It Is the Last Hour
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 12/31/2016 PM (New Year's Eve) |
Text: | I John 2:18 |
Psalters: | 222, 247, 246, 345 |
- What it is.
- “Time” is literally “hour,” and refers to a period of time.
- The “last” hour implies that there are preceding hours, periods, dispensations.
- The “last” hour implies that there will be no more hours.
- This last hour is from Jesus’ coming from first appearance until His second, ending with the judgment and the renewal.
- That it is the “last” hour implies increasing intensity and urgency.
- Our text teaches that the evidence that we are in the last hour is the presence of “antichrist.”
- “Antichrist” is a political/religious individual/group who “apes” Christ, is a false Christ and is opposed to Christ.
- He opposes Christ, God, by appearing as a substitute or replacement for Christ.
- 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).
- There were manifestations of antichrist in the previous hours, but they were fore-shadows.
- The last hour is characterized by antichrist himself appearing.
- “Antichrist” is a political/religious individual/group who “apes” Christ, is a false Christ and is opposed to Christ.
- Our text conveys an admonition to “little children.”
- Keep your eyes open to the development of sin and to worldliness in general.
- Positively, it is a time to watch and pray, lest we fall into temptation (Matt. 26:41).
- Scripture teaches that antichrist’s presence indicates that Jesus’ return is near at hand.