Reading for July 31st

Read 1 John 2.18-27. In 2.18-27: Christological test: testing the false confession. In verses 18-19: The antichrist and the last hour. Children, the whole community. The last hour (see 2 Thess 2.3-12) is signaled by the appearance of many antichrists (referred to only in 2.18, 22; 4.3; 2 jn 7), opponets from within the community who deny Jesus is the Christ (see 2.22; 4.3). In verses 19-21: The opponents were once members of the community. Appointed, see 2.27. Holy one, probably the Holy Spirit (Jn 14.26), but perhaps Jesus (Acts 3.14;4.27) or God (Jn 17.11). The truth, the correct confession of Jesus as the Christ. In verses 22-23: The opponents denied that the human Jesus was the divine Christ (4.2-3; 2 Jn 7). Everyone who confesses the Son has the Father: Jesus reshapes the understanding of God (2 Jn 9). In verses 24-26: What you heard: the teaching; abides ... abide: Appropriating the orginal message unites the believers with the Father and the Son. In vese 27: Anointing is a mark of knowledge and of new life. Comments or Questions..