before him. Amen.
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[1] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress (Illustrated): Updated, Modern English. More than 100 Illustrations. (Bunyan Updated Classics) (p. 134). Aneko Press. Kindle Edition.
We are living in the last hour. Now is the time to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Now is the time to ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus Christ to me?” and believe in the Gospel. Now is the time to turn around, humble ourselves, and return to God. Let the Word of God abide in you. Abide in the Spirit of God. Keep the fire burning. Then, when Christ Jesus returns, you will have confidence and not be put to shame before him. Amen.
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[1] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress (Illustrated): Updated, Modern English. More than 100 Illustrations. (Bunyan Updated Classics) (p. 134). Aneko Press. Kindle Edition.
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