Lessons From Judas Iscariot

 

“Lessons from Judas Iscariot”

Text:  John 6:70-71 states:

[70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

 

I.                     Introduction

A.      Judas Iscariot is probably best known as the disciple that betrayed Jesus

B.      There are several false ideas and teachings based on Judas Iscariot

C.      There is an interesting hypothesis that Judas will come back in the future 7 Year Tribulation as the “Antichrist”

II.                   Lessons from Judas Iscariot

A.       Judas is not an example of a believer losing salvation, for he was never saved to begin with.  Jesus referred to him in the present tense as “a devil.”  John 6:70 states, “…Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”  Judas did not become a devil after sinning, but he was one from the beginning!

B.      Some use Matthew 26:24, which states, (“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”) to falsely teach Judas had no “freewill” in betraying Christ, since this event was prophesied.  Some in doing this imply that Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was God’s fault.  In considering Matthew 26:24 keep in mind the following:

1.       God is able to accomplish His will in the fact that He foreknows what man will do in his freewill.  Acts 2:22-23 states: “[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”

2.       The blame for Judas’ action is to be placed on his wicked heat (John 13:1-2) and his willingness to be used of Satan (Luke 22:1-3).

C.      Judas’ was willing to be used of Satan because his heart was concerned with material things rather than spiritual things.  Consider the following:

1.       Judas complained that costly ointment was “wasted on Jesus” rather than be sold.  John 12:4-6 states: “[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, [5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”

2.       After Judas complains about the ointment above Matthew 26:14-16 states: “[14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, [15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

3.       Judas’ main motivation in being a “disciple” was for material wealth and not spiritual wealth!

D.      Judas is a prime example of the fact that having “power” to perform miracles does not necessarily equate with being “of God.”  Matthew 10:5-8 states that Judas along with the other 11 disciples had power to heal the sick and raise the dead!

E.       Judas is also proof that “partaking of Christ” in the “Lord’s Supper” does not equate with salvation.  Matthew 26:17-27 speaks of the supper and verse 20 makes it perfectly clear that Judas also was a partaker.  It would be rightly assumed that Judas was also water baptized, since that was what was required to be a disciple during Christ’ earthly ministry, yet that did not save Judas either!

F.       The preaching of Jesus and his disciples was concerning the gospel of the Kingdom, and this kingdom would have been realized if Israel had “received it.”  Judas, of course, wanted the material blessings of a kingdom, but rejected the spiritual blessings that it offered. 

1.        Matthew 11:13-14 states: “[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. [14] And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.  According to prophecy Elijah was to come before the Kingdom would be set up.

2.       Prophecy also spoke of an “Antichrist” that would come on the world scene before the kingdom would be setup.  Whoever this “Antichrist” is, will have control over the finances of the world.  Revelation 13:17 states, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

G.      What about the hypothesis that states Judas Iscariot is the “Antichrist?”  Are there any valid Biblical arguments for this?

1.       This future “Antichrist” is called the “son of perdition according to 2 Thes. 2:3

2.       Jesus referred to Judas as the “son of perdition” in John 17:12. It states, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

3.       If Israel had repented during the earthly ministry of Christ, then the “son of perdition” (Judas Iscariot) was certainly there on the scene.

4.       Israel of course rejected the Kingdom and had Jesus crucified.  Jesus’ prayer on the cross (Luke 23:34) bought Israel another opportunity to receive the Kingdom in early Acts.  The Kingdom was rejected again with Israel’s stoning of Stephen in Acts 7.  Stephen prayed a prayer (Acts 7:60) similar to Christ on the cross, and as a result Stephen bought Israel more time to receive the Kingdom (until Acts 28).

5.       In Acts 28 the Kingdom is preached to Israel one last time by Paul to the “chief Jews,” but the message is rejected for a final time.   

6.       With Israel’s rejection of the Kingdom message in Acts 28, the Kingdom is put on hold as well as the coming of the “Antichrist.” 

7.       At some point in the future, the mystery dispensation will end with the rapture, and God will again give Israel another opportunity to receive the Kingdom during the tribulation period. 

8.       The “Antichrist” (also called the beast) will ascend out of the bottomless pit during the tribulation in an attempt to thwart God’s plan of the Kingdom.  Some believe that this “Antichrist” will be a return of Judas Iscariot based on:

a.       When Judas died the Bible says he went to his “own place.” (see Acts 1:16-25)

b.       Revelation 17:8 describes the beast (Antichrist) as someone that lived in the past, but died, and yet will come up out of the bottomless pit.  This description could certainly fit Judas Iscariot. 

III.                  Conclusion

A.      Judas is an example of a false believer who only “followed” Jesus for what he could get materially.  Judas had no interest in the spiritual things of God.

B.      There are some strong arguments to indicate that Judas may literally return in the future in the person of the Antichrist/Beast.  The question of Judas being or not being the Antichrist is a very interesting study, but one’s answer to the question is not one to break fellowship over.

 

 

Are Saved Gentiles in Acts 15 Part of the Mystery Program/Dispensation?

      Since Acts 15 deals with the salvation of Gentiles, many assume that these Gentiles are becoming part of the mystery program/dispensation which is written about in Ephesians and Colossians.  There is some debate among right dividers as to Cornelius's position as a saved Gentile.  The Dr Peter Ruckman camp of right dividers include Cornelius in the "mystery body of Christ" along with the Gentile converts of Paul mentioned in Acts 14:27.  Most of the Mid Acts Right Dividers exclude Cornelius from the mystery body of Christ, because he was converted under the preaching of Peter in Acts 10, and their position is Cornelius is a saved Gentile under the Kingdom Program.  My argument is that all Gentiles mentioned in Acts 15 are saved under the "Kingdom Program Offer," the only difference being that Paul preached to them the gospel of the un-circumcision which was a grace message of believing on Christ (with no observance of the Law required).  Paul even says in Romans 11 that saved Gentiles in the Acts period were graffed into Israel (i.e. the olive tree, compare Jer 11:16 with Romans 11:13-17).  I am aware that many Right Dividers object by saying that Romans 11 just refers to Gentiles receiving the blessings of Israel.  I agree that the Gentiles partake of Israel's "root and fatness," but you can not choose to ignore the same part of this verse that says these Gentiles are graffed in among them (the "them" is Israel)!  In Acts 15 there is no distinction given between the Gentiles saved under Paul and the Gentiles saved under Peter (Cornelius and his household).  Nowhere in Acts 15 does Paul say that Gentiles saved under his ministry are part of a different group or body than Cornelius and his household.  The collective salvation of all these Gentiles mentioned in Acts 15 is said to be in agreement with the prophecy program (Acts 15:14-18).  Paul even says his preaching to the Gentiles in Acts was a command according to prophecy (see Acts 13:47 and Isaiah 49:6).  Acts 13:47 states, "For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."  Many right dividers get around Paul quoting Isaiah 49:6 by saying Paul is just making spiritual application in his quotation.  For those that say this, I think the burden of proof is on them to prove that this passage should not be taken literally.  If the Gentiles saved under Paul in Acts 15 were under the mystery dispensation, then Paul would have objected to the statement that their salvation was in agreement with the prophecy program, since the mystery program is not revealed in prophecy.  Paul's actions further prove that these saved Gentiles are under the "Kingdom Program Offer" when he does not object to the "necessary things" (Acts 15:28-29) as decrees for the saved Gentiles to follow.  Acts 16:1-4 states the following:

 [1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
[4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

There is no way this observing of ceremonial decrees as "necessary things" can be part of the mystery dispensation of Colossians.   Paul states in Colossians 2:16, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink..."  One of the necessary things in Acts 15:29 had to do with restrictions on diet.  Acts 15:29 is a direct contradiction of Colossians 2:16.  Although the Gentiles in Acts 15 were saved under a grace message (gospel of the un-circumcision), there were ceremonial decrees they had to follow not for salvation but for testimony sake.  If right dividers would ever accept the fact that the Kingdom Offer to Israel extends all the way to the end of Acts, then many "problem passages" in Acts and Paul's early Epistles would clear themselves up.

What is “That Which Is Perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10?

 What is “That Which Is Perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10?

1Cor.13
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Some teach “That Which Is Perfect” refers to the Second Coming of Christ.  Many of this persuasion argue that during this “church age” that people still have the gift of tongues and knowledge.  They even argue that people still receive prophecy from God today.  These people fail to understand the “signs” were for the Jews (1 Cor 1:22) and that tongues were for a sign (1 Cor 14:22).  The Jews privileges, which includes the sign gifts, ended at Acts 28 with the pronouncement of Judicial blindness (Acts 28:25-28).  Others that believe “That Which is Perfect” refers to the Second Coming say that tongues, the gift of knowledge, and prophecy temporarily ceased during this age of grace and will pick back up during the tribulation.  They then argue that these things cease permanently at the Second Coming.  

For me and many others I know, the answer in the past has been “that which is perfect” refers to the completion of the canon of Scripture (i.e. The Completed Bible).  I might even be tempted accept the argument given by some scholars that John’s Gospel, Revelation, as well as First, Second, and Third John were written early, thus making 2 Timothy the last book of the Bible to be written.  If that argument is correct, then Paul completed the Bible with the writing of Second Timothy being the last book added to the canon.  To summarize this position consider the following:

•    During the Acts Period tongues, the gift of knowledge, and prophesy were all in operation to impart revelation from God until the Bible was completed.  When the last book of the Bible was written, there was no need for tongues, gift of knowledge, or prophecy because no more revelation was to be given from God.
•    For those that take an Acts 2 or traditional Mid Acts dispensational view, they argue that tongues, the gift of knowledge, and prophesy operated during a transition period in which the mystery program was gradually ushered in and the kingdom program (which included things such as signs, gift of knowledge, and prophecy) was gradually ushered out. 
•    Those that believe “That Which Is Perfect” refers to the completion of Scripture believe that the ceasing of tongues, the ceasing of the gift of knowledge, and the ceasing of prophecy is only temporary.  After the rapture most believe these things pick back up during the tribulation period.

I am now going to offer an alternative view to the above positions.  During the Acts period when Paul wrote books like 1 Corinthians he is anticipating Israel to repent and God to usher in the Kingdom on earth as was promised (Acts 3:19-21).    When Paul writes Corinthians he is not anticipating Israel rejecting the gospel and there being a long “church age” going out beyond his lifetime.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians the time is short (1 Cor 7:29).  Paul during the Acts period expected to be alive when the Lord returned (1 Thes 4:15).  If Israel had repented in Paul’s day, the tribulation and Second Coming would all have taken place in the first century.  When Christ returns the second time He makes a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Jer 31:31 & Heb 8:8-13).  Under the New Covenant all will know the Lord (Jer 31:31-34), so the gift of knowledge will no longer be needed.   Nobody will need to be taught because the law will be written in their hearts.  Jeremiah 31:31-34 states:

[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.   

Also at this time tongues will cease.  Zephaniah 3:9 states, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.”  It appears that God reverses His judgment that occurred at the Tower of Babel.

 Zechariah 13 makes it clear there will be no more prophets at this time.  Consider Zechariah 13:1-6

[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
[2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
[3] And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
[4] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
[5] But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
[6] And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

“Perfection” did not come by the Old Covenant of the law.  Hebrews 7:11 states, “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?”  Perfection comes by a better testament that is associated with the New Covenant.  Hebrews 7:19-22 states:
[19] For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
[20] And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
[21] (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
[22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

To repeat when Paul writes Corinthians he is expecting all end time prophecies to be fulfilled during his lifetime of the first century.  He is not expecting tongues, the gift of knowledge, and prophecy to cease for a long “chuch age” of 2,000 plus years and then start back up temporarily.  In fact it appears that when he writes 1 Cor 13 he only expects these things to cease, vanish away, and fail one time and that would be when the New Covenant is implemented with Israel.  Perfection comes not just by Christ’s Second Coming but by Him implementing the New Covenant.  The writer of Hebrews says writes as if the New Covenant would be implemented during the first century, “…A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13).  Notice the same terminology Paul used in 1 Cor 13:8 “vanish away” is applied to the old covenant by the writer of Hebrews.

In conclusion, I am arguing “That Which Is Perfect” in 1 Cor 13 is not referring to the completed Bible, although I believe the Bible is perfect.  Also I don’t think “That Which Is Perfect” refers just to the Second Coming of Christ, although I believe Christ is perfect.  I think that which is perfect refers to  Christ implementing the New Covenant.  Once that is done there will be no more need of teaching or imparting knowledge.  There will be no need of prophecy (everybody will know as they are known).  Tongues will cease forever, because a pure language will return.  Although under Grace I believe God is no longer using tongues, the gift of knowledge, and prophecies, I think it is doctrinally incorrect to use 1 Cor 13 as a proof text for this argument.  The better argument is to understand that around Acts 28 Israel is “cast off” temporarily and that when Israel is cast off she does not see her signs according to  Psalm 74:1-9:

[1] O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
[2] Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
[3] Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
[4] Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
[5] A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
[6] But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
[7] They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
[8] They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
[9] We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

Note in verse nine above, the signs cease, there is no prophet, and there is no special “knowledge.”  The reason for this condition is given in verse 1, Israel had been cast off.  Remember a “casting away” of Israel is spoken of as occurring in Paul’s last pre-Acts 28 Epistle (Romans 11:15).  This process could have stopped before Acts 28:28 if Israel had repented of unbelief.  Romans 11:23 states, “And they (Israel) also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.”