Verse 24: What You’ve Heard From the Beginning
As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Twenty-four times John uses the verb to “let it remain” in this letter as he exhorts his beloved spiritual children regarding the promised eternal life that will be given to those in whom the Father and the Son live through faith in the gospel.
“What you’ve heard from the beginning”: the phrase refers to the true apostolic declaration concerning the Son of God:
John 1:1-2 (CSB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
1st John 1:1-2 (CSB) What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us
Despite the great conflict within the Church that has arisen as false teachers and false prophets attempt to dissuade believers from the authentic faith of Christ, John reassures his beloved spiritual children of God’s promised eternal life that abides with all who keep faith in the true testimony of Christ.
The beloved apostle wants them to preserve their faith in Christ and obey him through love.
“If it does, you will also remain”: this conditional proposition both encourages and admonishes believers to fix their hope on Christ and persevere in his word with endurance to the end:
1st John 2:17 (CSB) And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
Hebrews 10:36-39 (CSB) For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.
“You also will remain in the Son and in the Father”: this is the Lord’s faithful promise:
John 14:23 (CSB) Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Biblical Reasons 