While the Anti-Christ is most often associated with the End times, the spirit of anti-Messiah is a topic often missed. What is this “spirit of anti-Messiah”? We are told by the apostle John of the first century, that it stands in opposition to the spirit of truth—therefore that “spirit” has something to do with lies. In this, that spirit of lies must be like the Anti-Christ; deceiver (Rev 13).
“Dear children the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many antichrists have appeared. From this we know it is the last hour”—catch this—“These people left our congregations, but they never really were part of us; otherwise they would have stayed” (1John 2:18-19).
From this we see that there will come a person “Antichrist” in the End. Throughout history there have been some similar; since existing since John’s era of the first century are those who have “the spirit of anti-christ”—but more than that—the ones to which John referred had been PART of the congregations! While they are part of that “spirit of Antichrist”, there are others any others evil ones.
The apostle John told us how, as a witness, to discern between those who followed Messiah and those who followed the Antichrist (anti-Messiah), “Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah. The anti-Messiah—denies the Father and the Son. (Since) no one who denies the Son has the Father; the one who acknowledges the Son also has the Father” (1John 2:22-23).
John goes on to explain the principle that identifies the anti-Messiah also can identify false prophets, “Loved ones do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. You know the Holy Spirit by this—every spirit that acknowledges that Messiah Yeshua came in flesh is from God—but every spirit that does not acknowledge Yeshua, is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti-Messiah, which you heard is coming and is already in the world…(but) we are from God; whoever knows God listens to us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error” (1John 4:1-6).
In a world where black and white has long-since turned into shades of grey, we must return to these basic principles of discernment; and ask ourselves crucial questions, ‘Which spirit have I; the Spirit of Truth, or the one of error? And which spirit resides in those with whom I associate, or listen to?
Society in general (spiritually speaking) fall into several groups: the ignorant, the blatant idolaters (those worshipping anyone but the One God), the rebellious (atheist), and the hypocrites—all of which, by the way might appear to be “good people”. But “being good” does not eternally save. Conversely, those on the opposite spectrum, who believe what is written about the LORD’s Messiah and follow him, are saved.
There might remain some uninformed (ignorant) tribes in the world; but they will hear the Gospel in the End (Rev. 14:6), and some of them might be saved; others might not. Most people in the world have heard of Yeshua (Jesus); and their hearts have made their choice about what they believe of him.
The belief systems that have no saving power and have the spirit of anti-Messiah, fall into the same category as the hypocrites. They were severely chided by Yeshua (Jesus) during his lifetime; and they are outlined above by John—as those who who had the spirit of anti-Christ.
The apostle John said they denied Yeshua was Messiah. Indeed, there are still some so-called “Christian groups” who still deny Yeshua’s connection to the Father and the Holy Spirit of God. To disconnect the the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God—as John wrote—is to not have the Father at all.
To Muslims the Creator (Father) is Allah. They know from the Qur’an that Yeshua came in flesh from God, was born of a virgin, endowed with the Spirit and the gospel; and he is called Jesus-Christ (which is Messiah in Greek). He is exalted in this world and the next, and they are called to obey his words. They are also called to know the books coming before (i.e. the Old and New Testaments), if they doubt; yet, they still disconnect Jesus as God’s Son (they conceptualize him using human thought), and deny the crucifixion.
Most Jews know about the Messiah: he comes from God. This they learned from their own prophecies; yet, they do not believe he came in flesh in the first century, as Yeshua (Jesus, used interchangeably throughout this blog); and thus deny him. They still await the deliverer; yet the prophecies depict Messiah with two distinct comings, and the last will be to eradicate all Evil and reign.
According to John, therefore, to deny Yeshua (Jesus) means neither of them have the Father, if they have not the Son. As the ancient prophecies predicted, Jesus was despised and rejected by his own—the stone rejected, which became the chief cornerstone.
There are also many Christians who err: not only are their hypocrites who mix truth with lies, but some believe that since Yeshua was rejected by Israel, that God rejects all of the Jews (along with the other non-believers). They have gone so far as to replace Old Testament promises given expressly to Israel, with themselves. They fail to see specific references of the End, where a remnant (having come through the fire) is refined—changed by God, they will be saved. For the remnant, the change seems at the 11th hour, which is comparable to Jesus’ parable of the workers hired at various times of the day. The early workers stand back and say “that’s not fair, they received the same wage as we did! And we worked all day” (Matt 20).
These examples of groups who refuse Yeshua’s connectedness to the Father, as Son and Messiah, also vary much regarding: his crucifixion, (obviously then): the concept of sacrifice, his resurrection as the first fruits, and his visible ascension into heaven to reign. His return, as stated, is believed by Muslims but Jews are not expecting Jesus as their Messiah.
All is not lost as the Days of the End approach; this is all the more reason to come together of common ground and learn from one another. Our written testimonies are abundant; and is it not for us to say whom will receive the spirit of Truth. For those with the spirit of anti-Messiah, the result remains the same according to John’s writing: without the Son they have not the Father. The spirit of ant-Messiah is the spirit of error. That spirit was in the world even in John’s 1st century.
John is a valid witness to use throughout this blog since he saw and touched Yeshua (Jesus), he was one of the elite twelve disciples, and of his inner circle: Peter, and the brothers John and James (1 Peter 5:1; Acts 12:1-3). John was called the “one beloved of the Lord” (John 13: 23;20:2;21: 20); and he was a scribe of two books and three letters in the New Testament.
Many people believed the testimony of Yeshua’s apostles, and thus grew the Way Movement, a sect of Judaism. In Antioch they were “Christians”—and not long afterwards, they began to vary in theology. Today, more than any other time in history, we see how apparent this is—despite the fact that the disciples, elders, testified to the Truth; and were consistent.
A spirit of error, falsehoods, and anti-Messiahs went out from them. John wrote, “(Those people) are from the world; and so, the world listens to them. We are from God; and whoever knows God, listens to God. But whoever is NOT from God, does NOT listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”— the spirit of anti-Messiah (1John 4:5-6).
This ability to discern between the spirits is very important. As important then, as is most relevant now. John wrote, “to those who believe in the name of the Son of God…If you see your brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, ask and God will give them life. (However), there is a sin that leading to death—I am not saying you should ask about that. All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin that leads to death” (1John 5:16-17). In this, John speaks of a (singular) sin that leads to death—eternal death.
Many people have wondered what that sin could be, since it is often called “the unforgivable sin”. It should be a scary thought for those knowing about the afterlife in either heaven or hell. However, fortunately for us, Jesus told us what that unforgivable sin was: “Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come” (Matt 12:31-32).
Likewise, if one pays attention to John’s writings, they need not wonder how that unforgivable sin relates to what he wrote. It involves the interrelatedness of the Godhead. Those who have the Son have the Father as well. For those who doubt this simple statement, try dropping those worldly concepts, and simply listen. May everyone grow to think spiritually about Yeshua’s relationship as the Son, to the Father, and the Holy Spirit—for in that, is the Heavenly Kingdom.
Hear John’s gospel as he recounts Yeshua’s words about the Kingdom of God—i.e gaining eternal life. It is being Born Again in the Spirit. Jesus said, “‘I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of the water and of the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again’. The wind blows wherever it wants, and you hear it blow but don’t know where it is going; you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit’” (John 3:5-8).
The Hebrew term for Spirit is Ruach, meaning “wind or breath”; and holy is Kodesh—so “the Holy Spirit (of God)” is Ruach HaKodesh. No one knows where the Wind is going; it blows wherever it wants. Was it not the Spirit of God that hovered over the waters in creation? And was it not God who breathed life into the first man (Gen 1:2; 2:7)? Here is the interrelatedness: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).
Idols, however, have no breath (Hab 2:19). The Spirit of God gives understanding (Job 32:8). This Spirit in people gives God praise (Ps 150:6). This Breath can enter dry bones, and give life—to know and acknowledge He is the LORD (Eze 37:5-6). The Spirit is the Word of His mouth (Ps 33:6). “And the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. And God spoke…” (Gen 1:2-3).
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, seen with our own eyes, looked at and our hands touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life…We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that you may have fellowships with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1John 1:1, 3). Many people resist the concept of God having a Son (they think in human concepts).
Yeshua called himself Son of Man more than he referred to himself as the Son; and at times he uses both terms, “‘No one has gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven…(and) the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life…there is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in God’s one and only Son is already judged—based on this fact: Light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their deeds were evil; and they feared their sins would be exposed’” (John 3:13-20).
In this, Jesus told them who he was, and from Whom he came. Judgement depends on accepting this interrelatedness, too; and his mission as Light for the world (John 8:12-20). Yeshua also said he would be “lifted up”—perhaps referring to his crucifixion, especially since he related it to when Moses lifted up the pole in the wilderness: When people looked upon it after being bitten by poisonous snakes, they lived (Num 21:4-9).
Within such simplicity of his sacrifice—a concept explained shortly—his being lifted up contained much suffering. But this was a mission of God’s love for the world—for you—for which His Light volunteered to do: “Whoever lives by the Truth comes into the LIGHT so others can see that God is at work in that action”… “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son…He sent His Son into the world, not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:21, 16-17).
There is another human argument that exists, saying it would be unacceptable that God would send His Son into the world to die as a sacrifice. But two things; First, there is the example of Abraham and his (nearly sacrificed) his own son. More importantly there is Jesus, who clears up the misconception with one statement, “‘The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back up again. No one takes my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down and to take it up again’” (John 10:17-18).
The guarantee of new life and salvation through his grace is very simple, if we allow God to draw us into the Light and we put aside our human concepts (which is err). In fact, if one listens to God about the Light, and allows His Spirit to teach and reach the heart; they receive the Kingdom of God and become lights for the world, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt 5:14).
The first step, and perhaps the most difficult part, is to drop human concepts, and see things through spiritual eyes. But, if you have read this far, my guess is that God has already been at work in your hearts to accept it and perhaps make (or have made) that step. Through spiritual eyes you will understand how, when people seem to imply the Godhead is three, the Godhead is still One. (Even though you, or they can’t fully explain how three distinctive components in the Kingdom are but One—and has always been.)
“In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). That is what Agur admitted a millennia earlier, “I have not…attained knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone to Heaven and come down? Who holds the wind in His fists? Who wraps the oceans in His cloak? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is His name and the name of His son, if you know” (Prov 30:3-4).
Above, you find the Holy One (Father), the Controller of the Wind (Ruach), and His Son. Of him, Messiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “(God says) ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my Chosen One (Messiah) in whom I delight; I will put My Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations’” (Isa 42:1). These are just a few examples from the Tanakh, of the three distinct characteristics of the One God— the interrelatedness—as implied by the close proximity to one another.
Throughout scripture appears many interwoven characteristics of the One God, His Holy Spirit and the Son: His servant, Chosen One, Holy Anointed One, Arm of God, etc. To discern through spiritual lenses is the only way to worship Him correctly, Jesus said, “‘A time is coming when true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him in that way—for those He can spend eternity with. God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.’” (John 10-14).
The above was spoken by Jacob’s well in a Samaritan village. Yeshua also told her, “‘If only you knew the gift that God has for you and who it is that speaks to you, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.’ She said, ‘But sir…where would you get that living water? Are you greater than Jacob who gave us this well?’ Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks from this water will soon become thirsty again, but those who drink for the water I will give them; becomes a wellspring bubbling up in them, giving eternal life.’” Then, Yeshua told her, “‘I am the Messiah, the one speaking to you; is here’” (John 4:22-26).
As to the interrelatedness, before the End all believers will understand these words, “‘I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost for the spring of the water of life’” (Revelation 21:6). During his lifetime, Yeshua said he was living water; and it is that water which is given in the End also. You might recall that water in the wilderness flowed from the rock; to sustain the Exodus group until they entered the Promised Land.
Jesus also said he was the living bread, relating this to the wilderness journey as well, “‘I am the living bread come down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die…and this bread, which I will offer is my flesh, is so that the world may live’” (John 6:51, 49). Yeshua volunteered for the mission; so, God sent his Son—out of love for all who would believe.
Only God’s Holy Son could suffice as a perfect, once for all, sacrifice. Jesus is like a bridge to the Father, “‘I am the gate for the sheep. Those who come through me will be saved…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired shepherd will run away when the wolf approaches; it attacks, kills and scatters the sheep. (But) my sheep know my voice, and I know my sheep. I have sheep that are not of this sheepfold, and I must bring them too. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd…(and) none can snatch them from my hand…but you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep’” (John 10: 9-16, 26).
Yeshua’s words explain more, “‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is greater than all. No one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. The Father and I are One’” (John 10:27-30). Those who believe in Yeshua’s mission and sacrifice for their sins live in obedience to the Spirit of Truth. They find it assuring to be in God’s Hand; in His eternal care.
The benefits to obeying the truth of God’s Word—His love for humankind—doesn’t stop with the promise that “no one can snatch them from God’s Hand”. Most people seek assurances and security in life; and especially in times of crisis or old age, they begin to wonder about their eternal fate.
Jesus, as the Holy One, the only Son of God, gave an eternal promise, “‘I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way I am going’… ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father but through me…If you love me you will obey my words. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter’” (John 14:2,4,6, 15-16).
The Greek used here for Comforter is “Paraclete”, which also is: Advocate, Encourager, Counselor (used also in verse 26). In the Qur’an the term is used as comforter/advocate, but is interpreted to be Mohammed. Yet, Jesus was very specific about the criteria for the Paraclete: “‘…another Comforter who will NEVER leave you He is the Holy Spirit, who leads to all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him…I will not leave you as orphans—I will come to you…I will come back to you again…since I live, you also will live…when the Father sends the Comforter as my representative—that is: the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and remind you of what I told you’” (John 14:15, 26).
Immediately after that, Jesus gave this assurance, “‘I leave you with my peace, one which the world cannot give. Remember: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I…I don’t have much more time, because the ruler of this world approaches’” (John 14:27-28).
The ruler of this world—is Satan, who will in the End empower the Antichrist and False Prophet (Rev 12:17-13:2). He is also behind the “spirit of anti-Messiah”; and wants to rule the world. He only controls the wicked people, “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips” (Prov. 17:4). Satan is a liar, the snake who slipped in to the garden and deceived Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God.
Satan stands in opposition to the Truth (anti-Yeshua, who is the Way the Truth and the Life). Satan represents lies; and those who follow him have the spirit of anti-Messiah that John told us about. People with the anti-Messiah spirit are children of the deceiver, Satan. Satan, the devil, is their father.
Jesus once told unbelieving people, “‘If God were your Father, you would love me because I came from God. I am not here on my own, but He sent me. The reason you can’t understand me is because you are children of your father, the devil…he was a liar and murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him…he is the father of lies’” (John 8:42-44).
They protested, “‘Abraham is our father!’ ‘No’; Jesus replied, ‘if Abraham were your father, you would do what he did’” (John 8:39). What did Abraham do to be called the friend of God? How did he earn that position? The apostle Paul writes, “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now one who works, wages are not credited as a gift. However to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:3-5; Ps 32:1-2).
Justified though grace, Abraham’s love for God created obedience, naturally—even when it meant taking his son upon the mountain to be sacrificed. But Abraham did not have to sacrifice his son—God provided a substitute; just as Yeshua is our substitute. “His son asked, ‘But father, where is the sheep?’ Abraham told him, ‘God will provide’” (Gen 22:7-8).
Yeshua came as the Lamb of God; and God allowed Abraham to know this in advance (John 1:29; Rev 5; Rev 19:9). Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). On that mountain, God provided a ram (rather than a sheep/lamb for) Abraham; and afterwards he “called that place, ‘The LORD will provide’” (Gen 22:1-14).
Who is your Father; is He the One God, the Father of Truth? Is your Father the One who loves you, provides for you, and guarantees through faith your eternity? Or is your father the father of lies; the one who deceived you, and taught you the spirit of anti-Messiah; to follow the world and its lies?
A disciple (actually John’s brother) wrote, “Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil (Deceiver)) and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and He will draw near to you. Wash your hands, sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world” (Jacob 4:7-8). We don’t purify ourselves, or wash ourselves. Remember, he is the living water—and does all of that. Simply humble yourself when your heart is called to “draw near”.
Jesus once told the parable of the Owner of a vineyard who leased his property and went away until grape harvest. He sent servants to collect his share of the crop; but the farmers killed the servants. Finally the Owner sent his son, “thinking, ‘They will respect him’; but the farmers killed him, too.’ Jesus said, ‘When the Owner returns, what do you think He will do to those farmers?’” (Matt 21:33-40).
In another parable Yeshua told them of a King who prepared a banquet for his son’s wedding; and sent out invitations; but the people refused to come. So the King sent some messengers, ‘Those I invited aren’t worthy’. The people insulted and killed the messengers. Then, the King was furious, so he sent some servants out to the street corners, inviting good and bad, alike, and the hall was filled” (Matt 22:1-10). Such have been the events leading up to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in the End, in the Kingdom of God (Rev.19).
If you ever feel the Spirit moving within, drawing you nearer; he wants to include you also. Don’t quench (suppress) the Spirit of God (1Thess 5:19). “Many are called; but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14). Jesus said, “‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and the last day I will raise them up. As it is written, ‘they will all be taught by God’. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me’” (John 6:44-45).
Have you learned from the Father and listened? Have you responded to His Spirit’s urging? Have you come to the Son, whom He sent? Do you believe all that he said?
Yeshua is the gate for the sheep, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, the Holy One of God, the Lamb of God, the Word of God, the Chosen One of God, the Living Water, the living Bread that came down from heaven, the Heir, the Bridegroom, the stone rejected, the Chief cornerstone, the Light, the Way and the Truth. If you have the Son, you have the Father also. If you believe this, no one can snatch you from God’s Hand—the One who Breathed Life into you.
As we near the End, increasingly we find those with the spirit of anti-Messiah. Your discernment is crucial. The anti-Messiahs are liars; some of which came out from the early congregations. Although hearing the Truth; they were never were part of those with the Truth. Now they effectively mix truth with lies they are part of the spirit of the anti-Messiah. Their father is Satan, the father of lies. Others with a spirit of anti-Messiah are those who stumbled over the Stone Rejected, disbelieved or choose idols. Idols have no Breath of Life in them; and they can not save. The liars, are among the unbelieving and idolaters who will not be saved (Rev 22:15).
Serving God, believing the Truth, gains Light to become lights. Eternal life is our goal; this worldly life is but a blip of potential existence. “Choose today whom you will serve; if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15) peace שלום,سلام @achadpeace
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