1 John 2:18-29

Warning Against False Religion and False Teachers (1 John 2:18).

Having warned against the world which is under the control of the Evil One and will stultify their faith, John now warns against false teachings which will destroy their faith. He warns against that which sets itself up as an alternative to Christ, as an antichrist. For an antichrist (‘over against Christ') is not necessarily someone who is antagonistic to Christ but rather someone who usurps Christ's place, setting himself up instead of Christ. He may well honour Christ as a prophetic man, but he seeks to put himself in His place as the one to whom men should look.