Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. It is the last hour. That is, according to the common interpretation, the last age of the world, from the coming of Christ to the day of judgment, and the end of the world, which Saint Paul calls the end and consummation of ages. Hebrews 9:26.—And as you have heard that antichrist (the great antichrist) cometh, or is to come in this last age: now there are already many antichrists; that is as the word signifies, many adversaries to Christ, who are forerunners of the great and last antichrist. Witham.—Many antichrists; that is, many heretics, enemies of Christ and his Church, and forerunners of the great antichrist. Challoner.—S. Cyprian says all are called antichrists that have divided themselves from the charity and unity of the Catholic Church. Ep. lxxvii. ad Magnum.—Whereby we know that it is the last hour, it being foretold that many false prophets should rise in the latter days. Matthew 24:11. and so forth Witham.