1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:18 (KJV)
Context
The First Epistle of John, written by the apostle John, is a letter addressed to a community of believers. John wrote this epistle to encourage and strengthen their faith and to address certain doctrinal and ethical issues that were prevalent at that time.
The phrase “Little children,” is an affectionate address from John to the believers. John wants to emphasize the importance of what he is about to say and expresses his concern for the well-being of the believers. This tender term also reflects John’s role as a spiritual father, caring for their doctrinal purity.
The phrase “it is the last time” refers to the time period in which the early Christians were living. This phrase can be understood as “the final hour” or “the end times.” John is conveying the belief that they were living in the last days, the period leading up to the return of Christ and the culmination of God’s plan for the world. This period began with Christ’s incarnation and will culminate in His return.
Meaning
John goes on to mention that the believers have heard about the coming of the Antichrist. The Antichrist is a figure associated with opposition to Christ and His teachings. The Greek term antichristos means “against Christ” or “instead of Christ,” describing those who deny the Father and the Son. While the exact nature and identity of the Antichrist is a topic of much speculation and interpretation, John suggests that there are already “many antichrists” present at that time. These “antichrists” were individuals who denied or opposed the teachings of Christ and sought to lead others astray.
John’s purpose in mentioning the presence of many antichrists is to help the believers discern the times they were living in and recognize the signs of the last days. By acknowledging the existence of these false teachers and their deceptive teachings, John alerts the believers to be vigilant and discerning in their faith. The verse does not specify a single end-times figure but highlights the spirit of antichrist manifesting in many individuals, which is a key theme in John’s letters.
This verse serves as a reminder that throughout history, there will always be those who oppose Christ and seek to distort the truth. It highlights the need for believers to remain rooted in the teachings of Christ and discerning of false teachings. The presence of many antichrists is a sign of the last hour, and this teaching was likely familiar to John’s audience, as he says “as ye have heard.”
Application
Recognize the times: Just as the believers of the first-century church learned to identify the signs of the approaching Messiah, we must develop spiritual discernment that enables us to recognize God’s hand at work in the world today.
Guard against deception: Acknowledging that there will always be false teachers and antichrists reminds us that we must be diligent in protecting our hearts and minds from the lies and half‑truths of the culture around us.
Remain steadfast in Christ: The most important defense against falsehood is to remain anchored in the person and work of Jesus, trusting Him to be the source of truth for every situation.
Share the truth: We can do something about false teaching—simply sharing the truth, whether through conversation, prayer, or simply being an example of Christ’s love, has a huge impact on the people around us.
Remember, the primary message of this passage is that we must be spiritually discerning, always seeking to keep our faith centered on the truth of Christ while protecting ourselves and others from the false teachings that surround us. John’s warning is not speculative but grounded in the reality of false teachings that had already infiltrated the church. Therefore, the last time is both a present reality and a future hope, motivating believers to live in light of Christ’s return.
