“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18 ESV)
Understanding the times is crucial for success in any given mission. If you know the situation, you can be better prepared to address potential obstacles and make the most of opportunities that arise.
All Christians, and missionaries in particular, know that Christ’s mission sends us into an active spiritual battlefield. Though there are obvious cultural factors that make missions difficult, there are many forces, human and spiritual, that are actively working against the spread of the gospel.
As the Apostle John continues to address his readers, he reminds them that it is “the last hour.” By this, he is referring to what is known as the “last days” of redemptive history. These last days do not signify a particular, short period of time immediately before the return of Christ. Rather, John uses this phrase, as do other biblical authors, to refer to the entire period between the first and second comings of Christ. The last days began at Christ’s incarnation and will conclude at his return. In other words, the entire Church Age exists within the last days. This means that the heat of the battle is not only reserved for a later time that immediately precedes Christ’s return, but we are engaged in such a conflict now.
There is something unifying and empowering about knowing that we are at war. As nations engaged in physical warfare often experience, when they are fully invested in a cause and their enemies are actively assailing, their desire to defend their cause increases exponentially. In the same way, John is appealing to his audience to press on in their mission, knowing that they are at war and that the war is nearing its end.
Experientially, it does not always feel like we are near the end. The church has labored for two millennia, yet Christ continues to tarry. Nevertheless, Jesus’ parting words were, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20), and his words are not idle. When a battle seems endless, it bolsters the faith and morale of the soldiers to impress upon them the nearness of the end, lest they give up and give in to exhaustion.
John also warns that “many antichrists have come.” The enemy is already present and in their midst. The church is not merely preparing for an eschatological battle to come but must bear arms in the defense of Christ now. It is as if John is telling his readers to give every ounce of their strength to engage and defeat the enemy.
The words of Christ add helpful context as well, when he said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Gates are a defensive structure. They do not advance against the enemy but rather attempt to prevent the enemy from conquering the city which they guard. Thus, Christ is assuring his people that the enemy will not overcome the church. He is assuring his hearers—and us as the church—that he will bring success to the work of redemption that will extend to the ends of the earth.
As Christians, we are at war. We do not fight for a nation or a flag, but for the Lamb. Our standard bears the name of Christ, and it is in his army that we are enlisted. We live at the end of all ages, awaiting the triumphant return of Jesus when he will fully and finally conquer all who opposed him. We know whom we serve and that he will gain the final victory.
Following God who goes before us, may we faithfully press on to build the church as we see Christ, as King, “restraining and conquering all his and our enemies” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 26).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You have called us into your service to proclaim and glorify your name among the nations. May we be vigilant in that task and walk boldly into the battlefield of spiritual warfare, knowing that Christ is King and will achieve the victory.
In His name, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for continued support and provision for frontline missionaries.
- Wednesday: Pray for missionaries meeting critical needs through well drilling in Togo.
- Thursday: Pray for missionaries serving with Hope Alive Healthcare Birthing Center in the Philippines.
- Friday: Pray for missionaries providing education and training in Moldova.
- Saturday: Pray for the college ministry at The Hangout coffee shop in Brazil.
- Sunday: Pray for missionaries engaged in church planting.
- Monday: Pray for missionaries serving in Portugal.
Featured Opportunity to Serve:
Administrative Assistant
Location: Togo
Hospital of Hope, in northern Togo, is looking for a skilled administrative assistant to assume tasks in general office work and data entry for hospital administration. Other duties include scheduling the logistics of travelers and short-term volunteers coming to the hospital.
