The Last Days? Anchored in Anxious Times - 1 John 2:18-27 | Tim Birdwell | Week 5

Devotional

Day 1: Be Aware in the Last Days

Followers of Jesus are called to be aware, not anxious, as they live in the reality of the last days.
In a world filled with wars, rumors, and spiritual confusion, it is easy to become fearful or overwhelmed by the darkness and deception around us. Yet, Scripture reminds us that the last days began with the arrival of Jesus and will culminate in His return. Rather than panic or retreat, believers are called to be spiritually alert, recognizing both the mighty move of God and the opposition of the enemy. Awareness is not about sensationalism or fear-mongering, but about being anchored in the truth, discerning the times, and standing firm in faith. The most dangerous battle is the one you do not know you are in, so stay awake, rooted in Christ, and ready for whatever comes. [10:42]

1 John 2:18-19 (ESV)
"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. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

Reflection: Where in your daily life do you sense spiritual battles or deception, and how can you intentionally become more aware and anchored in Christ today?

Day 2: The Dividing Line—Jesus as the Christ

The central issue in the last days is not just belief in God or religion, but the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Many voices in the world may speak positively about Jesus, calling Him a good teacher or moral example, but deny His deity and role as Savior. This is the spirit of antichrist—anything that denies Jesus as the Messiah and the only way to the Father. The dividing line is clear: true faith confesses Jesus as Lord, not just in word but in the core of belief. To compromise on this is to miss the cure for humanity’s deepest need. It is not unloving to hold to the exclusivity of Christ; rather, it is the most loving thing to do, for only in Him is there salvation, deliverance, and eternal life. [15:00]

1 John 2:22-23 (ESV)
"Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also."

Reflection: Is there any area of your life or relationships where you are tempted to minimize or compromise the truth that Jesus is the only way? How can you lovingly and boldly confess Him today?

Day 3: Secure in Christ—You Cannot Lose What You Did Not Earn

Believers are secure in Christ, not because of their own strength, but because of God’s unbreakable grip and promise.
In times of anxiety, doubt, or when witnessing others fall away, it is easy to question your own standing with God. Yet, Scripture assures that salvation is not something you can lose, because it was never earned by your own merit. You are held by the power of God, sealed by the Spirit, and promised eternal life. Nothing—no sin, no doubt, no circumstance—can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. When the enemy tries to make you doubt your identity as God’s child, remember that your security rests in His faithfulness, not your performance. [23:54]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: When doubts or fears about your salvation arise, what truth from God’s Word can you cling to, and who can you invite to remind you of your secure identity in Christ?

Day 4: Abide in Jesus—Stay Close to the Source

The call for every believer, especially in anxious times, is to abide in Jesus—remaining close, setting up your life with Him, and drawing power from His presence.
Abiding is more than a spiritual activity; it is a posture of the heart that seeks to stay with Jesus through every season. It means not just knowing about Him, but living in daily communion with Him, letting His words and love shape your life. In a world of distractions and counterfeits, the power to endure and overcome comes from staying connected to the true vine. Jesus is not a distant boss but a perfect Father who invites you to dwell with Him. Abiding is where assurance, strength, and fruitfulness are found, both now and in the days to come. [29:36]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What practical step can you take today to intentionally abide in Jesus—whether through prayer, Scripture, worship, or community—and how might this change your response to anxiety or distraction?

Day 5: Jesus Wins—Anchor Your Hope in His Victory

No matter how dark or chaotic the world becomes, the ultimate hope for believers is that Jesus wins in the end.
The story of history is not one of defeat or despair, but of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and every enemy. He is not just the baby in the manger or the sacrificial lamb, but the conquering King who will return in glory. This hope is an anchor for the soul in anxious times, giving courage to persevere and faith to stand firm. When you feel overwhelmed by the world’s troubles or your own struggles, remember that you are on the winning side if you are with Jesus. Stay close to Him, abide in His love, and let the certainty of His triumph shape your life today. [35:40]

Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Jesus is victorious, and how can you anchor your hope in His ultimate triumph today?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with uncertainty, conflict, and anxiety, it’s easy to wonder if we are living in the “last days.” The reality is, according to 1 John 2, we are indeed in the last days—the time between Christ’s first coming and His promised return. This period is marked by both a mighty move of God and a simultaneous move of the enemy, as seen in the spread of the gospel and the rise of deception and opposition. The presence of “antichrists”—those who deny Jesus as the Christ—serves as a dividing line, not just between religions, but between truth and falsehood, between life and death.

Yet, the call is not to panic or live in fear, but to be anchored in Christ. Awareness is crucial: we must recognize the spiritual battle we are in, not as sensationalists, but as those who are sober-minded and alert. The most dangerous battle is the one we don’t realize we’re fighting. The enemy’s primary tactic is to distort the truth about Jesus, to make Him less than who He is, or to convince us that other paths are equally valid. But the most loving thing we can do is to hold fast to the exclusive, saving power of Jesus Christ.

Security in Christ is our next anchor. Salvation is not something we can lose, because it was never ours to earn or maintain by our own strength. We are held by God’s unbreakable grip, sealed by the Spirit, and promised eternal life. The enemy’s greatest deception is to make us doubt our identity as beloved children of God, to make us feel like we have a boss instead of a Father. But nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Finally, the call is to abide—to remain, to set up our lives with Jesus, to stay close to Him above all else. Abiding is where the power is, not in frantic activity or spiritual detective work, but in deep, ongoing relationship with Christ. In the end, Jesus wins. Our hope, our security, and our calling is to stick with Him, to make Him the center of our lives, and to encourage one another to do the same. In anxious times, we don’t need to bunker up with fear, but to bunker up with Jesus, abiding in His love and victory.

Key Takeaways

1. Awareness, Not Anxiety: The reality of the last days is not meant to drive us to fear, but to spiritual alertness. Recognizing the presence of both God’s movement and the enemy’s opposition helps us avoid complacency and prepares us to stand firm. The most dangerous battle is the one we don’t know we’re in, so we must be aware, not scared. [10:06]
2. The Dividing Line is Christ: The true test of faith is not general belief in God or religious activity, but the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Many may speak well of Jesus or even claim His name, but the crucial question is whether we trust Him as Savior and Lord. To compromise on the identity of Christ is to lose the very heart of the gospel. [13:44]
3. Security in God’s Grip: Our salvation is not fragile or dependent on our performance. We are saved by grace, held by God’s power, and nothing can snatch us from His hand. Even when we feel weak or doubt, God’s resolve to hold us is stronger than our ability to fall away. Assurance comes not from our grip on God, but His grip on us. [22:55]
4. The Enemy’s Subtle Deception: The greatest attack of the enemy is not always overt opposition, but subtle lies that make us doubt our identity as God’s children. When we begin to see God as a boss rather than a loving Father, we lose the joy and security of abiding in Him. Community and honest confession are vital to combat these lies and to remind one another of the truth. [26:31]
5. Abiding is the Source of Power: In anxious times, the call is not to frantic activity or self-reliance, but to abide in Christ. Abiding means staying close, making our home with Jesus, and prioritizing Him above all else. This is where true power, peace, and victory are found—because Jesus wins in the end, and those who stick with Him share in His triumph. [29:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Are We Living in the Last Days?
[01:23] - What Does It Mean to Be in the Last Days?
[02:30] - Reading 1 John 2:18-27
[04:19] - Anchored in Anxious Times: Be Aware, Be Secure, Be With Jesus
[05:03] - The Context: Revival and Opposition in John’s Day
[07:28] - God’s Move and the Enemy’s Move Today
[09:16] - Responding to Spiritual Battle: Awareness Over Fear
[11:01] - What Are the Last Days?
[12:49] - The Antichrist and Many Antichrists
[13:44] - The Dividing Line: Jesus as the Christ
[15:41] - The Exclusivity of Christ and the Cure Analogy
[17:43] - Centering on Jesus in the Church
[19:30] - Security in Christ: Can We Lose Our Salvation?
[22:55] - Assurance in God’s Grip
[26:31] - The Enemy’s Deception: Boss vs. Father
[28:26] - Abiding in Jesus: The Call to Remain
[31:42] - The Victorious Return of Christ
[34:18] - Jesus Wins: Our Hope in the End
[36:26] - Communion and the Call to Abide

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 2:18-27 (ESV) — > 18 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.
> 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
> 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
> 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
> 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
> 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
> 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
> 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
> 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
> 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 2:18-19, what is the evidence that we are living in the “last hour”?
In verse 22, what does John say is the defining mark of an “antichrist”?
What repeated word or theme does John use in verses 24-27, and why do you think he emphasizes it?
The sermon mentioned that the most dangerous battle is the one we don’t know we’re in. What are some ways John helps believers become aware of the spiritual battle? [10:06]

Interpretation Questions

Why does John focus more on “many antichrists” rather than just one future Antichrist? What does this mean for how we view spiritual opposition today? [12:49]
The sermon says the dividing line is not just belief in God, but belief in Jesus as the Christ. Why is this distinction so important for our faith and for the church? [13:44]
John says, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.” What does it look like to let the original message of Jesus “abide” in us, especially when there are so many competing voices? [29:36]
The sermon talks about the enemy’s tactic of making us see God as a boss instead of a Father. How does this affect our relationship with God and our sense of security? [26:31]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Awareness, not anxiety.” When you hear about wars, disasters, or cultural changes, do you tend to react with fear or with spiritual alertness? What would it look like for you to be “aware, not scared” this week? [10:06]
Are there people or influences in your life that subtly distort who Jesus is or what He’s done? How can you recognize and respond to these “antichrists” in your everyday life? [13:44]
The message emphasized that our security is in God’s grip, not our own performance. When do you find yourself doubting your salvation or God’s love for you? What truth from this passage or sermon can you hold onto in those moments? [22:55]
The enemy wants us to see God as a boss giving performance reviews. Have you ever felt like you had to “earn” God’s love or approval? How can you remind yourself (or others) that God is a loving Father? [26:31]
“Abiding” was repeated over and over in the passage and sermon. What does abiding in Jesus look like for you practically? Is there a specific way you want to “set up your life with Jesus” this week? [29:36]
The sermon said, “In anxious times, we don’t need to bunker up with fear, but to bunker up with Jesus.” What are some ways you might be tempted to “bunker up” with other things (like distractions, self-reliance, or comfort)? How can you choose to bunker up with Jesus instead? [32:26]
Who in your life encourages you to abide in Christ and reminds you of the truth when you’re struggling? How can you be that person for someone else this week? [27:52]

Sermon Clips

These antichrists then and today. Here's the dividing line. They're anti not religion. They're not even anti God. They're antichrist. This is the dividing line. The deity of Christ. Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus as the Messiah. This is the dividing line. Then and now. [00:13:33] (22 seconds) #DividingLineOfFaith

``Many times we think, I'm going to fall away because I'm weak. Tim, I don't know all the scriptures. Tim, you don't understand what I did last night. Tim, you don't understand kind of my background and generationally. My mom and my dad don't come from one of those kinds of families. all buttoned up like all these people. Like, I'm weak. And so, therefore, I will fall away. And what I love is scripture says, and J.I. Packer says, is actually, you're so weak, you're not strong enough to break the grip of God. He's stronger than your sin, church. He's stronger than your doubt. [00:24:11] (40 seconds) #StrongerThanYourSin

Do you know that the greatest, like, attack you could bring against me as your pastor is nothing you could do against me. It's what you could do against my kids. Like if you really want to hurt your pastor, which don't, don't do that. Like I love you, don't hurt me. But if you want to know like how to get at me, like make my kids for one second think that I do not love them. Make my kids think for one minute or one day like, ah, maybe he's not your dad anymore. Maybe he's abandoned you. That'd be the greatest way you could do that. Maybe you could get at me. And that's the greatest way the enemy gets at the people of God. That's the great deception is that you don't have a father. You have a boss giving you performance reviews, and it's up and down like every other relationship in your life. [00:25:56] (49 seconds) #AttackOnTheFamily

You know, many people, they are not abiding in Jesus. Abide just means to stay right there, to get as close as possible with Jesus, literally to set up shop with Jesus. To move in. Abide, abide, abide, abide. The reason many people don't do that is because they're not even sure if they're his. They view Jesus as a boss. They think they're graded on their performance. You're going to go hang out with that guy? Listen, like a lot of you, you don't like spend time, not relaxing time with your boss when you don't have to. Amen? And I know some of your bosses in the room don't say amen to that, right? But a perfect father who says, I love you. No one can snatch you out of my hand. I'm with you always, even to the end of the age. I love you, not because of what you do, but because of who I am. You want to hang out with that guy? Yes. [00:28:19] (59 seconds) #AbideWithJesus

And so what do we do in the last days? We fight the deception that God is a boss. And we cling to a Jesus who is unconditional love. We cling to him. And that's the last thing that John calls us to do over and over and over. Abide, abide, abide. [00:29:18] (19 seconds) #FightDeceptionWithLove

It's interesting. I've always thought, like, John 15 talks a lot about abide. John here, John here in 1 John. Why is it not something else? Specifically, like, why is it not, like, hey, learn. Hey, in the last days, sing or pray or share the gospel. Why is it not, like, with all these counterfeits, hey, become a spiritual detective and here's how. Why is it not those things? Why is it abide, abide, abide, abide? And it's because this is where the power is. This is where the power is. [00:30:10] (35 seconds) #PowerIsInAbiding

You do not need to bunker up with guns and toilet paper. You need to bunker up with Jesus Christ. You need to make sure. Do move to one, but make sure you do it to get more of Jesus Christ. Come to church, but make sure you come to church to get more of Jesus Christ. Sing your favorite worship songs, but make sure you get more of Jesus Christ. Listen to that podcast. Read that book. Watch your favorite YouTuber, but make sure it's to get more of Jesus Christ. Because that's where the power is. And anything else is a lame hobby. [00:32:26] (35 seconds) #BunkerUpWithJesus

You have a Jesus Christ. Spoiler alert. He wins in the end. He wins in the end. There's a lot of darkness. There's a lot of disease. There's a lot of polarization. There's a lot of like conversations about sexuality. And I feel like we're losing our generation. There's a lot of just like sin and me to him. And I'm just, Jesus wins in the end. Jesus is going to go overcome all of that. You be with him. You stick closely with him. And you'll be okay. [00:34:15] (33 seconds) #JesusWinsInTheEnd

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