John also has much to say in his epistle concerning God the Father, whom he introduces in the opening paragraph (1:2-3) And when the apostle thinks about how Jesus the Son and God the Father are related to believers like himself, the rst grand truth that comes to his mind is that of fellowship The Son and the Father are the persons of the fellowship Conditions for fellowship with God In 1:5 —2:2 the apostle identi es the conditions or requirements of fellowship with God, so that there will be no question in the minds of his readers regarding how one can enjoy the full blessings that such a fellowship brings Observe in the passage these three conditions: a walk in the light (1:5-7) b confess sins (1:8-10) c not sin (2:1-2) B ANTICHRISTS (2:8-29) Up to this point in the epistle, John has written much about sin, Satan (the “wicked one”), the world, and darkness Now he introduces another hostile element — a personal one that he labels antichrist (Greek antichristos).11 The apostle calls the enemies of Christ, as described in this passage, “antichrists.” How many were there, as of his time (2:18)? How did they oppose Christ? Note John’s reference to an antichrist in 2:18 Compare this with 4:3-4 In John’s day, Christians knew that a personal antichrist would one day appear in this world The Old Testament, Jesus, and Paul’s writings all taught about such a person as the “man of sin.” Compare Thessalonians 2:4 with Daniel 11:36-37; Revelation 13:1-8 with Daniel 7:8, 20 ; 8:24; 11:28-30 Read also Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 12-14; Matthew 24:15, 24; Mark 13:22; Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 17:8 C TRUTH AND LOVE (4:1-21) Chapter is about two main subjects: truth in doctrine (vv 1-6) and love in action (vv 7-21) John had brie y mentioned this relationship between truth and love in 3:18: “Love … in truth.” Now he dwells on the subject in detail True doctrine is the foundation of life with God; Christian love is the natural expression of life with God In what ways does John write about true doctrine in 4:1-6? What does he teach about love in 4:7-21? D ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE (5:13- 21) John’s inspiring epistle could not end on a higher, more climactic note than that of assurance and security The last segment of nine verses is bathed in this atmosphere, with the words “we know” resounding over and over again in a symphony of triumph In writing his epistle, John wanted to show that those who believe and obey the message of the gospel can and know with assurance that the prize of eternal life, with all its attendant blessings, is their own present and abiding possession Read the passage and record all that it teaches about assurance VI THEME, KEY WORDS AND VERSES FOR JOHN What key words and verses did you observe in your survey of John? What is ... antichrist (Greek antichristos).11 The apostle calls the enemies of Christ, as described in this passage, “antichrists.” How many were there, as of his time (2:18)? How did they oppose Christ? Note John’s... antichrist would one day appear in this world The Old Testament, Jesus, and Paul’s writings all taught about such a person as the “man of sin.” Compare Thessalonians 2:4 with Daniel 11:36-37; Revelation... 3:18: “Love … in truth.” Now he dwells on the subject in detail True doctrine is the foundation of life with God; Christian love is the natural expression of life with God In what ways does John