It Is the Last Hour

Minister:
Date: PM (New Year's Eve)
Text: I John 2:18
Psalters: 222, 247, 246, 345
  1. What it is.
    1. “Time” is literally “hour,” and refers to a period of time.
    2. The “last” hour implies that there are preceding hours, periods, dispensations.
    3. The “last” hour implies that there will be no more hours.
      1. This last hour is from Jesus’ coming from first appearance until His second, ending with the judgment and the renewal.
      2. That it is the “last” hour implies increasing intensity and urgency.
  2. Our text teaches that the evidence that we are in the last hour is the presence of “antichrist.”
    1.  “Antichrist” is a political/religious individual/group who “apes” Christ, is a false Christ and is opposed to Christ.
      1. He opposes Christ, God, by appearing as a substitute or replacement for Christ.
      2. He deceives with lies (II Thess. 2:10; Rev. 13:14; 16:13; 19:20) and miracles (Matt.24:24; II Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:13,14).
    2. There were manifestations of antichrist in the previous hours, but they were fore-shadows.
    3. The last hour is characterized by antichrist himself appearing.
  3. Our text conveys an admonition to “little children.”
    1. Keep your eyes open to the development of sin and to worldliness in general.
    2. Positively, it is a time to watch and pray, lest we fall into temptation (Matt. 26:41).
    3. Scripture teaches that antichrist’s presence indicates that Jesus’ return is near at hand.