1 John 2

1 John 2 ~ Vs 1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours (remnant) only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” ~ John shows the disciples the blessings which the remnant (Rom 9:29) have in knowing Jesus as their advocate. Yes it is in the righteousness of Him that the sin debt has been taken care of, and those of his children, which have been given this blessed hope, that is, in knowing it, which bringeth the peace that passeth understanding. There are many of his children not included in the remnant, having not been afforded this covering; nevertheless he has propitiated, satisfied their sins also. The covering simply provides the knowledge of the atoning work, as God being in Christ reconciling the entire world of his people unto himself. This is the fundamental doctrine defined by the law written upon the hearts of those betrothed unto Jesus, wherein the bride is able to rest in the peace that passeth understanding.

Vs 3 “And hereby we do know that we know him (as our husband), if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” ~ Simply put, those who have been betrothed to Jesus, in keeping his commandments, by adding (2 Pet 1:5) to the dealt faith of the new covenant and produce fruit unto righteousness. We have those who say they are keepers of the truth (Isa 4:1), yet the truth is not displayed, therefore they become liars. A good example of this is those who desire to be called Primitive Baptists yet are following after the false doctrine of perseverance. Again we see the example set froth above in King Saul and King David. Saul is lifted up in self-righteousness, and David is humbled by his sin against his God.

Vs 5 “But who so keepeth his word (truth), in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” ~ The perfection under consideration herein is that of the basic truth of the church. Yes if indeed we desire to be truthful to the cause of Christ, we must walk in truth. Notice how John continues to bring this thought to the forefront. As stated at the outset of this epistle, he is talking unto those who are walking in the truth, and even goes to the extent of calling those who have been so blessed with the new covenant truth, yet do not his commandments, are lying after their father the devil. It is these that are considered to be antichrist (vs 19). This is not saying they are not children of God, only that they are denying the truth, which has been established by the two witnesses: the law written upon their hearts, and the preaching of the gospel in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Vs 7 “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word, which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” ~ This commandment is from the beginning, not before the beginning. This commandment is the truth as it is abiding in those chosen unto salvation here in time. (2 Th 2:13). The beginning has reference to the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were endued with power from on high. That is, as the Holy Ghost administered the new covenant dealt faith (Rom 12:3) to those chosen to receive it, being only called, and within the called there is the chosen remnant (Mt 22:14, Lk 12:32, Rom 8:28, 9:7,29, 11:4). The darkness of the old law is now passing away and the light of the new covenant is been administered unto the betrothed bride of Christ. This changing of the law continued to fade until it was done away with in seventy AD. At that time the bride’s chamber was fully furnished having came into maturity with the completion of the New Testament, and the ending of the sign gifts, and ushering in of the new heaven (upper room, or brides chamber) and new earth of the organized church (Rev 21:1), the New Testament being completed and the sign gifts ceases. Although he hath made all things new (5), yet those called to this service must overcome the false teachings to continue as the faithful bride of Christ, yet some (Isa 37:29) as the chosen remnant will overcome. In verse eight we are informed that those who fail in their faithfulness will be cast out into outer darkness; those who have tasted the sweetness (Heb 6:4) of the gospel, good news of the completed work of atonement, and turned from it, will experience the torment of the second death. The first resurrection is that wherein one has been delivered from the darkness of the old law service and if they turn back unto it, become dead (Rom 11:15) to the joys which they have experienced under grace: they have sinned the sin unto death.

Vs 9 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” ~ Again the darkness is of the law, for those under it given the opportunity would persecute the true believer (2 Thess 3:2 ~ ‘we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith’. If the law of the land would allow, these under the work systems world by force compel the true believers to submit unto their set of rules. Most who believe in some works for eternal salvation, believe if you do not submit to their god, whether it is Allah, Budda, or Jesus, then you will go to hell?

Vs12 “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father (in love). I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” ~ The older men of John’s time would have known Jesus as John did from the beginning (Pentecost). The middle age is given the faith spoken of in 5:4, which is able to overcome the false teachings of the world. The little ones are not able to understand the true doctrines, yet have the love (Gal 5:22) of the Father abiding in them.

Vs 15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Here John gives those of a muturity a strong admonition to be strong as he has stated in the above verses. The world will throw strong temptations your way, so be strong and overcome the fleshly desire to be like others; do not succumb to the desires of the flesh are even the eyes (Mt 5:28), nor strive in excess to accumulate worldly wealth which will perish. John continues to admonish the disciples to stand strong in the faith once delivered to the saints, for in it only can one find the peace that passeth understanding.

Vs 17 “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” ~ This is a timely admonition to remain faithful to the truth for the old law world is passing away. Matt 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Heb 11:26 “They are greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for Moses had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Yes there are indeed great rewards in one’s service unto their blessed husband Jesus Christ.

Vs 18 “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” ~ Not going to be, but it is the last time. That is, it was nearing the end of the old Jewish economy, wherein the law service would come to an end. The church then having come to maturity with the end of the sign gifts, and the cannons completed, Jesus would come with his holy angels to deliver his bride from the destruction of the Roman army and usher in the new heaven and earth. Those who went out did not have the unction of the Holy One; that is, they were not in possession of the new covenant faith, which is the witness from within (4:15).

Vs 20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” ~ If one does not have the new covenant, which testifies, to the truth, then the false teachers will lead them astray. In order to be sealed one must have the two witnesses. That of the law written upon the heart, and the preached gospel (Jh 6:27, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30, Rev 7:3).

Vs 22 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” ~ Can a person be called a liar if he is not knowledgeable of the truth? A person can not perjury himself unless he knows what the truth is. If one is not speaking the truth because of the false evidence presented to them, not realize it, he is considered to be in error (Nu 15:22, Heb 9:7). If he knows the truth, and denies it, he is considered a liar, because the thoughts he is promoting is presumptuous, willingly (Nu 15:30, 2 Pet 3:5). Those to whom Jesus came to in Jh 1:11 and received him not, were liars. (See Mt 21:32, Lk 7:30, Jh 8:24).

Vs 24 “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” ~ What is it that we have heard from the beginning? Remember the beginning herein referred to is the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:38 “Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” John 7:39 “They that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 14:26 “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things (Rom 8:28, 1 Jh 2:20) and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 20:22 “He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted (so they will not hinder ones service to their Husband, Jesus) unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain (Acts 5:4), they are retained.” This power is that which was promised to them in Lk 24:49, 2 Th 1:11. Here in John 20, Jesus breathed on the apostles and they received the Holy Ghost, but we are told that the Holy Ghost would not come until Jesus had accended. We need to understand just what is involved in the giving of the Holy Ghost. With the above scriptures we get the idea that it is the ability to understand the finished work, (which was accomplished on the cross), is this power. If this be true, then what the apostles received in John 20 could not have been the full revelation, which was to come. The Holy Ghost is the administrator of the new covenant, wherein is defined the basic doctrines of the true church. After the accession of Jesus, the apostles were the only ones who were given the ability to lay hands on one (Acts 8:18) so they would receive (understanding of the truth) the Holy Ghost, latter to be the administration by the Holy Ghost in the form of the new covenant. If you will notice, for one to continue in the Son, he must have that which was from the beginning remain in them. It is the promise given to Abraham that a seed of (Isaac) Jesus would be given unto the remnant. This seed is also known as Jesus Christ himself, which being as one with the bride, would also include her. This seed is also referred to as ‘even eternal life’, which one must retain in order to abide in the vine. How is it that one loses this eternal life? Prov 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Heb 6:6 “Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Heb 10:29 “Hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the (Passover) blood of the (new) covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, (2 Th 2:13) an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Yes one can, after having so great a blessing to be a part of the little flock, act in such a way as to become a castaway. This is not speaking of the practice of the church as was the case of King David, but a forsaking of the true doctrines, as was the case of King Saul. Fuller, as well as Harris and Bradley were guilty of such. Having gone out willingly, after a space of repentance is given, God will blind their eyes to the truth as he did the rulers of the Jews (Jh 12:40).

Vs 26 “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” John herein is giving a warning to those who would be seduced by the false teachers and follow after them to the point they also become castaways. Those blessed to be called and sanctified to the truth must abide faithful unto it, less they fail in their discipleship.

Vs 28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” Mt 25:6 “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.” How is it that one abides in him? By studying to show himself approved as a disciple. When the bride’s husband comes to his chamber, he peradventure will invite us to come and dine. Having done so, our confidence is increased to know that we are as one with him; that is, we have been blessed to lean upon his breast and experience the marriage relationship ~ what a glorious thought. Rev 9/2/09 Allen Cook