Understanding the Spirit of Antichrist and Christ Indwelling

2 John 1:7

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1 John 4:2-3

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 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.

To deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—specifically by taking on our human nature and dwelling within the believer's body—is the very definition of the spirit of Antichrist 1 John 4:3PTUK August 10, 1893, page 292.5. The phrase "Jesus is come in the flesh" refers both to His literal incarnation and His current presence in us through the Holy Spirit, who acts as His representative and the indwelling ComforterEVRR159+1.

The Meaning of Christ Come in the Flesh

The spirit of Antichrist is defined as any spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh 1 John 4:3. While this applies to the historical incarnation where Christ clothed His divinity with humanity, it also applies to the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:26-276BC 1082.4+1.

• A Personal Reality: The true gospel is the revelation of Jesus Christ himself in menARSH August 2, 1892, page 482.10.

• The Nature He Took: Jesus took the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of sinful flesh to show that God's will can be done in any human, sinful fleshPTUK August 2, 1894, page 481.9+1.

• Opposition to the Truth: To make Christ altogether human or to deny His actual partaking of our human nature interferes with the reality of the incarnation and the work of redemption7ABC 448.2+1.

Jesus and the Indwelling Comforter

"Jesus is come in the flesh" is inextricably linked to the presence of the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit brings the very presence of Christ to the soulPTUK July 12, 1894, page 434.1+1.

• The Representative of Christ: The Holy Spirit dwells on earth as the representative of Christ, serving as the director of God's work in usEVRR159.

• Closer Fellowship: Jesus taught that His presence in the Spirit would be a greater blessing than His presence in the flesh, because the union of Spirit with spirit is the closest possible fellowshipSOTW 75.3.

• The Mind of Christ: To have the Holy Spirit is to have the mind of Christ, which stands against the desires of the flesh and brings the body into subjectionPaM 193.3+1.

• Abiding Presence: When Christ's words are received, He becomes an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts and actions; it is no longer we who live, but Christ living in us Galatians 2:20SpTA09 77.1.

The Body as a Temple

Believing that Christ comes in "their flesh" means recognizing that the human body is the intended dwelling place for God through His Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19TSDF 168.5.

• Sacredness of the Body: Because the church is Christ's body and we are members of His flesh and bones, we must yield our physical bodies to Him so He may use them as He used His own bodyGCB April 4, 1901, page 44.1+1.

• Restoring the Image: Christ calls us to open the door of the heart so He may be an abiding presence, restoring the moral image of God in manPH162 7.1.

• Victory Over Sin: The indwelling Christ provides the power to conquer sin in the flesh, repressing evil desires while we remain in these mortal bodiesGCDB April 14, 1901, page 223.1+1.

Identifying the Spirit of Antichrist

The spirit of Antichrist is primarily the spirit of Satan, working in the children of disobedience to hide the mystery of GodPTUK August 10, 1893, page 292.5+1.

• Denial of Power: Those who have a form of godliness but do not possess the mind and spirit of Christ actually deny Him through their actions5T 436.2.

• Self-Exaltation: While Christianity is characterized by self-renunciation and the incarnation of Christ, the spirit of Antichrist is characterized by self-exaltation and the incarnation of SatanECE 603.1.

• Necessity of Faith: The world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth because it does not see or know Him; the promise of the Spirit's indwelling is received only through faithPTUK July 12, 1894, page 434.1. 🕊️