Surely John also wanted his readers to understand his context. This is no mere social hello. This is a churchly greeting.
A “churchly” greeting?
The only “churchly greeting I know of in Scripture, one specifically designated for Christian encounters, is this:
2Cor 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
But John uses the word for a common greeting in 2 John 1:10-11:
2Jn 1:10 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.
The word for Godspeed is “chairein.” It can mean farewell but also hello, kind of like the Hawaiian “aloha.” It’s just an ordinary well-wishing comment you might offer to anyone. There is nothing in the context that limits this strictly to church encounters. Note that you are not even allowed to let this antichrist person into your home. And when Mormons come to my home, I do not let them in.
Christians should never give antichrists a helping hand in anything, or allow them any influence over themselves or other Christians. I can hardly believe I have to actually spell this out.
Let me ask you a question. If a top leader in the Church of Satan who routinely blasphemed Christ were running for President, and he was a nice guy, a fiscal conservative, and had a real shot at beating Obama (yes, I know, unlikely, but just humor me for a moment), would you be able to vote for that person?
Peace,
SR