In a world of the Anti-Christ, we hold to Jesus Christ

2 John verses 7-13

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

• Those who deny Jesus Christ is a deceiver and anti-Christ.
• With Christ we have God without Christ we do not have God.
• We desire to see other Christians face-to-face.

Those who deny Jesus Christ is a deceiver and anti-Christ. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” 2 John verses 7-8

Rejecting Jesus Christ outright is one matter, but using deception to oppose the need for Jesus Christ is another. Today’s culture masquerades as being Godly, claiming to lead humanity and the planet towards salvation. Yet, they are extinguishing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!..For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple...And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Timothy 3:5, Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

There are many deceivers in this world who do not confess Jesus is the Christ who has come to us in the flesh. Their masses are in every city around the world who form the global culture of the anti-Christ. They are following their leader, the one Anti-Christ, that gives them what to think, feel, do, and say. The Anti-Christ replaces the conscience and spirit to build a wall against belief in God, the need for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and oppresses the Holy Spirit. By doing that, the Anti-Christ gives life to the image of the beast to live and speak through people everywhere. The global culture is groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do. “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” Revelation 13:8 The “him” is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

The Apostle John, by the Holy Spirit, speaks these words to us, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” By looking to ourselves, we do not want our thoughts and feelings to be overcome with atheism that leads us to form a bond with the culture of the Anti-Christ. When we came to God, we gave ourselves to the family of Christ, not the culture of this world. We do not want to lose what we have in Jesus Christ, who gives us the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our full reward of our eternal inheritance, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…” Ephesians 1:13-14

“….to you who… have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’…I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11

With Christ we have God without Christ we do not have God. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” 2 John verses 9-11

The phrase, “…do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds…” is advising us not to become friends, partners, and allies with those who deny Christ and live for the culture of the anti-Christ. That would be the same as sharing in the evil deeds born of atheism. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to greet people who reject Jesus Christ. We greet them at the workplace, in the school, as neighbors, in the shopping mall, at grocery stores, in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and community functions of all types. However gracious we are to them, as the light of the Holy Spirit shines through us, we are warned not to form a “family” bond with them.

What more could be said than what the Apostle John says, anyone who does not follow the teachings of Christ does not have God. Those who follow Christ’s teachings have the Father and the Son.

We desire to see other Christians face-to-face. “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.” 2 John verses 12-13

From one Christian family to the next, or one believer to the next, we desire to see each other face-to-face. It’s one thing to write posts to fellow believers, and to read their posts, but much better if we were ever to see each other face-to-face. The hope that each believer has is to see each other face-to-face to have fellowship in Jesus Christ, and especially the day when we will see our Lord Jesus, and each other, face-to-face in the New Jerusalem.

When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
[When We All See Jesus]

---

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11