I 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.

Several times God directed the New Testament writers to remind the recipients that it is the last time. In our text it was in reference to the time that John was living in. The Old Testament prophesied of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It spoke as well of the work of the Messiah during His first coming as well as His death, burial, and resurrection. After Jesus’ ascension, there is no further prophetic message until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time from the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ until His return is all classified as the “last time”.
It is a waste of time for anyone to look for signs of Jesus’ return. There are no specific signs given. We know that this time will be marked by unrest and also by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. Jesus declared that there would be a continuing hatred for truth during this current time. We know that there will be churches established and that there will be persecution of those who know and love the Lord. We cannot look at the wars that have taken place or that are now taking place. We cannot look at the increasing crime rates or changing weather patterns. Matthew 24 is in the context of the time of the Tribulation. The context makes that very clear. Many have tried to make that passage speak of our time, but they are not rightly dividing the word of truth.
John wrote that we have heard that antichrist shall come. Those who are saved will not be here when he comes. We will be removed by the Lord Jesus Christ just before the antichrist is revealed. However, there are many antichrists that have existed since the time of Christ. We know that Hitler was an antichrist. We know that our current P.M. is an antichrist. We know that Pol Pot was an antichrist. There have been many and there will be antichrists until the final one comes. Since we have these many antichrists, we know it is the last time. These antichrists all have at least one thing in common. They all hate God and Jesus Christ. They also all seek to establish themselves as the arbiters of truth and they limit all communication to that which they approve.
There is only One Place of Truth and that is God. No man can declare that they always speak truth and that they know what truth is in the absence of God. Canada is a clear example of this problem. We have a government, all parties included, which does not believe in the true God and they are seeking to govern this land in a vacuum. We have seen the disastrous results of this for many, many years. We have had the murder of unborn children taking place in Canada for years. Mr. Harper refused to allow open debate on this important matter, even though he professed to be a Christian. According to God’s Word, we know that to be a lie. We have more recently come through three years of tyranny with a false narrative regarding a virus that was developed secretly in a lab in China with funding from both Canada and the U.S. and possibly other countries. We are still being threatened via lies, regarding this entire wicked scheme. Our governments are also still working on creating other crises to gain control of every move and thought of the people of this country.
Then we also have the “intelligence” crisis where China has been interfering in the affairs of this nation for a long time, and specifically over the time of this current government. Our P.M. has publicly stated that he likes the Chinese dictatorship. Having said that, how can anyone then assume that he would not allow for the Chinese government to influence his thinking and how this country is governed. He has so far, successfully kept this matter in a type of “rumour mill” where different voices are speaking up but we do not get to the real facts. There is a great distrust for not just the government, but also the media and the justice system with the current way that our country is governed.
All of this and more is the result of having an antichrist directly involved in the direction this country is going. We know from the Bible that God is greater than the devil. We know that God gave man a free will. Adam was given the sharpest mind that any created human being ever had. Adam knew the truth in a clearer way than any mere mortal since him, has ever known. Yet, Adam chose to ignore the facts and he chose to believe a lie. The result of that fatal act, brought sin into this world. Since that time, all of humanity has started off in sin. This is not God’s fault. He made His will very clear to Adam. He has also made His will very clear to mankind since the time of Adam. The devil has tried to distort the will of God ever since his fall. Due to the fact that every person born of a woman is born in sin, the natural choice of man is to follow the lies of the devil. The Holy Spirit is at work in the heart of every individual from the time of birth.

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9  Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Man has the ability to hear and choose to follow the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in his life. God’s voice is much greater than the voice of the devil. Man can choose to follow the truth. The problem is the three vices that God has already addressed in verses 15-17. None of those things are greater than God. However, if man chooses to be stubborn, he will refuse the truth and choose the lie. The sad history of man, is that most people in every generation have chosen to believe the lie of the devil, rather than the truth of God. The devil has developed many branches of false religion. Each one offers something just a little different, but still wrong. The flesh loves being pampered. Each person is unique and has his or her own preferences. The devil knows how to cater to these different preferences. Of course, due to sin, man’s choices are faulty. Man needs to let God lead him to repentance and salvation. Then and only then will he know how to make wise decisions.
God is not a liar. He is the Only One Who Is Truth and thus always speaks Truth. The devil is a liar and thus always speaks lies.
There is no reason to be bound by lies. There are a multitude of excuses that people give, but God has made it possible to know the truth. In our verse, Christians are reminded that antichrists are a common problem facing mankind. True Christians must walk in truth and thus reject the many antichrists that exist. Believe the truth. Submit to the truth. Let God direct you. His way is always right. He has kept His Word. He is still preserving His Word and every person can know the truth. He also makes sure that every generation has some godly men who can teach His Word. Godly men walk in the fear of God. They honour God and teach His Word faithfully. They are not gods, but they are committed to serving God faithfully. You can know these men by their fruit. Rather than going to the supermarket and looking at the vast amount of fruit on display, why not look to God’s Word and ask God to direct you to a godly pastor who can help you to know and follow the true God.
Pastor Bartel