1 John 2:12-14 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him That is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him That is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 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.
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
19:13-14 Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 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.
- There John writes of three various types of believers. Fathers, Little Children and Young Men. Of the "little children" He tells us.....
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
19:13-14 Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
- Jesus is separating the "little children," from the others and tells them (in all the above) that their "sins are forgiven," that they "know the Father," and He warns them that they are now being (not will be) seduced and to abide in the Father. So, "little children," are believers but....they have not yet overcome the wicked one! If they don't fall into apostasy they will achieve the kingdom but...they are not yet...young men/the man child.
The "young men" are the very elect. They are the man child of end times. They have overcome and He, the Word of God, abides in them. The "little children" are told to "abide in Him" but He Himself abides in the young men.
Then we have the fathers. Who are the "fathers" John writes to that "have known Him that is from the beginning?"
