"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
1 John 2:28
“And now, little children.”
This statement includes believers of every age and stage — all those who belong to Christ. John is continuing his theme for “little children” (1 John 2:1, 12, 18, 28).
v. 1, little children, do not sin, our Advocate.
v. 12, little children, your sins are forgiven.
v. 18, little children it is the last time, the antichrist.
v. 28, little children abide in Him.
“Abide in him.”
Remain in Him! Stay put! Jesus alone has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
“Beloved children, abide in him – in Christ Jesus. Let his word and spirit continually abide in you, and have communion with the Father and the Son” [1] (Clarke).
“That, when he shall appear.”
He will return as He promised. When? We do not know. But we are confident of His coming. Be prepared for His return so that,
“We may have confidence.”
“Confidence” here is “boldness.”
“Here it means the kind of boldness, or calm assurance, which arises from evidence of piety, and of preparation for heaven. It means that they would not be overwhelmed and confounded at the coming of the Saviour, by its being then found that all their hopes were fallacious” [2] (Barnes).
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6).
When Jesus left the disciples on the Mount of Olives, He returned to His Father. He left with a purpose and a promise to His children.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).
“And not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
But some will fear Him when He comes back. It is because they did not know Him, so they have reason to fear the Judge who has come to bring judgment on the earth. Because we have known Jesus Christ personally, we have no reason to be afraid when He returns. We long to see our Savior face to face.
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.