1. Antichrist denies Jesus was just a MAN
When Jesus came to the world, was he fully God, or was he fully God and fully man, or was he just fully man? The truth is Jesus came as 100% fully a mere flesh man. But those of the spirit of antichrist deny this truth. Let’s see Scripture to examine this revelation, and look to why antichrist denies Jesus was just a man! 1 John 4:3 says, "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…" 2 John 1:7 says, "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." Flesh is just meat. Man is a soul born in a flesh body. Scripture says every spirit that does not confess Jesus came in the flesh (that is, as fully man), is not of God. Further, Scripture says those who do not confess this key truth, are deceivers of the spirit of antichrist.
What is the purpose of this deception? The spirit of Christ leads us to sin no more. The spirit of antichrist opposes this leading—it deceives you to comfortably remain in doing sin. So, what does Jesus coming as fully man or God, have to do with us striving to overcome sin? Because Jesus came to the world as just a mere man, his life becomes a model of how we also can and should live without sin in this present world. 1 Peter 2:21-22 says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin…" Apostle Peter wrote Jesus left us an example of how to live. God calls us is to follow Jesus’s steps to stop sinning. But if antichrist deceives you to think Jesus came as more than man (that he came as God with divine powers), then following Jesus’s sinless life seems impossible.
2. Man called to be HOLY as God is HOLY
We are NOT called to become God, who is our all-powerful Creator. But we are called to become like Him in character of being righteous and holy. If we choose child-like obedience to Jesus’s commandments, we can become like God in character. 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." To be holy in "all manner of conversation" does not mean be holy in just our speech, it is to be holy in all aspects of our conduct and walk of life. God calls us to be holy, but why? Scripture says God calls us to be holy because He is holy. This reason is important. God desires to have children who are like Him in character. And He calls them to be holy to the standard of being as holy as He is holy.
Jesus came as fully man to show the narrow way of how to be an obedient child of God who grows to become a mature son of God. Philippians 2:15-16 says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life…" Sons of God are blameless and without rebuke in obeying God’s Word for eternal life. They followed the commandments, teaching and steps of man Jesus to put to death their former deeds of sinful lust and become holy. Those who become sons of God will inherit their heavenly Father’s kingdom. This is God’s purpose in creating mankind. God desires to have Sons who are like Him in character; who are as righteous and holy as He is righteous and holy. And God rewards his Sons with inheritance in His kingdom. People do not leave their inheritance to their pet fish or dog, because these creatures who are not like them. Inheritance is given to our children who are like us. So, also, God gives inheritance of His Heavenly kingdom to Sons of God who strove to become like Him in character. Jesus came in the flesh as fully man to show the way of transforming from a Son of Man to a Son of God.
3. Man created in God’s IMAGE to have a SOUL
How can a mere creation of God transform to become a son of God? God created our soul in His identical image. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Our soul is the invisible inner person of who we are—our intentions and inclinations. God made our soul in the exact image of His soul. In the beginning God created Adam and Eve with 3 parts—soul, flesh body, and spirit. The soul is the inner person we are. The visible flesh body gives the soul physical life. The invisible spirit body gives the soul spiritual life. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandment in the Garden of Eve, they lost the spirit covering of their soul and became spiritually dead souls. After that, people were born as souls in only a flesh body.
So, we are all born as spiritually dead souls. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men…" Sin is the root cause of spiritual death. This is why Jesus preached we must be born again of the spirit. This is so our soul is made spiritually alive with the covering of the spirit body. In John 3:6-7 Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." If we repent of sin and cry to God for help to obey Him, He gives us the holy spirit to become spiritual newborns. Then our soul has both a visible flesh body and an invisible spirit body. Although our soul is created in God’s image, the spirit is needed to become children of God who are like God in character.
4. SONS of God are led by SPIRIT of God
Being born of the spirit is just the beginning point. To grow from a spiritual newborn to immature child of God to mature son of God requires diligent obedience. The desire of the flesh and the desire of the spirit oppose one another. So, our soul is in the midst of a tug of war. Galatians 5:17, 19-21 says, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would…Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." The spirit guides us to do righteous, holy works. The sinful lust of the flesh is contrary or against the spirit. The flesh pulls us to do evil works.
A born-again believer may desire to follow the lead of the holy spirit. But initially, their spirit is weaker, and the flesh body may override the spirit body. To overcome, we need God’s help to put to death the sinful deeds of the flesh body. How to get this help? Christ Jesus gives power to those who receive him as Lord of their life. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…" His name is Lord Jesus Christ. Lord means master. If we receive, believe, and obey him as Master of our life, He gives us power to become sons of God. Romans 8:13-14 says, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." To mortify is to put to death. This is not an instant easy fix. Christ Jesus empowers the spirit of those who accept him as Lord. However, we must do our part of using this power to put to death the carnal nature of our flesh body. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God.
Because our flesh nature is a part of own self, this path comes with suffering. But as we crush and mortify our flesh nature through the power of Christ, our spirit nature grows in strength. God calls us to this transformation of mind so that we may gain eternal life. Romans 8:5-7 says, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." When our mind is transformed from carnal to spiritual, the sinful things we used to enjoy and crave, we now abhor. As our soul is purified of the lust of the flesh, we now love and hold onto spiritual things that are true, pure, just, and godly. 1 Peter 1:22 says, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…" The key to transforming from a Son of man to a Son of God is through the spirit obeying the truth which Jesus commanded and taught.
5. God is NOT Man
Jesus gave up his status as God, and came in the flesh to serve as an example of how we also can become a son of God. So, what does it mean that Jesus went from being fully God to becoming fully man? A born-again man is a soul with spirit and flesh body. God is 3 souls in 1 Omnipotent spirit body. In the Old Testament, the 3 persons of God were called God the most High, God the Word, and Spirit of God. In the New Testament, the same 3 souls are called God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. 1 John 5:7 says, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." The 3 souls of God are in one Omnipotent spirit body. Although man’s soul is created in the image of God, man and God are quite distinct. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man …" A defining difference between man and God is their body. Man has a flesh body that is very limited in capacity of what he can do, where he can be, and what he understands. Man’s flesh body makes him visible and mortal. On the other hand, God has an all-powerful spirit body that is infinite in capacity—He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Revelation 19:6 says, "... Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." God’s Omnipotent Spirit body makes Him invisible and immortal. 1 Timothy 1:17 says "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever." No one can see God and live. And no one can kill God.
6. Jesus came as FLESH man
How did Jesus go from being God the Word to coming to the world as fully man Jesus? The key difference between man and God is the body. Jesus became a mere man when his soul left the all-powerful Spirit body of God and entered the limited flesh body created for him in Mary’s womb. Hebrews 10:5 says, "Wherefore when he [Jesus] cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared for me…" John 1:14 says, "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." When God the Word gave up his status of being God, his soul left the Omnipotent spirit body of God and took on the weaknesses and limitations of a flesh man. Philippians 2:6-8 says, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." God is all powerful, invisible and immortal. But Jesus as man was vulnerable and killed on the cross in public display. He could not even save himself from death. Hebrews 5:7 says, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he [Jesus] had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him [God] that was able to save him from death…" Hebrews 2:9 says, "Jesus... was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death." Angels themselves are creations of God. Scripture says Jesus was made lower than angels for the purpose that he suffers death as a mortal man.
7. Jesus came as Flesh to be an EXAMPLE
Jesus came in the flesh to die, but he also came in the flesh to live. Jesus’s death is important for the forgiveness of past sin of those converted to obey God. Jesus’s life is equally important; it gives an example of how we also can and should live free of sin in this present world. 1 Peter 2:21-22, 24 says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin…Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." Because Jesus died on the cross, we ought to die to sin and live righteously. God calls us to follow Jesus’s steps to stop sinning. Jesus did not come as a fully mature Son of God. He came in the flesh as a Son of man, and he grew in spirit to become a Son of God. Luke 2:40 says, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." To wax strong in spirit, is to increase or grow in spirit. Jesus withstood suffering as he obeyed God. Hebrews 5:8 says, "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered…" The path of obedience brings suffering. But if we follow Jesus’s steps to live a righteous, holy life in this world, we may also follow him to receive glory in Heaven.
8. Son of God LOVES Father by OBEYING
God calls us to grow to become sons of God who love Him as Jesus loved Him. Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Jesus was the firstborn Son of God, and we are to follow his steps to also become sons of God as brethren. Predestinate here does not mean God chose in advance which individuals will become sons of God. Rather it means God’s purpose for mankind was already set from creation. It is our choice to accept or reject this opportunity. If we truly love God the Father, we will conform ourself to be in the image of his Son Jesus by following his steps. A son of God who loves his heavenly Father obeys His commandments and does His will. Jesus’s life demonstrated this love. In John 14:31 Jesus said, "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." The proof of loving God the Father is not in joining prayer meetings and song services, or giving tithes and offerings. The proof of loving God the Father is in doing what He commands us to do. Jesus came in the flesh as fully a son of man. Yet he put to death the carnal nature and waxed strong in spirit to become a son of God fully dedicated to doing his Father’s will. John 4:34 says, "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
Pastors of the spirit of Antichrist preach loving God, but their way of loving God does not require obeying God. This is why the deceiving spirit of antichrist denies Jesus came in the flesh as 100% man. Antichrist does not want you to follow the steps of Jesus. Antichrist does not want you to stop sinning. The spirit of antichrist deceives you to continue in doing sin, with the lie that it’s impossible to follow Jesus’s example because he was more than just a flesh man, that he was somehow God also with divine power. 1 John 4:1-3 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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." The spirit of God reveals the truth that Jesus came in the flesh as 100% just a man.
In the next passage, please notice the verses that come immediately before and after the warning that it is a deceiving spirit of antichrist that denies Jesus came in the flesh as fully man. These verses contain two core truths that antichrist tries to undermine with his deception. The first truth, to love God the Father is to walk in obedience to His commandments. The second truth, our level of reward in Heaven will be according to our works of obedience. Here is that passage. 2 John 1:6-8 says, "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 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. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward." The Word of God teaches us to love God the Father by following the steps of Jesus to walk in obedience. And we are exhorted to put full continued effort in this endeavor, because in eternity we receive our reward according to what we did. Do not be deceived. Be diligent in following after the example that Jesus left when he came in the flesh as just a mere man, like you and me.