The Ultimate of Identity Theft

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.

1 John 2:18


We know unfortunately that in our time a terrible crime is committed of stealing someone's identity, causing all kinds of harm. How about the ultimate identity theft, that of putting oneself up to be Christ and His spokesman, but actually is "anti" Christ?

Biblical synonyms for "antichrist" is also "false teachers, shepherds, or prophets." They originate from their Father, the Father of lies and deception (John 8:44). There are has many different kinds of antichrists as they are different ways of opposing Christ and His truth.

That is why the Apostle John warns the church to be on the lookout for false teachers and their deception in these last days, the time between His Ascension and His Second Coming. Jesus Himself emphasizes this when He speaks of the End Times in Matthew 24: "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray (verse 5) and later in verse 11: "And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray." This distortion of pure teaching (doctrine) is what Jesus identifies as why lawlessness is always on the increase and people's love grows cold. (verse 12)

So, we as the followers of Christ must endure ever believing and guarding the precious pure gospel of Christ until the end. We must continue to test the Spirits to determine if they are of and from Christ (1 John 4:1-3) and only follow those who speak the truth of Holy Scripture. Many times the antichrists are good at "leaving out" important truths from God's Word, not clearly distinguishing God's Law from God's Gospel. If we as a church are to remain true to the end in not following antichrists, we must have increasing discretion, the ability to sort out the truth from the lie. This takes hard, persistent time and care in studying God's Word. (see Hebrews 5:11-14 and Acts 17:10-11) What has to be clearly and constantly proclaimed is that freedom from sin is faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Justification by grace through faith are we saved and freed from sin eternally.

God does give His believers "Identity Theft Protection" in our diligent reading, studying, memorizing, meditating and sharing His Holy Word. May we always be permitted to stay with Your Truth and defend and share it till Your return. Amen.