In our sermon text, the Apostle John reminds his readers to abide in the message they first received, knowing that eternal life is at stake. They were to do so in the face of opposition that denied the message they had been given. Opposition was to be expected, however, because the last hour—along with many antichrists—had already arrived in John's day. We, too, should expect opposition as the Lord’s return approaches, abiding in the message we have received so that we may not shrink from him in shame at his coming.