Ques. 122. Do the words, "doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 8-11, include the whole truth of the New Testament, or do they refer in particular to the person of Christ? Why does it say they "have not God"? W. H.
Ans. The words, " doctrine of Christ", refer to the person of Christ, who was "from the beginning." (1 John 1:1.) The apostle insists on their abiding in what was from the beginning. (1 John 2:24.)
The word "transgresseth" (verse 9) means "goes forward", that is, giving up what was from the beginning. If any did this they were apostates and such teachers were antichrists (1 John 2:18,19), who had thus given up Christianity. Notice in verse 19 the "us" is the apostles and their teachings. Those who give up the "doctrine of Christ" therefore "have not God". They are blasphemers. We could not have fellowship with blasphemers of Christ. The elect lady is instructed not to receive such into her house, nor to salute such, for if she did receive them, she was partaking of their evil deeds. Nothing could be more serious; it is high treason against the Lord. But now quite often those who are separated from us through division, we can freely own as dear children of God.
Ques. 123. Please explain Matt. 24:40,41, and Luke 17:34-36. G.
Ans. These scriptures apply to the time when the Lord shall come to this world as Son of man.
He will take away in judgment all that offend, and them that do iniquity. (Matt. 13:41, 49.)
Those left behind will be the King's subjects in the earthly kingdom.
Judgment swept the earth in Noah's day and in Lot's day; so shall it be when the Son of man comes.
We often hear the words "One shall be taken and the other left," applied to the Lord's coming for His Church, but those who are taken in that event, are taken to be with the Lord, and those who are left are like the foolish virgins, left behind to believe the lie, and for judgment.
Matt. 25:13 should read, "Watch there for, for ye know neither the day nor the hour." (See New Translation and Revised Translation.) The term Son of man should not be here, as this passage stands in connection with the Lord's coming for His own.