Correspondence: 2 John 8-11; Matt. 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36

From: Young Christian: Volume 5, 1915

2 John 8‑11; Matthew 24:40‑41; Luke 17:34‑36 • 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Question 122: Do the words, “doctrine of Christ” in 2 John 8-11⁸Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. ⁹Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: ¹¹For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (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.

Answer: The words, “doctrine of Christ”, refer to the person of Christ, who was “from the beginning.” (1 John 1:1¹That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (1 John 1:1).) The Apostle insists on their abiding in what was from the beginning. (1 John 2:24²⁴Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. (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 2:18,19¹⁸Little 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. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (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.

Question 123: Please explain Matthew 24:40,41⁴⁰Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40‑41), and Luke 17:34-36³⁴I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. ³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ³⁶Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Luke 17:34‑36). G.

Answer: 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, 49⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:41)
⁴⁹So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, (Matthew 13:49).)

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.

Matthew 25:13¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 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.

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