What did the apostle John reveal when he said: “It is the last hour”?

John saw the apostasy of miracle working schismatics leaving his church as fitting Christ’s description of the End Time falling away (Mt. 7:22-23; 24:11-12; Mk. 13:22-23) and writes “it is the last hour”. What did John mean? Was he speaking chronologically or did he thereby illustrate to every generation the nature and character of the false prophets who will lead the church into apostasy in the End Time? (2 Thess. 2:2-3, 7-12; Mt. 7:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:3; Jude 1:3-20; 1 John 2:18-27; 1 John 4:1-6). In context John only mentions the End-Time Antichrist to speak about a situation then happening in the 1st century, noting how similar the two times are:

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. (1 Jn. 2:18 NKJ)

John marked a new beginning by again addressing his readers as “children” (Παιδία; cf. 2:14)… The term suggests John’s fatherly concern for his beloved readers as needing his guidance in facing the current crisis.

The assertion (v. 18a). “It is the last hour” (ἐσχάτη ὥρα ἐστίν) marks the crucial situation. The term “last hour” obviously was not intended as a literal chronological assertion. Since the original does not have the definite article, two renderings, “the last hour,” or “a last hour,” are possible. In support of the former rendering, commonly used in English versions, it is held that the expression is sufficiently definite without the article, “for there can be only one last hour.” Or it may be viewed as a technical term that does not need the definite article.2 But some like Westcott3 insist on rendering the phrase “a last hour.” Since this exact expression occurs only here in the New Testament, Lenski feels that it cannot be treated as a well-known concept that needed no article, and so he asserts, “The term is plainly qualitative.”4

2 H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (reprint, New York: Macmillan Co., 1967), p. 149.
3 Brooke Foss Westcott, The Epistles of St. John: The Greek Text with Notes and Essays (reprint, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1950), p. 68.
4 R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude (1945; reprint, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1966), p. 429.

Hiebert, D. E. (1989). An Expositional Study of 1 John Part 4 (of 10 parts): An Exposition of 1 John 2:18–28. Bibliotheca Sacra, 146, 77–78.

Confirming John was not claiming “it’s the last hour” chronologically speaking, is the absence any discussion of the signs (wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes) that are “the beginning of sorrows” and which Christ said would precede the appearance of false prophets:

6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 “All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
11 “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matt. 24:6-12 NKJ)

As a Palestinian Jew, Rabbinic style of argumentation is part of John’s culture. Commentators unfamiliar with that style of argumentation often misunderstand how symbols establish the main premises. For example, one might think Christ begged the question when proving resurrection of the body:

26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well… (Mk. 12:26-28 KJV)

QUESTION—How were the Sadducees proved to be wrong?
Jesus cites the very words of God recorded in Exodus 3:6 where God said ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ Isaac and Jacob were the two other great patriarchs who had long since died when God spoke these words to Moses. Verse 27 makes the point that although their bodies had long since died, they were still alive in Moses’ time, and we may be sure that in the Resurrection God will raise up their bodies to share in the blessedness of eternal life [EBC]. Since death did not break their spiritual relationship with God, they were still alive in the invisible world even though their bodies had died [Hb]. God is a God of people who are alive because even those who have died on earth are still alive with him in heaven [TRT].-Blight, R. C. (2014). An Exegetical Summary of Mark 9–16 (p. 190). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

These commentators are right albeit for the wrong reasons. The Sadducees greatly err because the Torah they accept is inspired by God proves them twice wrong. Not only are the Patriarchs alive and not dead as the Sadducees believed, but God must also fulfill His covenant promise. Did they not read God promised THEM and their seed would live physically in the land forever? (Gen. 17:7-8; 26:3; 28:13) Therefore, the resurrection of the Body is taught in the Torah. As the scribe said, Jesus “answered them well.”

Compare this similar 1st century Rabbinic Argument against the Sadducees for the resurrection in the Jewish Talmud. Notice the premises for concluding the Torah teaches physical resurrection spring from the Act of receiving the heave-offering —only a physical body can do what God commanded be done, therefore the resurrection is taught in the Torah:

‘ Whence is the doctrine of the Resurrection derived from the Torah? As it is said, ‘ Ye shall give the Lord’s heave-offering to Aaron the priest’ (Num. xviii. 28).

But did Aaron live for ever to receive the offering? Is it not true that he did not enter the land of Israel? Consequently the text teaches that he is to be restored to life (in the Hereafter) and will receive the heave-offering. Hence the Resurrection is deducible from the Torah’ (Sanh. 90b). – Abraham Cohen, Everyman’s Talmud (Schocken Books, NY, 1995), p 358.

In similar fashion John is not stating his premises, he expects readers will infer them from his focus on the schismatic event. “This reveals that” in a form of revelatory pesher.[1]

“This is “a last hour” so like “the last hour” it reveals the identity and message of the sign working TARES, the essence of which is antichrist.

Citing the “last hour” recalls everything the church was taught about the end time unrestrained spiritism, “the energy of delusion, the “secret power” (NIV) or “mystery of lawlessness” that will energize the apostasy in the Church when TARE false prophets take over, followers of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:2-3, 7-12; 1 John 4:1-6).

John points to “the last hour” to “visually warn” his “children” about the identity of the miracle working schismatics leaving his doctrinally correct Bible-based church for a experiential delusion induced by the antichrist spirit (Compare 1 John 1:1-3 with 2 Cor. 11:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:9-12)

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which 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 they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know[3] all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1 Jn. 2:18-21 NKJ)

God gave John a clear vision of the end time, as He watched the sign working apostates trying to deceive the church, it reminded him of what will happen in the end time. “It is a last hour” he exclaims, not intending the chronological aspect be prominent. The definite article is missing.

Another example of John’s 1st century style revelatory Pesher “this reveals that” is in 1 John 4:3. Notice the present and end time are conflated:

and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 Jn. 4:3 NKJ)

John’s focus is on “the last hour”, what apostates say and do AFTER they go out from the church. To learn more about these antichrists BEFORE “the last hour” [2] while the TARES are still in the church (1 Jn. 2:19) doing signs and wonders by the energeia of Satan — we read 2 Thessalonians where the Antichrist first appears in the Church, albeit disguised as the false Christ “the man of sin”:

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition [“destruction” 684 ἀπώλεια apoleia],
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo ); only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia ) of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

[The TARES who became Antichrists]
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[versus Christian Wheat]
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thess. 2:3-17 NKJ)

John’s focus is on “the last hour”, to see who the Antichrist and his followers are in the beginning of the end time week, click this link:
The Coming False Christ and His Followers Revealed

The Antithesis (or Christians versus Anti-Christians):
The “mystery of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:7-12) versus the “mystery of Godliness” (2 Thess. 2:13-14; 1 Tim. 3:16).

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 – The Mystery of Lawlessness:

The Mystery of Lawlessness telepathically (Lk. 8:12; 2Cor. 4:4; Jam. 1:13; Jer. 14:14) inspires rebellion against God’s law. It is a working (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9) that inwardly deludes, a “strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion” (2 Thess. 2:11) the “Lawless One” is Christ (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 7, 9-11; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 2:18-19; Rev. 6:2; Mat. 7:22-23; 24:4-5).

Versus:

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 3:16 – The Mystery of Godliness:

The Mystery of Godliness is the secret power of the Holy Spirit inspiring “lawfulness”, “the working (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) which works (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) in me mightily” (Col. 1:29) to obey “the word of God, which also effectively works (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). Sanctification by the Spirit and obedient belief in God’s Word of Truth (2 Thess. 2:13-15; John 17:17; 1 John 2:20-21; 1 John 4:6).

The TARES among the Thessalonians filled with the energy of Satan or “secret power” that inspires rebellion against God’s law the Bible, had produced false revelation by “word spirit letter” that the resurrection-gathering was past (2 Tim. 2:18), that Jesus came and left them behind.

The spirit of antichrist was already at work in the 1st century even though God the Holy Spirit was actively restraining its full manifestation (2 Thess. 2:6-7). It was the appearance of these “lawless” counterfeit-believers that caused many in the church to despise prophecy (1 Thess. 5:20) and want to forbid tongues speaking (1 Cor. 14:39).

When answering Corinthian questions (Περὶ δὲ 1 Cor. 7:1; 8:1) about pagan “spiritual [ones]” (τῶν πνευματικῶν) Paul distinguished genuine χάρισμα from counterfeit πνευματικῶν gifts inspired by demon spirits:

1 Now concerning spiritual (4152 πνευματικός pneumatikos) [gifts], brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant (50 ἀγνοέω agnoeo):
2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away (520 ἀπάγω apago) to these dumb idols, however you were led (71 ἄγω ago).
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts (5486 χάρισμα charisma), but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts (5486 χάρισμα charisma) of healings by the same Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor. 12:1-11 NKJ)

Paul does not want the Corinthians to be ignorant. That this is more than desire is evident from Paul’s dispelling their ignorance by reminding them of former pagan experiences, the supernatural things they did, the irrational beliefs once held and the loss of control “however you were led”:

c. pres. act. infin. of ἀγνοέω (See this word at 10:1): ‘to be ignorant’ [Herm; ISV, KJV, NET, NIV], ‘to leave (one) in ignorance’ [NAB], ‘to be uninformed’ [NRSV], ‘to remain without knowledge’ [NIGTC], ‘to be under delusions’ [ICC]. The phrase οὐ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν ‘I do not wish you to be ignorant’ is translated ‘I want you to be quite certain’ [NJB], ‘I want you to know the truth about them’ [TEV], ‘I want you to understand the facts’ [TNT], ‘I want there to be no misunderstanding’ [REB], ‘for I must correct your misunderstandings about them’ [NLT], not explicit [CEV].-Trail, R. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of 1 Corinthians 10–16 (2nd ed., p. 114). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

“The chief allusion is to the complete dominance of impulse”

1 Corinthians 12:1-2. Spiritual [4152 πνευματικός pneumatikos] gifts. “Gifts” is not in the original. The term is more general: “Spiritual matters,” embracing “gifts,” “ministrations,” and “workings” of vers. 5, 6. I would not have you ignorant. (Comp. 10:1; Rom. 1:13.) Ye were led away. He contrasts their condition under the spiritual darkness of Heathenism, with that which they now enjoy with the spiritual illumination of the Gospel. The folly of idolatry is declared by the expression dumb idols. (See Is. 44:15–20; Ps 115:4–8.) But beyond this, the chief allusion is to the complete dominance of impulse. They were at the mercy of every fantastic suggestion that was made. There was nothing fixed and stable; everything was uncertain and vacillating, as the words howsoever ye might be led imply.-Jacobs, H. E., Spieker, G. F., & Swensson, C. A. (1897). Annotations on the Epistles of Paul to 1 Corinthians 7–16, 2 Corinthians and Galatians. (H. E. Jacobs, Ed.) (Vol. VIII, p. 77). New York: The Christian Literature Co.

“Spiritual Ones” not “spiritual gifts”:

If the genitive plural τῶν πνευματικῶν (tōn pneumatikōn) is read as masculine, then the issue revolves around “the spiritual persons” and their characteristics. If it is read as neuter, then the issue concerns the nature of “the spiritual things” or “the spiritual gifts.” The ambiguity reflects the fact that Paul picks up an issue raised by the Corinthians, which they would understand, even if we do not.

The adjective πνευματικός (pneumatikos) appears fourteen times in 1 Corinthians. Four times it refers to persons (2:13, 15; 3:1; 14:37), six times to things (2:13; 9:11; 10:3–4; 14:1), and four times to the contrast between the body animated by the Spirit and the body animated by the soul (15:44–46). Some argue from its usage in 2:15, 3:1, and 14:37 that it is masculine and refers to the spiritual people.-Garland, D. E. (2003). 1 Corinthians (pp. 561–562). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Paul’s reminder the Corinthians once were pagan “spiritual ones” weights the translation to “Now concerning the spiritual [ones]” and the things they do. 1 Corinthians 12:3 confirms the contrast is between “evil” and “good”—what the Holy Spirit cannot do [revealing the antichrist spirit] versus what He can do [revealing the Holy Spirit].

This contrast is implied throughout this context. It follows the “diversities of gifts” all inspired by One Holy Spirit imply the “diversities of gifts” of pagan “spiritual ones” are inspired by different spirits.

Therefore, it is exegetically sound to infer from Paul’s discussion of the “diversities of gifts” (prophecy tongues knowledge healing etc.) in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, that “spirits of antichrist” can inspire similar counterfeit gifts.

Compare what apostates plead on Judgment Day. They had a relationship with an antichrist spirit they thought was Christ (cp. 2 Cor. 11:4), but Jesus replies “I never knew you”. Therefore, antichrist spirits inspired their Christian-like gifts because it is impossible Christ’s Spirit operate without His knowledge (John 16:30; 21:17 cp. Mk. 5:30):

22 “Many will say to Me in that day,`Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 “And then I will declare to them,`I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7:22-23 NKJ)

Casting out demons is to be distinguished from the other “Christian like” signs and wonders TARES do (Mt. 7:22-23). When Satanists, Sorcerers, Spiritualists, and non-Christian religions successfully exorcise demons, its not accomplished by the power of the Devil because Satan never works against himself, therefore it is impossible “Satan casts out Satan” (Mt. 12:25-27). Satanic exorcism is masterful deception, the demon feigns discomfort and willingly leaves the possessed so both practitioner and victim believe the “lie” the “sign” or “wonder” taught (2 Th. 2:9). For example, these “itinerant Jewish exorcists” added the names of Jesus and Paul to their usual magic incantations. Unlike previous exorcisms, the demon chose not to leave and the man it possessed attacked the exorcists physically (Acts 19:13-16). The same is true of the End Time TARE False Prophets whom Christ says are the “children of the Devil” (Mt. 13:38). Their casting out demons is unlike signs and wonders done by the energeia tou Satana (2 Th. 2:9), here the casting out is a satanic ruse to deceive the exorcism is done by the Holy Spirit. Jesus denies that is possible as He “never knew” them.

Paul reveals objective tests that identify the spirit controlling a “prophet’s tongue”: No one inspired by God says “Jesus is accursed’ nor can demon spirits confess “Jesus Christ is LORD”.

[This recalls John’s “test the spirits” command in 1 John 4:1-3. ONLY while the spirit controls the prophet’s tongue can it be tested whether it can confess “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” or “Jesus Christ is LORD”. If the “prophet” is not under direct control of a spirit the test is null and void because humans can lie and confess anything they want.

From personal experience I testify this test works well when demons appear in dreams or visions. Any form demons take will vanish when the demand is made they confess “Jesus is LORD” or that “Jesus came in the flesh”. Reportedly “alien abductions” end when abductees cry out to Jesus, therefore its certain the test would work in those situations also.]

The NT identifies who the TARES are and what they do: They work signs and wonders, speak ecstatic utterance they can’t interpret, rail against Satan and demons, focus on riches and are slaves to sin:

4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (Jude 1:4-13 NKJ)

They manifest a “form of godliness” but like the sorcerers Jannes and Jambres who worked miracles energized by Satan (Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7), they deny the power of Godliness, preferring instead the mystery of lawlessness to the truth of Scripture (2 Thess. 2:9-12):

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Tim. 3:2-9 NKJ)

There are two phases of Antichrist. In the beginning of the end-time seven-year “week” the “Man of Sin” False Christ appears, and all the TARE prophets and dreamers hail him as “the Christ”. But at mid-week or 3 ½ years Adonikam reveals himself to be the “son of Destruction” and declares himself greater than Yahweh God, taking his TARE Antichrists with him persecuting the true church and preaching antichrist doctrines (2 Thess. 2:3-12):

[About this see:
The Two Phases of Antichrist: Man of Sin & Son of Destruction]

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 they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 Jn. 2:18-23 NKJ)

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 Jn. 4:1-6 NKJ)

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (2 Jn. 1:7-12 NKJ)

More on the TARES
In parables our LORD Jesus refers to the church as “the Kingdom (932 βασιλεία basileia)” of heaven”, the “land or dominion subject to the rule of heaven” that has been invaded by Satan and his Tares who work evil:

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 “But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 “So the servants of the owner came and said to him,`Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 “He said to them,`An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him,`Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29 “But he said,`No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 `Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”‘” (Matt. 13:24-30 NKJ)

Commentators who ignore the context of Satan at work in the church planting Tares (Mt. 13:24-30) miss the identification of the “birds of the heavens [plural]” πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (Mat. 13:31; Dan. 4:21 BGT) that infest religious Babylon (Rev. 18:2) the font of all false religion and tyranny since the Tower of Babel, the proverbial “Mother of Harlots” (Rev. 17:5; Zech. 5:9-11).

The reference to brick and mortar (Gen. 11:3-4) imply an imposed uniformity and cohesion to build the Tower whose “top is in the heavens” giving the community a “name that unites them” in a context where God’s gift of Language is being misused on a global scale (Gen. 11:1, 6-8). This could be an excellent allegory of antichristian religious and political tyranny deploying “politically correct speech” that enslaves to build a communist-like state that unites against God as though it is God.

[‘Does God care we know about bricks and mortar?’ Compare 1 Cor. 9:9-10. The antithesis God’s gift of Liberty versus man’s tyranny—God loves creation organically manifest itself (Joshua 8:31) at His Altar. His Gift is eternal life in Liberty that passes all understanding—absolute freedom from sin and perversion to enjoy all God has given us! “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:19-21) We will be ourselves in perfect liberty! (1 Cor. 2:9) ” As for Allegory in Scripture, it happens: Gal. 4:22-31]

31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
32 “which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31-32 NKJ)

“The great (3173 μέγας megas) city” spans history (cp. Rev. 12:1) “the city of false religion” (Rev. 17:18) that has poisoned the waters since the Tower of Babylon (Gen. 11:3) so men drink “spiritism as water” and become drunk as with wine (Rev. 17:2, 4, 15; 18:3). The Harlot engulfed the church long ago. That is implied by God’s command the church “come out of her, my people” (Rev. 18:4; Jer. 51:6, 45). Hence the Birds in the branches of a tree in the “kingdom of heaven” are demons (cp. Dan. 4:10-12, 20-22; Rev. 18:2) sowing spiritual wickedness from heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). The imagery of demons as animals is carried over from the OT (Isa. 34:11-13; Jer. 50:39; 51:37). In the End time the illuminating glory of “another angel” exposes the demon infestation that inspired the experiences driving the Babylonians mad with lust and sorcery (Rev. 18:1-2).

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! (Rev. 18:1-2 NKJ)

The Harlot Babylon is the woman who mixes leaven (evil: Ex. 12:15; Lev. 2:11; 6:17; 10:12; Matt. 16:6, 11–12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:7–8; Gal. 5:8–9) into the church:

33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,
35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 13:33-35 NKJ)

Our Lord Jesus doesn’t boast or babble, nor would God depict Him doing so. Therefore, God the Holy Spirit expects readers will infer His reason for inserting “I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world” here. He does so because the identity of the woman is found in scripture (Zech. 5:5-11; Rev. 17:4-5). She secretly hides evil lies in religious teaching. [So called “higher critical theories” are unsound, should be rejected. God obviously wrote scripture for the people of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Isa. 8:16-20). Compare Mt. 24:15, where the Holy Spirit is speaking to YOU the reader, that you exercise caution to distinguish the “abomination of desolation” in the prophet Daniel]. “The Harlot Babylon” a mystery (3466 μυστήριον musterion) or secret revealed in the Apocalypse (Rev. 17:3-7), working against God since the Tower of Babylon (0894 בָּבֶל Babel), aka the “Gate of God” whose top is “in the heavens”. The Tower top in the heavens implies competition and opposition to Yahweh God of the heavens.

God’s desire was man not dominate man to his own injury, but they live in freedom obeying His commands in accord with their own God given conscience (Rom. 2:14-15; 9:1; 1 Sam. 8:5-7; 12:19). They were to fill the earth and multiply (Gen. 1:22), not congregate in cities enslaved (Gen. 11:1-9) by a Dictator ruling from the “clouds” (Gen. 11:4; 10:8-11) as though he were divine. This is Babylon the Great, the first religious opposition to God, having authority over the pagan beast governments of the earth (Rev. 17:3-5, 18), demons nesting in its branches (Dan. 4:20-22; Rev. 18:1-2). Harlot Babylon is this secret (3466 μυστήριον musterion) corrupter of government and religion. She is “Great” (“mega” 3173 μέγας megas) because she existed since the dawn of history infecting every religion and government with her evil secretly, demon inspired religious falsehoods having first appeared in ancient Babylon. In the End Time she reappears in the rebuilt city of Babylon in the Kingdom of the beast (Rev. 17:3-6), which no doubt will have something like a wonderous tower in it (Rev. 13:3-4). The Religous Harlot will rise perhaps like the World Council of Churches rose in the United Nations. All the earth’s religions will join her.

When the Man of sin morphs into the Beast Son of destruction the Harlot’s religious services are no longer required, the ten-horn political base of the Beast will burn her with fire. The only worship permitted is to the Beast (Rev. 17:12-13; 13:5-8; 14:9-12; Dan. 9:27). Babylon the Great is not the church, the Harlot infected the church with evil and engulfed her (Rev. 11:1-2). The daughter of Zion (the church) will flee the proximity of Babylon lest “share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (Micah 4:10; Rev. 12:6; 18:4).

The Tares will vastly outnumber the wheat during the great apostasy of Christendom (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 7-12; 1 Tim. 4:1) in the “last hour” of the End Time (1 John 2:18-19) when all pretense of Christianity is replaced by worship of the Seed of Satan (Gen. 3:15) Adonikam (Rev. 13:18; Ezra 2:13) the Beast, who ascends at “mid-week” killing Moses and Elijah and persecuting the church (Rev. 11:7; 13:5; 14:9-13; Dan. 9:27).

22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. (Mk. 13:22-23 NKJ)

END NOTES

[1]

PESHER (Heb. פֵּשֶׁר), word meaning “interpretation.” It occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible: “Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?” (Eccl. 8:1). However, the Aramaic word peshar occurs 31 times in the Aramaic portion of Daniel, where it mainly refers to dream interpretation.

In Qumran texts, it usually occurs after a biblical quotation, introducing its interpretation. As such it refers to a particular technique of interpretation which may be paralleled to midrashic exegesis.

What is distinctive of Qumran is both the systematic application of such a technique to a given prophetic work and its specific purpose. On the one hand, it had the result of creating a fixed literary structure, mostly known from the “continuous” pesharim. Those works quote one “prophetic” book verse by verse, each verse being followed by its interpretation, aiming at giving the plain meaning of the Prophet’s words as a whole. On the other hand, their aim is to read historical and eschatological events into the biblical prophecies, understanding them as describing their own sect’s situation on the verge of the eschaton.-Jewish Virtual Library https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/pesher

[2]
We can “reverse engineer” John’s first epistle, assume he contradicts the beliefs and practices of the antichrists throughout. For example, antichrists disputed John’s account about Christ (1 John 1:1-4; 2:24-26); claimed there is darkness in God (1 John 1:5) ; Claimed to be sinless (1 John 1:8) etc. Read John’s Epistle for a full list.

[3]

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know (1492 εἰδῶ eido) all things.

God the Holy Spirit illuminates every believer, bearing witness “Spirit to human spirit” which manifests itself in our conscience or perception in a very deep nonverbal way. Its perception, a “knowing” (1492 εἰδῶ eido 1 John 2:20-21) communicated by the anointing Holy Spirit to our spirit, making us “know” God is our Abba Father (Rom. 8:15-16) or that Jesus is God’s Eternal Son the Word who became flesh (John 1:12-14). We “know” when something is “wrong”, we can perceive the difference between the genuine and the counterfeit—“all things [about the antichrist spirit]”; when it manifests and what it teaches (Rom. 8:15-16. Compare Rom. 9:1; 1 Cor. 2:14-16).

To illustrate John’s point, the Holy Spirit will inspire “doubts” He is causing people to “gyrate like snakes, bark like dogs or act drunk in the spirit”. The perception only an antichrist spirit (“instead of Christ” 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Cor. 12:2-3; 1 Jn. 4:2-3) would do that, will be powerful. BUT that causes a dilemma, because Jesus promised God would not give a serpent to those who ask for a fish (Mt. 7:10).

However, John insists believers believe their anointing, its “no lie” therefore one must revisit the interpretation of the text. That resolves the contradiction—Jesus’ promise applies only to God’s children, not the TARE children of the Devil sown among God’s wheat (Mt. 13:24-30):

11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Lk. 11:11-13 NKJ)

In the last days, I will pour out of my Spirit
Was the NT Church like a Modern Pentecostal Church?
Baptism in the Spirit: The Experience
The Cessation of Tongues compelled Paul write Tongues will cease
Does 1 Corinthians 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 13:10 prove Continuance of the Revelatory Gifts?
The Origin of Satan and Demons
The Coming False Christ and His Followers Revealed