Judas Iscariot

Create Date: 23-Jun-2019

Future Appearance as the Antichrist? No

Last updated: 19-Apr-2024

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Sections

1 Identity 2 Judas Iscariot have Salvation?
3 Did Jesus Christ Chose Judas as a Disciple? 4 Old Testament References of Betrayals
5 Possessed by Lucifer 6 Judas Iscariot Destiny
7 Antichrist is Judas Iscariot?  No 8 Death by Suicidal Hanging, Body Rotted, and Burst Open

Identity

Judas Iscariot was prophesized in the Old Testament to betray Jesus Christ  and Judas Iscariot was in the position of a Disciple of Jesus Christ.  Judas Iscariot was using the position for his own benefit, with the hopes of gaining power and wealth.  The other Disciples, for a period of time, considered Judas Iscariot a friend, and Jesus Christ treated him kindly knowing his true intentions and the future betrayal by him. 

Judas Iscariot's position in the Disciples was the Treasurer.  Judas is recorded in the scriptures as making a comment that was intended to disguise the hidden dishonest motivation to profit from his position.  In modern-day terms, it is the equivalent of a person who is in a position of accounts receivable in a company and uses the position to falsely hide transactions to enable stealing of money that was being paid to the company.  In one example, Judas Iscariot had a disagreement with Jesus Christ on perfume usage, John 12:3-6, that exposed Judas's true agenda, where Jesus Christ was not deceived. 

John 12:3-6 3 Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor? 6 Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the money bag took away what was put therein.

Judas Iscariot, as implied in the scriptures, was against Jesus Christ's mission to come to earth to provide a full sin restitution to enable Salvation, then unknown by Judas Iscariot, was followed later in the future with the two Second Comings distinct missions

The nation of Israel at the time of Jesus Christ's ministry, even to this day, have a theory of two different Messiahs based on many scriptural passages including Isaiah 53 where one is the suffering servant and the other messiah is a conqueror.  Some of the Sanhedrin and Judas Iscariot were expecting and wanting Jesus Christ to be in the role of the conqueror and ruler.

Judas Iscariot have Salvation?

Jesus Christ predicted several times in His walk with the Disciples that he would be betrayed.  This demonstrates Jesus Christ's foreknowledge of Judas Iscariot's actions.  Notice the phrase "and one of you is a devil", and betrayal is meant as someone trusted to perform and act one way and does the exact opposite to the harm of someone, and others. 

John 6:66-71 66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God. 70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Judas Iscariot never received and asked for Salvation, which is reflected in John 17:12.  The structure of the grammar used by Jesus Christ in John 17:12 reflects that Judas Iscariot was never part of the twelve Disciples by the words used in the original Koine Greek. 

If Judas Iscariot was part of the twelve in having Salvation, then the words used would mean "None has been lost except for the one that I would NOT save" as if Jesus Christ refused to give Salvation to Judas Iscariot, which is not true.  This is confirmed when Judas Iscariot stated "I have betrayed innocent blood", which gives all of us the thoughts of Judas Iscariot after the betrayal.  Judas Iscariot had been scheming against Jesus Christ and additionally all of the Disciples during the fellowship as exemplified by stealing from their treasury.

John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost but the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Biblical Scholars state there are at least four reasons that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed to God the Father the words of John 17:12:

  1. There was no failure in the selection of all the people that Jesus Christ had came to witness to and give permanent Salvation.  Note that God initiates the Salvation Process as all of us require God to reveal Himself to us that is to God's Glory.  God did not initiate Salvation process with Judas.
  2. So that the eleven Disciples would not not have their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be harmed.
  3. For the eleven Disciples, and all of us reading the scriptural passage, that Jesus Christ was never deceived by Judas Iscariot.
  4. To declare that the scripture prophecies concerning Judas Iscariot would be fulfilled.

A personal note from this author concerning betrayal:

Many of us have been betrayed by a close friend that may have been even a spouse or a business partner, and many of us have betrayed friendships and commitments.  Every Christian will eventually experience suffering and regrets for sinful actions.  The future Apostle Paul tormented himself over his memories of the actions of persecution of the Church before Paul's conversion.  There is of course not a good enough comparison between anything any of us could do that is compared to what Judas Iscariot did by betraying Jesus Christ, where Judas Iscariot had the friendship in a daily personal fellowship for three years. 

Many Biblical Scholars have stated that a Christian will be a constant target by Satanic Forces, with the goal of 

  1. Ruining the development of our relationship with God in our lives.
  2. Stopping our activities in God's Service.
  3. Destroying our faithfulness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
  4. Having us believe that suffering because of our Christian Faith is because God does not love us.
  5. To believe that overcoming sinful areas and obstacles are preventing us from enjoying life.

If a supposed Christian is not experiencing suffering, then it means the Christian is not a threat against the Satanic World.  Our rewards in life and in Heaven are directly resulting from the five areas listed.

As Christians, we cannot lose Salvation because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  If you have not asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior, then do it now. 

Did Jesus Christ Chose Judas Iscariot as a Disciple?

In the beginning of Jesus Christ's ministry, as noted in the Gospels, there were many Disciples where at the end there was the core twelve, where Judas Iscariot was among the twelve.  Jesus Christ did not choose Judas Iscariot, but knew the future actions of Judas Iscariot that were allowed and utilized.  God exists outside of all Time Domains and Dimensions in the Universe where God knew of Judas Iscariot's betrayal even before Judas was born. 

Judas Iscariot joined the Disciples because of his desire to be part of a believe future power group.  The scriptural inferences indicate that part of Israel future rejection of Jesus Christ was the belief that the Savior coming would lead Israel to conquer all of their enemies and set up wealth and power.  Judas rejected Jesus Christ's mission and sought to profit from the experience from skimming money from the treasury and selling Jesus Christ to men in the Sanhedrin for monetary gain knowing that these men would kill Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ allowed Judas to be a Disciple with full knowledge that Judas would:

Judas's Iscariot's betrayal was prophesized in the Old Testament scriptures. 

Matthew 26:24-25 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled

The scriptures show us that Judas Iscariot was used by Lucifer where God used the circumstances of Judas Iscariot and Lucifer for God's Glory and Purposes.  This also happens in our lives when we suffer without cause, where God uses all righteous suffering for our benefit in life and rewards in Heaven

There is absolutely no suffering that any Christian goes through in life which God can then use to reward us in this life and in eternity so that we are better off by going through suffering done to us by others as evil intentions will result in the opposite effect when trust in God. 

Old Testament References of Betrayals

There are two main prophecies concerning Judas Iscariot in the Old Testament in Psalm 41:9 and Zachariah 11 that are called dual prophecy or dual fulfilling:

  1. In Psalm 41:9, King David is describing his friend Ahithophel who betrays King David.  This has the dual fulfillment in John 13:18-20.
    (a) Some Biblical Scholars, which this author agrees, state that Ahithophel, the grandfather of Bathsehba, never forgave David for the adultery and murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah, who was part of David's mighty men and also known as a Hittite. 
    (b) Notice that Jesus Christ never states "I trusted", as Jesus Christ knew Judas Iscariot would betray him.

  2. In Zachariah, there is the prophecy, amongst other details, that the betrayal would be:
    (a) for thirty shekels of silver.
    (b) the blood-money would be used for a Potter.  A Potter is a person who makes pots for use with food, wine, water, grains, and much more.

  3. In Psalm 109 there is a complete dual prophecy about the wicked man who would oppose Jesus Christ.

1st prophetic betrayal

Psalm 41:9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
John 13:18-20 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. 19 From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

2nd prophetic betrayal

Zachariah 11:12-13 12 I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. 13 Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Matthew 27:1-5 1 Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.

The Thirty Pieces of Silver Coins were used to buy a piece of land to bury the unclaimed dead of Jerusalem.  The Priests, who had paid Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus Christ, could not use the returned money in the Temple Treasury because it was tainted according to their laws, but they could use it to buy land.  The land that they purchased as from a man who was a Potter.

Matthew 27:6-10 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood." 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter's Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 10 AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER'S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME."

3rd prophetic betrayal

In Psalm 109:6-8, the dual prophecy is dealing with a wicked man:

Psalm 109:2-8 specifically and the whole Psalm 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me: They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue. 3 They have compassed me about also with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. 6 Set thou a wicked man over him; And let an adversary stand at his right hand. 7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty; And let his prayer be turned into sin. 8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.

Possessed by Lucifer

Judas Iscariot was:

  1. Influenced,
  2. Oppressed, and
  3. Finally, possessed

by Lucifer during the period of his discipleship.  Judas Iscariot was a sent messenger, the meaning of the word apostle, during different points of the discipleship, but most Biblical Scholar will point out that Judas Iscariot was never an anointed Apostle because that occurs at Pentecost.

At the Last Supper event, is the point that Judas Iscariot became temporarily, fully possessed by Lucifer.  Some key points of the event as recorded in John 13:18-30, that should be noted and are important:

John 13:18-30 18 I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones whom I have chosen; but this is happening so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me. 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” 21 When Jesus had said these things, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter *nodded to this disciple and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25 He then simply leaned back on Jesus’ chest and *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then *answered, “That man is the one for whom I shall dip the piece of bread and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After this, Satan then entered him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you are doing, do it quickly.” 28 Now none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were assuming, since Judas kept the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we need for the feast”; or else, that he was to give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the piece of bread, he left immediately; and it was night.
John 21:20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)

Peter saw John approaching.  The supper is the Last Supper event.

Judas Iscariot Destiny

After betraying Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot realized his error and felt the full weight of his actions against Jesus Christ.  The noted events are:

  1. Allowed himself to be fully possessed by Lucifer where Lucifer left him after the betrayal.
  2. He realized that he had betrayed innocent blood. 
  3. Tried to return the wages of Thirty Pieces of Silver Coins.
  4. Committed Suicide in a type of Death-Bed confession, and now is Lower Sheol until the Great White Thrown of Judgment
Luke 22:1-6 1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Matthew 27:3-4 3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!"
Matthew 27:5 (part 1) And he threw the thirty pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed;
Matthew 27:5 (part 2) and he went away and hanged himself.

Antichrist is Judas Iscariot?  No

There are some theories by some, that this author does not agree with, that Judas Iscariot will be resurrected or reincarnated into the future Antichrist of the Tribulation Period.  The further incorrect belief is Judas Iscariot is the son of Lucifer in a relation like God the Father has with God the Son.

These are the summary points given, based on misinterpretation of scripture, that incorrect identify Judas Iscariot will be the future Antichrist.  The three primary incorrect points are:

  1. Incorrectly: Revelation 11:7 is referring to Judas Iscariot ascending out of lower Sheol as the the beast.
  2. Incorrectly: Acts 1:25 is referring to Judas Iscariot going to "his own place" with the theory that Judas is returning to a place he prior existed.
  3. Incorrectly: Associated the Beast in Revelation as Judas Iscariot in all of the scriptural passages detailing the evil exploits of the Beast with the False Prophet that are a dual entity of the Antichrist.
Revelation 11:7-8 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified.
Acts 1:23-26 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Five of many reasons that disprove the Antichrist is Judas Iscariot:

  1. Judas Iscariot was possessed by Lucifer as read in Luke 22:1-6.  A Fallen Angel that preexisted Judas Iscariot does not have the power to create a human-being.  A preexisting Fallen Angel cannot be possessed by another Fallen Angel or even Lucifer.  The scriptures let us know that God's Angels have the ability to appear as human-beings, but nowhere in the scripture is a single verse that a Fallen Angel becomes a human-being to live among human-beings. 
  2. Judas Iscariot felt remorse for his actions as read in Matthew 27:3-4, where a preexistent Fallen Angel would not have felt any remorse.
  3. In Acts 1:25, the "Judas turned aside to go to his own place." refers to Judas Iscariot being sent to a special place of suffering until the Great White Thrown of Judgment.  Note that Fallen Angels cannot be contained in Lower Sheol unless they are in chains, otherwise they can enter and exit Sheol
  4. Matthew 26:24-25 clearly states that Judas Iscariot is a human-being, and Judas Iscariot had a birth.
  5. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, Jesus Christ informs all of us many key points for us to know the Lawless One, the Antichrist, will:
    (a) Not be known until a revealing of him.  The scripture cannot be identifying Judas Iscariot as the Lawless One in other scriptural passages and then state in the 2 Thessalonians 2:8 that the Lawless One will be revealed.  In more clarity, if we are already informed who the Lawless one, then there is no revealing required.
    (b) Will be powered by Satan which means a human-being being possessed by Satan. 
Matthew 26:24-25 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

Jesus Speaking

3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Death by Suicidal Hanging, Body Rotted, and Burst Open

Judas Iscariot died by suicide using the act of hanging himself as read in Matthew 27:3-5.  As Judas's body hung in the noose, no Jewish person would touch the body, Leviticus 11:31-33, so the body rotted on the rope.  

At the place, date and time that Judas committed suicide was the time of Passover.  The Passover event and week was a festival of celebrations when the city of Jerusalem had all men, and their families when able, attending from all over Israel by Mosaic Law (the Laws set by Moses).  If a person touched a dead body then they would have not been able to attend and participate in the ceremonies, so the body would have hung on the tree for most likely a week.  As an example in the laws of Moses, people attending the Passover event were not allowed to go into grave yards also, so in preparation of Passover, grave yards were painted with a white-wash to warn people not to get near and touch the graves.

After decaying enough, with a full-body bloated with a bacterial infestation of worms and flies, the body fell to the ground at the point decayed neck could no longer support the body, Acts 1:16-19.  Upon hitting the ground the bloated infection of worms and decay caused the bowels to burst open.

Notice in Act 1:18, the reference of Judas obtaining the field that he hung himself in the act of committing suicide.

Matthew 27:3-5 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.
Leviticus 11:31-33

Dead are unclean to touch
31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they are dead, shall be unclean until the even. 32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherewith any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; then shall it be clean. 33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean, and it ye shall break.
Acts 1:16-19 16 Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. 18 (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)

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