1 John 2:18-22 Dear children, it is now the last hour i.e., the final period of God’s dealing with people on earth, and since you have heard that an antichrist i.e., a person who is against Christ is coming, even now you should be aware that many antichrists have already come. This is one way we know that this is the last hour.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁸ Dear children, it is [now] the last hour [i.e., the final period of God’s dealing with people on earth], and since you have heard that an antichrist [i.e., a person who is against Christ] is coming, even now [you should be aware that] many antichrists have [already] come. This is [one way] we know that this is the last hour. ¹⁹ These antichrists left our group [i.e., withdrew their fellowship from us], but they were not [really a part] of us, for if they had been, they would have continued [to participate] with us. But, by their leaving us, it proved that none of them were [really] a part of our group [after all]. ²⁰ But, you people have a “special gift” from the Holy One [Note: The Greek word for “special gift” is “charisma” and probably refers to the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2:38); “Holy One” probably refers to Jesus, (See Acts 2:27; 3:14)], and all of you know [the truth]. ²¹ I did not write to you people because you are ignorant of the truth [about these matters], but because you do know it, and because nothing false belongs to the true teaching. ²² Who is the liar? It is the person who denies that Jesus [truly] is the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen One]. This person is the antichrist [See verse 18]; he is the one who denies [the truth about] the Father and the Son.