Antichrist

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. - 1 John 4:3

    Every spirit that confesseth NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of antichrist.

    To confess that our Lord is come in the flesh is to preach and confess that he was before he came, very God of very God! It is to confess that God actually put on human flesh! He became a real man, “made of a woman under the law,” the second Adam, born to redeem a people. It is to confess that He, who came in the flesh to redeem a people, by his doing and dying, did actually, effectually, and eternally redeem those for whom he died! To deny his effectual work of righteousness and atonement is to deny his person, purpose, and power; and this is the spirit of antichrist.

    The spirit of antichrist is not anti-religion; it promotes religion. It is not anti-morality nor anti-law; it promotes both! It is not anti-good works; it encourages good works done in the name of morality and religion. It is antichrist! It is opposed to giving Christ all the glory for our election, our redemption, our calling, our righteousness, our preservation and perseverance, our resurrection, and our eternal glory. The Spirit of God says, “Jesus paid it all.” The spirit of antichrist says:

“Jesus did a part

And I a part, you know;

Sin left a crimson stain,

But we washed it white as snow.”