19 | January | 2022 | For What Saith the Scriptures?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN “GOD SPEED” IN 2 JOHN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In 2 John 10-11, the Holy Spirit writes: “[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” What is this “God speed?”

The larger context, of course, is found in verses 7-11: “[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whosoever 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. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

“God speed” is a greeting which basically means, “May God prosper you on your missionary journey!” “Speed” is an archaic word derived from the Old English “spowan,” meaning “succeed, prosper.” (See our related study about “All hail” linked at the end of this article.) Obviously, it would not make sense for a Christian believer to endorse anti-Christian teaching. How absurd is the wish for God to prosper a false teacher’s ministry! The Apostle John is addressing Israel’s believing remnant during Daniel’s 70^th Week, the time of the Antichrist, the false messiah.

“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” (1 John 2:18). “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:3). “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7).

Speaking of this time of Daniel’s 70^th Week, Jesus Christ delivered His Olivet Discourse.

Matthew chapter 24: “[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many…. [23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [25] Behold, I have told you before.”

Mark chapter 13: “[5] And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: [6] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…. [21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: [22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. [23] But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”

Luke 21:8: “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”

It was on the basis of these verses the Apostle John later wrote what he did in his little epistles of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. Since the nation Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah/Christ during His earthly ministry 2,000 years ago, and persists in this unbelief even now is this the Dispensation of the Grace of God, the nation is headed for the culmination of Satan’s lie program.

See 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12: “[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Also, Jesus Himself said of the Antichrist, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (John 5:43).

During Daniel’s 70^th Week, or the Tribulation, or the reign of the Antichrist, these passages will be fulfilled. In other words, Israel in unbelief is still waiting for Messiah/Christ to come the first time—and that will set the nation up for supporting various “antichrists” or “false Christs” which will ultimately lead to the Antichrist. The followers of these corrupt men are they who are not to be bidden “God speed.” They are preaching, “The Antichrist is Christ/Messiah,” which is nothing but a false gospel. God certainly would not prosper Satan’s work.