How to Survive the Last Days. 1 John 2:26-29

How to Survive the Last Days.
Text. 1 John 2:26 -29.
John has already declared that we are living in the last days – that long period between the ascension of The Lord Jesus into Heaven after his resurrection, and before he returns in glory to judge the world. The period when there would be antichrists, inside the church and without, and Christians need to be wary. In this passage he gives those Christians some really practical teaching to help them to persevere in these days.

1. Anointing. V27
Anointing is a strange concept to the modern man, so when we think about it was seem to get its meaning wrong. People speak of ‘the anointing.’ So, what is ‘anointing’ in the Bible, and how does it help us?

* Anointing in the Old Testament. In OT, anointing was most frequently seen as the function of the prophet, when that prophet anointed someone or something with oil, for service.

In the tabernacle in the wilderness. Exodus 30:25-29
In preparation for marriage. Ruth 3:3
In preparation for service/kingship. 1 Chronicles 29:20.

* Anointing in the New Testament. Jesus was anointed with oil by a sinful woman at a Pharisee’s house; the women wanted to anoint his body in death. Always, anointing was about doing God’s service. Jesus quoted from Isaiah and applied it to himself when he said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” Anointing symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Like oil, the Holy Spirit is said to be ‘poured out’ upon God’s people. Isaiah 59:21:

* Anointing in Christians. now let’s go back to our text and make some simple observations about what John has written about anointing…

When does it happen? The anointing that John is speaking of here is past tense. He is not telling the people, that antichrist is coming, so they must receive the anointing, or that they need a second experience to have this anointing. He is saying that this anointing has already happened! THE ANOINTING THAT YOU RECEIVED.

Who has it? Further, notice here that he does not say that the anointing is limited to just a handful of people or even the majority of people in the church. There is no limitation, for THEY ALL HAVE RECEIVED THIS ANOINTING. It is common to all Christians.

Where is it? It is ABIDING IN YOU. It is something that is internal, – not something that comes down upon you or that you work up, the anointing is already indwelling every single Christian.

* Anointing and teaching. Before we draw this subject of anointing in the last days to a conclusion, there is one little issue that presents itself to us, and we need to deal with it. John tells us that because the Christians have this anointing, they do not need to he taught! you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything. Remarkable! For right as he is writing this, John is TEACHING them! John is specifically referring to one aspect of that anointing here, and he tells us that it will guard you against spiritual deception. V26-27 The indwelling Holy Spirit, in every believer should always be a silent witness to deception – should teach us good and false doctrine, should help us to develop a keen level of discernment. After all, Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
So, ‘anointing’ is nothing more mysterious that the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer. May that blessed work be effective in our hearts.

2. Anticipating and Abiding.
when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming
The Lord Jesus is returning to this earth. We must be ready, but how will that coming find us? There are two very clear statements here about the Lord’s return, and a challenge for Christians…
* The CERTAINTY of his coming. ‘when he appears’. Note the assurance in John’s words. There is no dispute or doubt. – HE WILL RETURN.
* The CRISIS of His coming. at his coming What will happen AT his coming? At his return there will be the final separation of mankind. Those who have trusted in Christ for their salvation, of whatever race etc. will be received into eternal bliss, and those who are outside his kingdom, who have squandered their earthly probation on the things of this world, will be separated from God for all eternity. There is no second chance, no further period of probation. John 5:28-29
* The CHALLENGE of His coming. Now, why did John write these words? He recognised that when The Lord returns, there will be some of us, Christians, who will be found watching and waiting and working for the kingdom, and when the second coming occurs, we will have confidence. Confidence in our Saviour, welcoming him. But, realistically, there will be some believers who will be ashamed on that day, forgetting the teaching of the Scriptures concerning the ‘sudden unexpectedness of the event. 1 Thess 5:1-2. Saved, yes, but ashamed.

John gives us the remedy. He tells us just how we may live in order to be confident at the Lord’s Coming. abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him. His advice is to STAY CLOSE TO JESUS,

3. Analysing. V29
Finally, John introduces another of those little tests for our own self-examination. We know that Christ alone is truly righteous, and compared with Him, all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. But at Calvary He took our sins and gave us his righteousness! We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ – are we living that out? Can others see Jesus in me? Are we living rightly before God- loving him and obeying him; are we living rightly toward others, forgiving others, as he has forgiven us; living rightly toward self, mortification of sin, dying daily to self, living to God?

Bob McEvoy. http://www.SermonAudio.com/Ballymacashon