2 JOHNWatch out for “The Antichrist”!

THE LETTER• One of only 4 one-chapter books in the NT• Unlike 1 John, clearly in letter form (vs 1-3 & 13)• “The elect lady” & “your elect sister” probably = churches• Author calls self “the elder”; obviously well known to his

audience & can speak authoritatively; traditionally believed to be JohnAp• Deals with same false teaching as 1 Jn: “those who do not

confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh” (v 7)• Theme = not showing hospitality to those spreading

falsehood

THEMES•“Walking in the truth” – Following the commandments of God should be the pattern for every Christian life•By contrast, not showing hospitality to those who don’t walk in the truth, but who spread falsehood instead

WHO IS “THE ANTICHRIST”?• Often equated with “the Beast” in Rev. & the “man of lawlessness” in 2

Thess, but this is questionable• Wasn’t just one “antichrist” (1 Jn 2:18) • The antichrist = anyone “who denies that Jesus is the Christ” (1 Jn 2:22, 4:3)• “The deceiver & the antichrist” = the “many deceivers” who have gone out

into the world & don’t confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh (2 Jn 7)• So, anyone who is anti-Christ is “the antichrist”• May be a particular “antichrist” to come in the future, but “many” already

here: those who do “not abide in the teaching of Christ” & don’t have God

WHAT ABOUT VS. 10-11?

• Taken absolutely, would mean no hospitality toward anyone not a Christian. Doesn’t seem likely• In context, not to offer hospitality/housing, etc. to

traveling false teachers•Not everyone who believes something false is a “false

teacher”•We should treat everyone with kindness & respect,

but w/out “taking part in his wicked works“ (v 11)

LESSONS FOR TODAY1. The gospel never ______________, so we should continue

to “__________” in it just as we first learned it.2. False teaching is nothing ______; it shouldn’t ___________

us when we encounter it.3. What we believe about _____________ is of central

importance, & we don’t know _______ until we know who Jesus is.

4. We should never do anything that would ______________ the teaching of falsehood about _________.

KEY VERSE“Whoever goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

2 John 9