18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:18–19 ESV)
“What is a Christian? A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a disciple of Jesus Christ is a follower of Jesus Christ. A follower of Jesus Christ is an active worshiper of Jesus Christ as a part of His community in a local gathering of fellow disciples of Jesus Christ,” explains Pastor Burk Parsons
There have been several qualifications for Christianity within the contemporary church. These include social Christianity, moralistic Christianity, charismatic Christianity, liturgical Christianity, seeker-sensitive Christianity, and even carnal Christianity. Modern man has qualified the Christian faith in various ways to express a particular philosophy and emphasis of ministry. Added to the list is deconstructionist Christianity.
Is it biblically accurate to say that an individual who rejects faith in Jesus Christ, fellowship in the church and any and all values and ethics associated with Christianity is a Christian? Or, have they lost their salvation following their deconstruction? What is the biblical answer?
Today’s text provides an explanation for the quandary that is deconstructionism. The Apostle John set forth the principle that individuals who professed faith in Christ, but left the Christian faith, never truly possessed faith in Christ.
Today’s text begins with the phrase Children, it is the last hour. John is writing to true believers. He states that the time they were living in was the last hour. The last hour is a recurring phrase in the New Testament (NT). Along with the latter days or last days, these terms refer to the period of time between the first and second advent of Jesus Christ (I Tim. 4:1; James 5:3; I Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18).
John describes a particular characteristic of the latter days. It will be a period of time filled with antichrists. Not only will the antichrist be coming, but many antichrists have come. This is the first occurrence of the title “antichrist.” It is found only in John’s epistles (4:3; 2 John 7).
John used it to refer to the coming final world ruler Satan empowers. He will oppose and seek to replace the true Christ (Dan. 8:9–11; 11:31–38; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:1–12; Rev. 13:1–5; 19:20). Antichrists refers to many individuals. John used the plural noun form to identify and characterize the false teachers who were troubling churches with their false doctrine. They distorted the truth and opposed Christ (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22; Acts 20:28–30).
Antichrist(s) means a principle of evil, incarnated in men. They are hostile, and opposed, to God (cf. 2 Cor. 10:4–5). John writes to expose the false teachers, the wolves in sheep’s clothing, who purvey damning lies (cf. Eph. 5:11).
Opposition to the Gospel and to Christianity is the first characteristic of those deconstructing Christianity. They once professed to be followers of Christ. They pastored large churches, produced popular Christian music and wrote bestselling Christian books. Yet they ultimately rejected, and are opposed to, the faith they once professed. This is a characteristic of the latter days. It is a characteristic of our own day.
“Just as Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him, so every Christian is called to discipleship. And discipleship is a life, not a program in the church or being busily engaged in church activities and duties,” explains Parsons.
Do you know anyone who once followed Christ but rejected the faith they once professed? It is painful to watch individuals, who once served the Lord alongside you, not only reject the Lord but also reject you. My heart is burdened in prayer for these who still need Christ.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 