There Are Many Antichrists

I John 2:18-20

In 1902, Cecil Rhodes founded the Rhodes scholarships with the goal of promoting a the British Empire. At the time it was to include the British colonies, the United States, and Germany. Students were to be ones who could be expected to become leaders in their field. Rhodes scholars are inculcated with Rhodes’ philosophy of attaining world peace and government, and helped to obtain positions of authority. Today, Rhodes scholars occupy many of the leadership positions in our most prestigious colleges and political institutions, greatly influencing American education and attitudes.

As we look at the United States in the last few years, we see a deliberate effort to break down the traditional standards of the country, and many of the leaders of the effort are either Rhodes scholars or their followers, and do not have the same values as the American majority. Their goal is the attainment of Cecil Rhodes’ goals, rather than those of the founding fathers, or of most Americans. It is why Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid can say it doesn’t matter what the people want with regard to Health care, the Government can seize a company like GM, or why a federal district judge can set aside a legally obtained referendum about gay marriage even though Federal law specifies that it is the purview of the individual state. They enjoy the privileges of citizenship, while trying to destroy the American system.

Some have even gone so far as to give up their American citizenship because they were so opposed to the American system. Their citizenship was not revoked because of some crime they committed, but because they refused to be part of the United States. They are anti-American. There are people in the church in similar condition.

“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. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (I John 2:18-20)

John 3:16 explains what is it means to be a Christian in a nutshell. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” James 2:19 makes it clear that that belief is more than simply acknowledging Christ’s existence or actions. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” The devils acknowledge that much, but they are clearly not saved. Hebrews 3:8-19 speaks of the people who went into the desert with Moses because they wanted to escape the slavery of Egypt, yet never committed fully to God in faith. It warns of the same danger in our day.

“Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:8-19)

Jesus said salvation was not possible without that commitment by faith in Luke 14:26-33. A recognition of what is expected of Christians is essential. We cannot just “try Jesus,” or accept him as a backup.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-33)

Just as there are those in America who do not believe in American principles and are un American, there are those in the church who do not believe in Christ and are unchristian. Those who deliberately reject Christ are antichrist, just as those who oppose American principles are anti American. They are not really part of us, and they leave because they aren’t. They have refused to be part. While there is only one known as the Antichrist, there are many who are antichrist in doctrine and practice.