Chapter two, beginning with verse three, presents the first of six “by this we [will] know” statements (1 John 2:3, 5; 3:19, 24; 4:13; 5:2) regarding how we know that we know God or are in him. In chapter two we know this “if we keep his commandments…[and] obey his word” (1 John 2:3, 5). […]
Introduction Since there is no name given, the authorship of next three letters is somewhat debated. However, they are traditionally attributed to the apostle John for good reason. First, the language of the letters and the gospel is overwhelmingly similar, in some ways more so than even between Paul’s. Second, the issues addressed reflect a
Chapter thirteen finally introduces the main human antagonist of the drama – the Beast. He is never called “antichrist” in the Revelation; that term appears only in 1 and 2 John in reference to the general deceptive spirit and anyone who denies Jesus. However, it is appropriate to consider him as the ultimate embodiment of
