Before we venture into the writings of John, let me say that there are traditions and speculations that state that the books of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, and the book of Revelation were not written till some time around 90-96AD (20-26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem). This may be tradition, and it may be believed by many people, but it is not my position. I believe that the topics in his epistles, and particular scriptures in Revelation help verify the books as being written sometime just before the siege of Jerusalem in 66AD. The epistles deal with similar topics that James, Peter, Paul, and Jude wrote about (the end time apostasy, the spirit of antichrist, and false teachers), and the book of Revelation itself even deals with the subject of the temple, which would not have been standing in 90-96AD. Therefore I believe that John's writings all fall in the time frame of around 66 AD. If you would like to study more on this subject there are a number of good books out there that help date the books of the Bible. One such book is, "The Development of the New Testament" by Arthur M. Ogden. Ogden does not write from a Preterist perspective. He never even mentions his eschatology. This, I feel, lends credibility to his positions. There are other books that deal with the subject, but Ogden does a good job validating the time of John's writings, as well as the other books of the New Testament.
(1st John 2:18) 18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
Up to this point we have read from other New Testament writers the term "last days". Now, John says it is the "last hour". How is it possible that a last hour could last 2000+ years? That is foolish and does a disservice to God's faithfulness and ability to convey time concepts to mankind. It was the "last hour" because these books were written right at the time when the signs Christ spoke of in the Olivet Discourse were unfolding. 64-65AD would have been the last hour of that generation.
(1st John 4:17) 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
John would have have confidence because he would be alive to see it. Remember what Christ told Peter about John? He said:
(John 21:22) 22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?
