The first verse of Chapter Two addresses "my little children." They are addressed again in chapters three, four, and five. Chapter Two also mentions "young men and fathers." The identity of these groups would be most helpful in understanding the rest of I John, so we will make that attempt before continuing.

John uses the phrase "little children" ten times. Once in his gospel and nine times in his epistle. The first time John writes "little children" (John 13:33) he is recording the Lord's address to the eleven disciples. Judas is gone.

• John 13:33a
  Little children... 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

That is exactly what he says over and over in I John where he is talking to commandment keeping, Jewish followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that is who he is talking to in I John as well. These disciples, however, are in the Tribulation. We will study each of the nine verses as they appear but these two specifically show this truth.

• I John 2:18 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.

• I John 2:28
  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.

Paul uses the phrase "last days," or "last time," only once (I Timothy 3:1). A study of the phrase "last day/s" shows that these days would run from the First Advent to the Second Coming. The term "last time/s" only occurs four times and all four have a Tribulation context.

• I Peter 1:5
  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Today’s Christian is not waiting for his "salvation" to revealed in the "last time" and he does not have to "hope to the end." It is the "revelation," or Second Coming, of the Lord Jesus Christ which is spoken of here. The same is true for the phrase "shall appear." The reference is always for The Second Coming, even the one time that Paul uses it (Colossians 3:4).

• Psalm 102:16
  When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

• Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

• Matthew 24:30
  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

John’s "little children" seem to be identified as believers during the Tribulation, but the term itself implies that they have some spiritual "growing" to do and that they must continue to be mindful as to how important their personal salvation is.

Another group mentioned is "fathers." Identifying them shouldn't be too difficult. They are addressed twice.

• I John 2:13a
  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.

• I John 2:14a
  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.

Both John's gospel and his first epistle start with "the beginning." In his gospel that which was from "the beginning" (the Word - the Lord Jesus Christ) came to his own people, Israel, who would not receive him. In his first epistle John is relating to his readers what he experienced, and what he knows, so that they too might know the Lord. He states twice, however, that the "fathers" already know the Lord. Both Stephen and Paul addressed these "fathers."

• Acts 7:2a
  And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken...

• Acts 22:1a
  Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye...

I suggest that the "fathers" are those believers who read John's epistle at the time he wrote it. They were mature believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who had been faithful and believing Jews who had recognized their Messiah when he walked among them.

The last group, "young men," are also only mentioned twice and identifying them is a little more speculative. What is actually said to them in the epistle is most significant.

• I John 2:13b
  I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.

• I John 2:14
  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 "young men" in these verses could easily be spiritually representative of Church Age Christians, while still having primary doctrinal application to Tribulation believers. "Young men" are a few steps up in maturity from "little children." From what is said about them, they have already proven themselves to be faithful to the Lord. The first time the words "young men" appear in the New Testament is in what is commonly thought of as a very unusual, obscure passage.

• Mark 14:50
  And they all forsook him, and fled. 51
  And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52
  And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

This scene was in the garden just before the Lord was taken away. His disciples decamped while a certain young follower of the Lord (possibly Mark himself) stood and watched. He probably came with the multitude into the garden to see what would happen. Maybe his reaction to the disciples' defection tipped off who he was, or maybe the "young men" recognized him from being with the Lord and the other disciples previously. Possibly they wanted information or maybe they thought to protect him by getting him away like the others. In any event, he was revealed as a follower of Jesus and the "young men laid hold on him." Who these "young men" were or why they tried to capture him is not recorded. But our young follower was with the multitude and he was not against the Lord, so it is possible that these "young men" were also just observers who already believed on Christ.

They "laid hold" on this young man wearing a "linen cloth" on his naked body. My personal impression is that they were trying to get him out of harms way. That they didn’t want him recognized and taken as a "collaborator." He, however, mistook their help as the very thing they feared and he ran away, leaving the "linen cloth" behind. The first time "linen cloth" is mentioned in the New Testament it is a reference to Jesus' grave clothes.

• Matthew 27:59
  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.

The Bible clearly states what linen represents.

• Revelation 19:8b
  ...For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

This Jewish follower, in type, lost his righteousness. The Bible says that "salvation is of the Jews." A Jewish Saviour came to save and redeem the Jewish nation of Israel; and through this nation, one way or another, the Gentiles would also be saved. The Jews did it the hard way and rejected their Messiah the first time around. Jesus prophesied this would happen.

• Matthew 21:43
  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Many, many times in the Bible the Lord uses similitudes, parables and illustrations to try to get a point across. I suggest the possibility that this unusual incident may be one of those. This one young man represents this particular generation of the Jewish nation losing its opportunity to accept their Messiah at his first coming; and the linen "righteousness" is left with the "young men." Those "young men" could be the Gentiles of whom the Lord spoke, or they could represent the generation of Israel that would finally receive their Messiah. They could also represent those individual Jews during Christ’s First Coming who would be saved and become part of his Church Age Body. Look at the warning the Lord gives to an individual Jew during the Tribulation.

• Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

And when the Lord shows up the Church, his Bride, has that linen garment.

• Revelation 19:7b
  ...For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Now let's look at what John says to these "young men" to see specifically what we can learn about them. I want to study three words: strong, abideth, and overcome, in that order.

• I John 2:13b
  I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.
• I John 2:14
  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 first time "strong" is mentioned in the New Testament it is referring to a man's own strength. Matthew says that a strong man may be bound.

• Matthew 12:29
  Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Luke adds to the idea by saying that a strong man who trusts in his armor can be "overcome" by a stronger man. Certainly the Devil is stronger than any man who is trusting in himself or his own devices.

• Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

John, however, says that our "young men" are so strong that they "have overcome" (past tense) the wicked one (the Devil). If these "young men" are spiritualized to represent Church Age Christians then the reasoning is obvious. Those "young men" must be in the one who is already the victor.

• Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

• II Timothy 2:1
  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

But if these "young men" still represent believing Jews during the Tribulation, those verses in I John just mean that they have proven themselves by their faith and works and that as such have the victory. The same type of thing can be said about the phrase "the word of God abideth in you." John uses the word "abide" throughout his gospel and his epistles, but this particular phrasing is different than all the rest. John records the Lord's words on the subject.

• John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

First, the individual must "abide" in Christ and then Christ will "abide" in the individual. This is so obviously not Church Age doctrine. Today a person gets in Christ by grace through faith, not by "abiding." (Ephesians 2:8,9) If those two verses aren't enough the Lord's next statement should be.

• John 15:6
  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

There is that terrible condition "if." In the Tribulation it is an individual's responsibility to keep himself right with the Lord. If he doesn't he loses his salvation. John, himself, reiterates this in this very chapter.

• I John 2:24
  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.

You see there is a possibility that someone may not continue in the Father and the Son. That is not Church Age doctrine. Now the Lord says something next that's close to what we were told about the "young men."

• John 15:7
  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The difference here, again, is that little word "if". In I John the "young men" are said to be "strong." Because of their strength they have "abided" and "overcome." They have proven themselves as Tribulation saints need to do.

• II John 1:9
  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

In the Church Age the Lord Jesus Christ "abides" by grace. No matter what false doctrine the believer holds. He even "abides" if the Christian stops believing.

• II Timothy 2:13
  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

A Tribulation saint has no such promise. This is seen most clearly with the word "overcome." A study of this word shows a true difference between Church Age and Tribulation doctrine. Jesus says that he has overcome the world.

• John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

If a person is, therefore, in Christ, that person can be said to have "overcome" the world also. Therefore, because every Church Age Christian is in Christ, this verse can be used to prove that today’s Christian has overcome the world. This verse is a doctrinal truth for a Church Age Christian, but it is very obvious that practically most of today’s Christian’s are thoroughly caught up in the world.

But during the Tribulation a person must keep the commandments to abide in Christ. He must not be caught up in the world because it could damn him.

• I John 2:17
  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

• II Peter 2:19
  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

The people discussed here had been saved. They had escaped the world's pollution through the knowledge of Jesus, but then were overcome again by the world. These people cannot be Church Age Christians. But during the Tribulation it is a different story.

A Christian today can't lose his salvation!! He's part of Christ's body, his flesh and bone! (Ephesians 5:30). This passage in II Peter is written doctrinally for someone in the Tribulation, someone who must overcome, keep abiding, and endure till the end to be saved. The "young men" have proven themselves to the point where they must now just continue to endure until the Lord’s return.

The first verse of I John 2 says:

• I John 2:1 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:

Here, John is speaking to Tribulation saints, about the sins a person commits and not a person's sin nature. This is the only place the word "advocate" appears in the Bible. It means "a person who pleads the cause of another, typically before a judicial figure." Jesus Christ is the lawyer pleading a case before God the Father for a Tribulation saint who has sinned. Now this is not doctrine for a Church Age saint. God is my Father, and Jesus is my brother. I do not need a lawyer to approach my Father.

• Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

The relationship between the Father, Jesus, and the Tribulation saint is not the same as the relationship between the Father, Jesus, and a Church Age Christian. As stated previously, Church Age Christians are eternally secure and forever part of God's family. A Tribulation saint's relationship will not be determined until "the end". He is literally "on trial" for his eternal life.

• I Peter 4:12
  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

A person "on trial" needs a lawyer, and Jesus is the one who pleads the case for any Tribulation saint who is trying to do right. This sounds a lot like Job, who is a type of Tribulation saint. His adversary, Satan, accuses him to God. Satan is both adversary and accuser to those Tribulation Jews.

• I Peter 5:8
  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

• Revelation 12:10
  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Job had no "advocate" to plead his cause and lamented the fact that there was no "daysman," or mediator. This was true for all Jews before Jesus came.

• I Samuel 2:25a
  If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him?

But it is not true for the Tribulation Jew. He will have both. This is not Church Age doctrine. Although it sounds comforting to have our big brother stand up for us to our Father when we sin, it is not required. As fully redeemed children of God a Christian can approach his Father on his own, confess his wickedness, and have sweet fellowship restored. The next verse applies doctrinally to everyone.

• I John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The word "propitiation" means "atoning sacrifice" and the Lord Jesus Christ certainly did die to atone for every individual in the entire world, even the lost. (II Peter 2:1) There is no limited atonement taught in this verse.

• Romans 3:25
  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Sinners of the Old Testament would include all people beginning with Adam. Those forgiven (but not redeemed at that time) sins of the past are included in the propitiation. The next two verses in I John sound very familiar.

• I John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

• I John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

The doctrine of these verses has already been discussed with I John 1:2. A Tribulation Jew must keep the commandments to have the "truth", which is Christ, in him. Another thought is included here, however and that is that a person may "know" that he is in Christ. How does he know? He knows because of what is written.

There is also a spiritual application here. Many Church Age Christians do not have assurance of their salvation because they are not even trying to live right. A good spiritualized meaning of I John 2:3 is that God will give you assurance of salvation if you do right. Of course, that is not the case for every Christian who lacks assurance, but it can be used in appropriate circumstances. The Bible itself is the best source of assurance.

• I John 5:13
  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

This verse is frequently used for showing a Church Age Christian his eternal security. It says that you should base the fact of your salvation on what God wrote, not on your feelings. A person should be secure in his salvation because God wrote that anyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal life. Now, of course, that is exactly what Paul tells a Church Age Christian (I Thessalonians 2:13) and this verse is an excellent way to teach a babe how to trust God's word, but only if it is pulled out of its chapter to stand alone. Doctrinally the chapter is addressed to commandment keeping Jews. For them believing on Christ is only half the plan of salvation.

The next verse again reiterates that a commandment keeper can know that he is in Christ. It also says that God's love can be perfected in that person.

• I John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

The word "perfect" is frequently defined as "sinless" but that is not what it means. "Perfect" has to do with what a person does. Noah was said to be perfect because he did right. (Genesis 6:9) The same thing was said of Job. (Job 1:1)

• Deuteronomy 18:13
  Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

• Matthew 5:48
  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

• I Kings 8:61
  Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

In the context of these verses perfection comes by doing what God said to do. Jesus himself said he would be perfected.

• Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Obviously, Jesus was already sinless, but on the third day he would have accomplished what he was supposed to do. Paul also uses "perfect" as concerning behavior.

• II Corinthians 7:1
  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

• II Timothy 3:17
  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

A "perfect" person then performs outward acts of righteousness that are observable to others around him so that he can demonstrate his "inward" righteousness as a commandment keeping Tribulation saint or a redeemed Church Age Christian. Paul said this.

• Philippians 3:12
  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

The doctrine of the next verse from I John was covered with I John 1:3-7.

• I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.

• Matthew 7:12
  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

While this kind of walk is necessary for a Tribulation saint, this behavior should be characteristic of any believer. Paul appropriates this Old Testament quote and applies it to Church Age Christians.

• Galatians 5:14
  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Christians are to treat others as they themselves want to be treated. Not to keep their salvation but because it is the right thing to do. The next verse mentions an old commandment.

• I John 2:7 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.

This is a continuation of what John has been saying and it is explained in II John.

• II John 1:4
  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

As stated before this is the second half of the Tribulation plan of salvation. Christians must love and help each other during that terrible time of Jacob’s trouble. Their love and treatment of others is their walk; it is proof of their faith. Under the law walking right meant keeping the commandments.

• Deuteronomy 8:6
  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

Before the institution of the New Testament those Sabbath keeping, pork abstaining, Jews earned their righteousness by being commandment keepers. Elisabeth, Zacharius, and Paul were mentioned this way.

• Luke 1:6
  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

• Philippians 3:6
  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But many during the Tribulation will not keep the commandments and thus walk in righteousness.

• Jude 1:18
  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Practically, there is no doubt that a Church Age Christian can walk after his ungodly lusts. (Galatians 5:16-21) But as explained earlier that is his flesh. Today a Christian is told to walk by faith.

• Galatians 3:2b
  Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

• Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

In the Church Age a person is saved by faith and he is to continue to walk by faith. Commandment keeping is not an element in his salvation. That does not mean that a Christian can freely break any commandment he wishes with immunity. There is a penalty for those Church Age Christians who will walk after their flesh.

• Romans 8:1
  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This verse is addressed to Church Age Christians who are in Jesus Christ. They are eternally secure but they can still walk in the flesh. Christians who walks after the flesh receive temporal condemnation. This is aptly explained by Paul.

• Galatians 6:7
  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8
  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

A Church Age Christian who walks in his flesh will reap corruption. A smoker might get cancer. A drunk might get cirrhosis of the liver. But even if the reaping is not that severe, it will still happen. On the other hand, a Christian who walks after the Spirit will reap life everlasting. That does not mean he earns his salvation. If that person walks as God would have him walk he is sowing spiritual seeds. That sowing will reap a harvest of life everlasting for other people. A Christian who is obedient to God will reap the souls of others!

The next verse of I John sounds like it will be something new but it, also, is just a continuation of what has been said before. The "old" commandment to love one another was from God the Father under the Old Testament (II John 1:4-6), while the "new" commandment is from Jesus for during the Tribulation, and practically for us.

• I John 2:8 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.

• John 13:34
  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

"The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth," is a reference to Jesus himself.

• John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

• John 3:19
  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Men in all dispensations naturally love darkness and evil rather than love God and the Lord Jesus Christ. And, again, it is the duty of the faithful in any dispensation to try to bring others to the Light.

• Acts 26:18
  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

The walk then of the faithful Church Age Christian is to be a walk that is obedient to the Spirit of the Lord. He is not to walk after his flesh. His obedient walk will earn him the souls of others and save him from reaping temporal corruption in this world.

The next three verses are given as a group because they are all about the consequences of hating one’s brother in the Tribulation.

• I John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

• I John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

• I John 2:11 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.

These verses give a more specific example of how a person might lose, or fail to earn, his salvation during the Tribulation. A person who hates his brother is in darkness. He is not in the light. He does not abide in the light. He is blind and does not know where he is going, e.g. hell. There is many a Church Age Christian who hates his brother, but because there are no conditions put on his salvation he is not in spiritual darkness.

• Colossians 1:13
  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

• I Thessalonians 5:5
  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Of course, a Christian who is walking according to the Spirit of the Lord will not hate his brother. Church Age Christians are supposed to pray to get the victory over such behavior and have no fellowship with the principalities and powers which once held them in bondage.

• Ephesians 6:1
  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

• Ephesians 5:11
  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

There are three other verses from I John that further explain a "brother hater’s" condition in the Tribulation.

• I John 3:14
  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

• I John 3:15
  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

• I John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

A murderer, of course, has broken the sixth commandment. A commandment breaker cannot honestly say that he loves God. You see, he has to prove that he loves God. "Faith without works is dead." This "brother hater" abides in spiritual darkness. He does not have the life that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hating your brother during the Tribulation could easily lead to that brother’s death. Not that he would be murdered outright. But neglect, as described in James 2, can lead to starvation or death from exposure. (Proverbs 19:7) That is why hating is described as murder! Joseph is an example of someone who was exposed to his brothers’ hatred. They did not cut his throat or knock him in the head. They just left him in a pit to die of the elements and thirst. The next verse of I John Two is easy enough.

• I John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

Remember that forgiveness, or remission, is not redemption. This could be a reference to individually confessed sins or it could be corporately addressed to that generation of Israel that will go through the Tribulation. On the cross Jesus forgave the nation for his crucifixion.

• Luke 23:34
  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

To whichever this refers, the redemption of the nation of Israel and the sins of individuals will not be complete until "the end." (Acts 3:19-21)

With the exception of one phrase the next two verses were explained in the introduction to this chapter.

• I John 2:13 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.

• I John 2:14 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 "fathers" are probably those who read the epistle when it was written. The "young men" are proven Tribulation believers. And the "little children" are new believers during the Tribulation.

The last part of verse 13 says that these "little children" "have known the Father." Jesus addresses the disciples as "little children" inJohn 13:33. This is early in the Lord’s ministry. At this point the disciples truly understand very little of what has happened and even less of what is about to happen. Their hearts are right, though. They love and want to please God the Father, and they know that this starts by loving and following Jesus Christ. The disciples, as "little children" have a lot of growing to do.

I suggest that this is the way it is with the "little children" of I John. They also love God and therefore "know the Father," and now they also know that they must follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Even Paul appropriates the phrase when dealing with Church Age Christians who need to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and get their doctrine straight.

• Galatians 4:19
  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Unlike these eternally secure Christians which Paul addresses, the "little children" of I John are told in many verses to come, what they must do to be saved and stay saved. The next three verses have great spiritual meaning as well as their doctrinal meaning.

• I John 2:15 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.

The world is ruled by the devil and is not to be loved by a Church Age or Tribulation saint. Indeed, the world hates anyone who loves God.

• John 15:19
  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

It hates a believer so much that false accusations will be leveled so that a believer can be "legally" punished, or actual "Christian" acts will be made illegal and therefore punishable.

• I Peter 3:16
  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

While a Church Age Christian can love the world and not lose his salvation, a Tribulation saint cannot. The "love of the Father" will not be in him.

• I John 2:16 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.

All temptations fall into these three categories and no one is exempt from experiencing them. Eve was tempted with each one in the garden of Eden, as was the Lord Jesus Christ when he was in the wilderness.

.........I John 2:16............................................ Eve..........................................            .... Jesus

....."lust of the flesh" ............................"good for food"...........................             "stones to bread" ............................. 
     "lust of  the eyes"................             "pleasant to the eyes" ......              .......  "kingdoms of the world" 
     "pride of life"                                    "make one wise"                                      "cast thyself down" 

Eve, of course, yielded to her temptation while the Lord resisted his. The next verse says:

• I John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

In the Tribulation, doing the will of God assures salvation. Jesus himself said that it put a person into his family.

• Mark 3:35
  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

There is no mystery as to what God’s will is. During the Tribulation it is to believe on Christ and keep the commandments until the end. Unlike Christian’s in this age who are waiting for the Rapture or death, not knowing when either will occur, the Tribulation has a definite time table. Those faithful will have to endure for a set number of years, depending on when they believed on Christ. It is always easier to hang on when the "end" is in sight! And if they exercise their patience they are promised their salvation.

The total length of the Tribulation is seven years, designated one week. The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel, which he will break in "the midst of the week."

• Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

That specific event will mark the beginning of "the end" in which the Jew will be able to calculate how long it will be (three and a half years) before the Lord’s return.

• Daniel 12:8
  And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9
  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10
  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

The Jew’s calculation of the time of their redemption will be similar to what Daniel himself did when he determined the time table concerning the "desolations of Jerusalem" from reading Jeremiah.

• Daniel 9:2
  In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

So then during the Tribulation the saint must have patience and wait.

• Hebrews 10:36
  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

God’s will for a Church Age Christian is sanctification. A list of righteous behavior is found in I Thessalonians 5:5-22. The correct attitude and view is found in Romans.

• Romans 12:2
  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The next verse has two word groups that are only found in the Tribulation books. John is the only one who uses the term "antichrist," and the words "last time" are used by John, Peter, and Jude. (I Peter 1:5,20; Jude 1:18) The "antichrist," of course, is the devil’s human ruler during the Tribulation. While the "last time" is a reference to the Tribulation itself.

• I John 2:18 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.

The tense of this verse must be considered the same way as "behold, a virgin shall conceive." When we read that prophecy we know that it is no longer future, but that it has been fulfilled. I John 2:18 has future fulfillment until the Tribulation. During that time those who read the verse will know when it has been fulfilled, and such fulfillment of prophecy will strengthen their faith. The next verse names defectors as "antichrists."

• I John 2:19 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.

Like Judas, these false saints probably had the correct outward appearance for a while. Then when their own purpose was accomplished they left the true believers and it became obvious that they were never really one of them. These antichrists did not lose salvation for they never had it . While believers remain "in" the world, these antichrists are "of the world."

• John 15:19
  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The next verse includes a word not often used.

• I John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Unction means anointing. The Lord gives these Tribulation Christians understanding about the antichrist and those who follow him because he does not want them to be deceived. Deception is the antichrist’s job. (Revelation 12:9; 13:14; 18:23; 19:20; 20:3,8,10) Of course for those deceptions to work the biggest deception of all must be believed first.

• II John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

The foundation of further deceptions is the belief that the Lord Jesus Christ never came in the flesh the first time. These people are the forerunners of today Jehovah’s (false) Witnesses, who do not believe the words of the Bible that say The Lord Jesus Christ was GOD in the flesh. Once this lie is believed they open themselves to every other false believe and heresy. But John is writing to believers who know that Jesus came in the flesh.

• I John 2:21 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.

The father of lies, the devil, proclaims that Jesus was not the Christ so that he can claim that position. Those that believe and follow him are called liars and antichrists themselves. By denying the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ they also deny what God the Father has said in the scriptures.

• I John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Denial of the truth about Jesus damns that person in the Tribulation.

• I John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Eternal life comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ.

• I John 5:12
  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The next verse is an admonition to keep on doing right. Notice the conditional "if". That Tribulation saint must endure to the end in order to "continue" in Jesus.

• I John 2:24 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.

The next verse reveals the true end of the Tribulation saint. He earns the eternal life which he has been promised.

• I John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

These last two verses, again, show the extreme doctrinal differences between John and Paul. There are different plans of salvation for these two different time periods.

In the next verse John records another reason for his writing this epistle. He doesn’t want his readers to be seduced by lies.

• I John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

This echoes of a concern written in the gospels.

• Mark 13:22
  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Someone seduced and deceived by false doctrine during those times would lose his salvation. That is why is was so important. If that was true today there would be many, many less Christians than people claimed. Paul specifically writes to Timothy about Church Age Christians who have been deceived in I Timothy Chapter Four.

The "anointing" or "unction" in the next verse was mentioned briefly in verse 20. In the Old Testament "anointing" is most closely associated with "oil." The Holy Spirit is typified by "oil." There is no doubt that the anointing in this verse is that of the Holy Spirit.

• I John 2:27 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 identifies the anointing as the Holy Ghost in his gospel.

• John 14:26
  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Holy Spirit is present and dwells in a commandment keeping believer during the Tribulation. The difference between this and Church Age salvation is that the Holy Spirit is not sealed inside the believer because there has been no spiritual circumcision. The Holy Spirit’s remaining in a Tribulation saint depends entirely upon his behavior.

The next verse of I John refers to the Tribulation rapture. That is the event that removes those Tribulation saints from off the earth just before "the end," when the Lord Jesus Christ comes back for the battle of Armageddon. Their faithfulness to the Lord allows them to miss that terrible time. (Revelation 3:10)

• I John 2:28 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.

Now back at I John 1:2 the word "manifested" was used and I said that there might be another meaning to the word because of John 14:21-23. If "manifest" just meant "something that can be seen" then the question Judas asks does not make sense.

• John 14:21
  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Jesus talked to and was seen by many unbelievers in the world. Since that is the case, the question which Judas asks must refer to something else. The answer Jesus gives may just mean that "manifesting" equals "abiding" but because admonitions like this have been given over and over again it sounds like it also may be "Just keep abiding, Judas, and you will find out what that means." Look at this verse from the gospels.

• Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

This reference is to those who will be ashamed at his coming. According to Mark 8:36,37 those are the people who will lose their souls! Look at the similar elements in Isaiah that have been discussed in I John. The unashamed "tremble" at God’s word, are "hated" by their brethren, and are waiting for the Lord to "appear."

• Isaiah 66:4
  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. 5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

A verse in Hebrews makes the idea even more clear. It is definitely a future reference.

• Hebrews 12:14
  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

This means more than just being visible to the eye because "every eye shall see him" (Revelation 1:7). This is a reference to the Tribulation rapture. That is why "holiness" is required. I think that there is enough evidence to conclude that the "manifesting" mentioned in Chapter One is also a reference to the Tribulation rapture. Those "little children" who are "abiding" in Christ will not be "ashamed" and be raptured at his "appearing."

• I John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Every cultist of any denomination who claimed that Jesus was a "good" man and went around contributing to UNICEF, feeding the hungry children in third world countries, and volunteering for charity work would be "born again." The meaning of this verse can only be found in a "rightly divided" Bible. The doctrine of this verse is for Israel. In context, admission that Jesus is "righteous" is agreement that you believe what he claims himself to be - the Son of God and the propitiation for all sin. Doing "righteousness" is just a different way of saying "keeping the commandments." This truth will be shown in the next chapter where sin and righteousness are defined for the Tribulation.

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