Today's Passage - 1 John 2:18-19

1 John 2:18-19   Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.  This is how we know it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.  For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.   In this passage, John talked about how "antichrists" will appear at the end time.  Actually, antichrists don't refer to individuals who will be against Jesus at the end time, but rather the authority that will be against Christ.  From that perspective, there are already lots of spirits of antichrists in the world.  For example, many unbiblical laws, such as those concerning abortion or homosexuals, have been passed in the U.S.  Years ago, some American churches encouraged high school students to gather under the flagstaff to pray blessings on the church, but many students were arrested by the police.   The spirit of antichrist is moving fiercely in the U.S., even in the religious arena.  Many are claiming to be Christ and asked people to follow them.  For example, Sun Myung Moon from Korea claims that Jesus is not the perfect Christ because He was never married, and he is actually the perfect Christ because he has four wives.  Many are deceived into following him.  When we participated in prayer walk in Washington D.C., we found that so Lamaism is popular there that even many celebrities in politics and entertainment are following it.  They meet and proclaim that the authority of Lamaism will rule over Washington D.C.  All these are examples of the spirit of antichrist in the U.S.   Because we are in the end time, we must ask God for a sober heart so that we may guard our heart from falling into any kind of temptation, and also distinguish between the tales and rumors so that we won't fall into deception and fear.  Back in 1995, some people prophesied that China will attack Taiwan, so many believers and even entire churches immigrated overseas.  Not only did they become laughing stock of others, it also became a subject with which gentiles attacked the Christian faith.  Christians should not fear hardship, because it's in hardship that God's presence will become more tangible.  May God help us to know what to do in the end time, and to be alert and pray while waiting for the Lord's return.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because your word is so true.  Our hearts are filled with peace and joy when we live by your word.  Even though our circumstance always changes and the spirit of antichrist is moving, we have assurance and peace in our heart because we know that we are in you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!   Support Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Expansion Project