1 John 2:22-23 "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."

1 John 4:2-3 "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."

2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist." 

After I pondered these verses, I thought about what makes someone an antichrist. Being an antichrist is common in our world. Sometimes they are just normal people. Antichrists: deny Jesus, deny the importance of families, deny there is a moral and right way to live, deny there are consequences for sin, and deny that they have sin.

From the Bible we can see 3 things. First, the antichrist is defined as anyone who doesn't believe Jesus is the divine son of God. Second, antichrists appear to actively teach against Christ. Third, there were many antichrists in the world when John wrote the book. This means that not only will there be one famous antichrist who draws many faithful away, but there will be (and are) many common people who live as antichrists.

“Anti-Christ is antifamily. Any doctrine or principle that is antifamily is also anti-Christ. It’s that clear.” (Teaching the Doctrine of Family. Julie B. Beck. Relief Society General President. From a broadcast address given to seminary and institute of religion teachers on August 4, 2009.)

It is so important for Christians everywhere to stand up for what they believe. We need to bear testimony of Christ and of His teachings. We need to live as we believe so we can be a living witness of Christ. Our goodness can help counteract the darkness of the growing number of antichrists all around us.

I want to bear my testimony of Christ! I know he lived on earth, not only as a great prophet and teacher, but as the son of God. I know he chose to suffer for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane. I know He gave himself up to be crucified for our sakes. Jesus bled and died on the cross. He was laid in a tomb and on the third day He rose from the dead, thereafter making it possible for all men to rise with perfect bodies during the resurrection. 

 

Jesus suffered for my sins so I wouldn’t have to. I love Him for that. I will live my life in gratitude for His precious gift. I will stand as a witness of Him all my days.