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WARNING AGAINST DECEIVERS
LORD’S DAY, NOVEMBER 24
2 John 7
1 Peter 4:1-6
 
“… they think it strange that ye run not
with them to the same excess of riot …”
 
WARNING AGAINST DECEIVERS
 
When Christ was on earth, He faced much opposition from the Jewish leaders. That opposition was carried over to the early church. During the time of John, there were many who denied that Christ had come in the flesh. The Apostle declared these to be antichrist. The understanding of the term is obvious, they stood against Christ. This is used in Scripture also to refer to Satan. He is the instigator of opposition to Christ. He will appear during the Great Tribulation together with the false prophet and will deceive the world. He has sowed the seeds of deception from the beginning.
 
The Apostle could tell of this false teacher when he wrote this letter. He also acknowledged that the church had made great gains. He exhorted that they should not lose those things, but that they would receive their full reward. In this sense, it is not earthly gain but rather abundant life that goes with eternity. Christian life on earth is great gain for those who believe. They will have peace, joy and hope of a heavenly reward.
 
Believers who live under persecution and other earthly perils still have joy and hope because the Lord is their strength. John spoke of this through experience. He had seen the hostility first hand when he was with Christ as one of the early disciples. He was also part of the early church that saw great persecution in Jerusalem. His brother James was the first casualty of the Apostles as King Herod put him to death. John must have been driven out of Jerusalem at the destruction of that city by Romans in AD 70. The only historical record of him is in Revelation 1:9 where he said that he was in the isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Despite all these, he looked forward to an eternal reward. He urged the faithful to move forward to add to what they had gained.
 
THOUGHT: Always lift up the banner of Christ.
PRAYER: Lord, may I stand up for Jesus whatever the cost.

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