John, addresses the little children, (the young in the faith) and tells them it is the last hour. He could have said it is the eleventh hour, but his point is clear. Time is running out. How does he know? He writes that the appearance of many antichrists is the indicator. But, to his readers he writes, “You have an anointing,” “You know the truth,” and “You acknowledge the Father.”
An Anointing
John in the midst of those falling away, writes to those who stay, about their anointing. We find clarification in 2 Cor.1:21 where Paul writes “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, is God.” John comforts them by explaining that those who left, (the body of Christ), did not belong or they would have stayed. God establishes His people and anoints them.
The Truth
He further tells them they have the truth. In John 8 he quotes Jesus, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” In John 16:13 we read, “However, when the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John knows the work of the Spirit in these young believers. By the Spirit of God they are established, they know and are established in the truth. The Spirit of God will guide them into all truth. Jesus further declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Why is it the last hour? Many antichrists have come. Antichrist is anyone who denies the Father and the Son and is a liar.
Acknowledge the Son
These, little children, new in the faith, placed their trust in Jesus. They walk in the light and have fellowship with Him. As they, do His blood cleanses from all sin. Because they have acknowledged the Son, unlike the antichrists, they also acknowledge the Father. Their anointing helps them to know and understand spiritual things. To them he says, “You have an anointing,” “You know the truth,” and “You acknowledge the Father and the Son, but there are those who have left us, they are antichrist. This indicates the last hour.
