1 John 2:18-27 (NLT2)
18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this, we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise, they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 25 And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us. 26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true — it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
Antichrists swarmed into action practically the same day Jesus ascended back to heaven. These opposers, haters of truth began building foundations for division and conflict as soon as they could identify baby Christians and begin taking them down and out. John pointed out that such people were never truly part of the body of believers, and by walking away they simply proved it. He commended their tenacity and faithfulness and congratulated their discernment. He celebrated their fellowship with the Son, the Father, and the Spirit and rejoiced to possess the fellowship in eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the one who will get true believers home and without fear.
What distinguishes the antichrist from Jesus? What must you look out for in relating to people?