WHAT IS AN ANTICHRIST?

WHAT IS AN ANTICHRIST?
BY PAT GULLEY


I Jn 4:3
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (KJV)

The Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John and the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He also wrote three letters. The first letter is to the Church at large. The second and third letters were written to certain individuals. Today we are going to discuss the first letter he wrote to Believers in 90 AD.

I Jn 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV)


There are many preachers and teachers today who are preaching and teaching the same things as the false prophets were in the day John wrote this letter. (2 Peter 2:1) John gives us the way to test and try the words that these people are saying. We are not to judge the person, but we must evaluate the words that are taught and spoken. The simple test is: Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh? This is the way to discern the spirit of an antichrist in a false prophet or teacher.

Jesus Christ did indeed come in the flesh at his supernatural birth by the Virgin Mary; but I also believe that it means much more than that. I believe that it acknowledges the fact that Jesus overcame death, hell, and the grave to be resurrected in a flesh and bone body. The Greek word for 'come' is 'nike' which means 'victory'. Jesus was victorious over death and was resurrected in a body of flesh. Jesus Christ did 'come in the flesh' by coming back to life in His human body.

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (KJV)

It was important that the Disciples realize that Jesus himself was standing before them in a flesh and bone body. He overcame in the flesh. He was victorious over Satan, sin, and the penalty of sin that had plagued the human race for thousands of years. Jesus told them to handle Him and see for themselves that it was indeed the same man they had walked with and talked with and ate with and drank with for 3 and 1/2 years. In fact, John opened this letter with this very statement of fact

I Jn 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (KJV)


Church, Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. Any person or any teaching or any doctrine that does not confess the fact that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and has indeed overcome in the flesh is of the same spirit as antichrist. Jesus has been raised from the dead and is alive forever more, and is seated at Father's right hand. And truly our fellowship today is with our Heavenly Father and His resurrected Son Jesus Christ. And this same Jesus will soon return to earth to receive all believers to Himself. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.