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"Little children, it is the last hour..."

Text: 1 John 2:18

ADDRESSING A VITAL ISSUE

All of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ were very conscious of a theological time-line. The Apostle John showed that he too was very aware of “the last hour”.

“Little children, it is the last hour;
and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have come,
by which we know that it is the last hour.”
1 John 2:18

1. The doctrine called “Eschatology”

a) Eschatology

i) It is the study of “the last things”.

ii) It comes from the Greek word “eschatos” which means “last”.

b) Different terms employed

i) Last days (2 Timothy 3:1).

ii) Last hour (1 John 2:18).

iii) They mean the same thing.

2. Essential background

a) In the Old Testament the prophets preached about “The Day of the LORD” (Joel 1:15).

b) Two broad features may be noted: –

i) The commencement of the Day of the Lord is associated with the first coming of Christ.

ii) The conclusion of the Day of the Lord is linked to the second coming of Christ.

3. “Little children”

a) If this phrase is used with “the young men,” and “the fathers” then it is a reference to little ones (chronological age is probably in mind).

b) However, when it is employed independently, as in this case, we may understand it differently: –

i) It is just a special term of affection.

ii) John used a different word (Greek “paidia” rather than “teknia” as in 1 John 2:12).

c) The Lord Jesus used this word too when He addressed His disciples (John 21:5).

i) John could have picked up this way of addressing his disciples.

ii) John was of great age at the time of his writing, and thus he could have written this word with deep affection for his readers.