Detail from Caravaggio’s “The Betrayal of Christ” c.1603
One thing that Christians from all denominations seem to agree on is that Judas Iscariot went to hell. But you know, I have a real problem with that teaching. The problem being, that isn’t what the Bible teaches.
I don’t believe that Judas went to hell. There is simply no evidence to support it and you always need evidence to back up what you say. If you are speaking of something in the Bible, then the Bible is where you find your evidence. Let’s look at what the Bible says about Judas:
Luke 22:1 – “Satan entered Judas, and Judas went to the chief priests…”
Matthew 26:15 – “…the chief priests payed Judas 30 silver coins.”
It says over and over that Judas “betray” Jesus, but people confuse the word ‘betray’ with the word ‘deny’. Betraying Jesus and denying who Jesus is are two very different things with two completely different outcomes.
In 1 John 5:16, John says to pray for those who commit sins which do NOT lead to death. But “There is a sin which leads to death. I am not saying he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does NOT lead to death.” So before we jump in and condemn Judas, we need to find out what this sin that DOES lead to death is. Remember, we are talking spiritual death, not physical death.
Matthew 12:30 – “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven…either in this age or in the age to come.”
Mark 3:28 – “All the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
1 John 5:6 – “The Spirit is the TRUTH.”
Who is Jesus? This is the key: Father TRUTH (the mind of God), filled with and displaying Spirit LOVE (the desire of God), Jesus the FORM (body where mind and heart dwell) of God. (The Trinity – Mind, Spirit, Form) God took off His immortality, clothed Himself with mortality – Jesus the Son of God, not as in His offspring or child, but the body or form of God Himself. Jesus and the Father are one – John 10:30 and John 14:8.
To blaspheme the Spirit, commit the one unpardonable sin, is to hear and understand the message which teaches the identity of Jesus, and to deny it. Hebrews 6:4 – “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” And the time will come where everyone will hear, understand, and have to make their choice – this is Armageddon. Armageddon is something which takes place in the mind and hearts of men; where they make their choice, ‘Do I believe Jesus is TRUTH and Love in flesh, the one and only God and LORD? Or don’t I?’ And as it says in Hebrews, there is no ‘once saved always saved’. If you have heard and understood that Jesus is LORD (TRUTH and Love in flesh) and you turn away from that and deny it, your salvation is worthless, you’ve thrown it away.
So is this the sin which Judas committed? Did he turn away from what Jesus had taught him; did he claim that Jesus was nothing more than a man and not God himself; did he deny that Jesus was the visible manifestation of TRUTH and Love? Judas is guilty of none of these things. He sinned alright, but he did NOT commit the unpardonable sin, and that is the one and only sin which will send you to hell. He did not deny the identity of Christ. And here is the kicker, he repented! Jesus came to forgive our sins. Every man is a sinner. Are we going to be hypocrites and say that we should be forgiven but not Judas? Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Did Judas sin? Yes. Was his sin unforgivable by the standards of God’s Word? NO.
People seem to think the two seemingly different accounts of Judas’ death are proof of contradictions in the Bible. I’ll say it again, there are no contradictions in the Bible. So when reading the following passages keep mind that if you perceive a contradiction, you are lacking the proper understanding. Two sides to wisdom…
Matthew 27:1-11 – “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What’s that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” It continues and tells that the chief priests used the money to buy the ‘potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners’, and that it is called the Field of Blood to this day.
Acts 1:15-21 – “…the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.’ With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is Field of Blood.”
Always keep in mind that when God speaks, He speaks a spiritual wisdom, not a literal one. There are no contradictions in the Bible, and the same stories are told over and over, each with a little more information so that we might recognize and understand what God is trying to say. If you find contradictions you are interpreting the passage incorrectly. When all the scriptures line up, you’ll know you have the proper understanding of what is being said. The mysteries in the Bible are hidden but in plain sight, so that we who love Jesus and want to understand, may, and those who do not love and acknowledge Jesus as LORD will remain ignorant. Do not give to dogs what is sacred, do not cast your pearls before swine for they may trample them under their feet and then turn and tear you to pieces – Matthew 7:6.
So we know that these two references to Judas (1-Hung himself, 2-Fell headlong and intestines spilled out) can not be contradictions, therefore they must be telling us something other than what happened to Judas’ physical body.
Remember, spiritual wisdom. Firstly, both passages mention that a field was bought. A field is a group of people with an ideology – that is, what is in their mind and heart. Judas’ field is a field of blood; blood in Scripture is contempt. So Judas’ field is full of contempt, for what, for HIM, for what he did, betraying Jesus. The ideology of the people in Judas’ field is that they hate the betrayer. And don’t people still hold Judas in contempt to this day? They must, because they all think he went to hell.
Another way of describing Judas’ field is to say, “He made his bed, now he’s gonna have to lie in it.” Judas’ sin, betraying Jesus, is the action that created his field of blood. His sin created ongoing contempt for him and what he did. The people called it the Field of Blood when they found out what Judas had done; a group of people all harbouring contempt for Judas the betrayer.
So he hung himself, and he spilled his guts. Again, we use these two analogies even today. Judas had remorse and repented for betraying Jesus, and he went out and told everyone — this is commonly referred to as spilling your guts. With the knowledge that he had done this terrible thing, and his confessing it to the people – he hung himself. By coming clean about what he’d done, he put the noose around his own neck and jumped into a world of hurt – a Field of Blood.
Judas sinned, yes. But his sin was NOT the one sin that leads to death (denying that Jesus is TRUTH and Love, God Himself, the Christ) and he repented. Either Jesus came to forgive our sins or he’s a liar. And God doesn’t lie.
I’m sure Judas loved Jesus, if he hadn’t he would not have regretted what he had done. The Bible says we should pray for those whose sin does not lead to death; only one sin condemns us and Judas did not commit it, therefore how can we say he was condemned to hell?
Do you now understand what happened to Judas? He betray Jesus, was remorseful of his sin; he confessed what he had done, and is now hated for what he did. Read your Bible always looking for the Spiritual understanding. The literal is from the devil, it is not what is important. And again, if you see contradictions in the Word, read it again, you are getting it wrong. That is why it says base everything on the ENTIRE Word of God, for only with the whole can you truly understand the parts. ~
A thoughtful, well-researched piece about a topic few people care to ponder. No matter what position one takes regarding Judas’s fate, it should certainly be based on evidence and not on what appear to be logical assumptions. Nice job, my friend.
Thanks, Paul! You’re right — everything always needs to be based on the evidence. I definitely strive to do that in everything I write. There’s so much more to the Bible than most people think. It’s a shame that very little of it is really thought about in a serious, studying tone.
I think Judas had been in hell at the moment and after he betrayed Jesus and at the time of his death, he was in the state of awfulness which describe to be being in hell, state of being tormented and also when Satan entered to him, the beginning of hell bound that led him to kill himself. He lost control of himself with all the mocking and pressure he was receiving from other followers of Jesus and being under the influence of satan or being in hell, he couldn’t stand or face the nature of being in hell so he killed himself to get it over and that’s the only last resort in his mind he could think of. Did he get out of hell or stayed there until now? I don’t know. He seemed he was condemned to go to hell before committing the act of betraying Jesus or he was the only obedient follower or true believer to fulfill God’s will? the prophecy of someone to betray Jesus in order to save the whole world or he was an integral part of God’s plan to save the world…maybe be he is sitting in the right hand side of Jesus’s throne in heaven for being the one to fulfill the greatest God’s will/plan saving the whole world now.’
There is a gospel that has been discovered entitled “The Gospel of Judas”. The author of this gospel is said to be Judas himself. I’m not thoroughly convinced that Judas committed suicide. Did he hang himself in the minds of the people? Yes. Did he spill his guts and repent? Yes. Did he exclude himself from the 12? Yes. But did Judas literally commit suicide? I’m not convinced. But spiritually, he certainly did.
yes i agree that there is a gospel of Judas but wendy it was written 150 years after Jesus resurrection. there’s a theology study about how some of the people who wants to destroy the credibility of the bible this were critics or anti Christianity so they develop a scheme on writing if you wan to ask if Judas hang himself it is clearly said in the bible. (which we cannot contradict the bible)
Matthew 27
27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
wendy the bible said in the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke
Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Mark 14:21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.
Luke 22:22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”
But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
we cannot fully understand God that is true, unless, we have the spirit of God living in us
John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you
wendy i urge you to seek Jesus and ask the Spirit of God to dwell in you.
God bless you Wendy.
great article. So much insight. Definitely got something out of reading this.!
Thanks so much, Loren! I’m glad to hear it!
I believe Judas went to Hell. In John 17:12, it is revealed that Judas Iscariot is doomed to destruction.
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 except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
It’s not talking about Judas Iscariot. The “one doomed to destruction” is the Devil, Satan, Falsehood, or more accurately, the Devil in man.
Also see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness [son of perdition in the KJV] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
A lot of people say this is speaking of Judas, but again, the “man of lawlessness” or the “son of perdition” is the Devil. NOT Judas. No where does the Bible say that Judas went to hell.
Let me start by saying that it is the providence of God alone to judge a person’s eternal destiny. I leave no comment or commentary, just a few scriptures to ponder and reflect on as you think about this topic. John 6:70-71; 13:10-11; 26-27; Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:24-25.
Before you condemn Judas, don’t forget that Jesus called Peter Satan, because he had not in mind the things of God, but the things of man. If Peter could repent and be saved, as Judas repented of his sin, then don’t be so arrogant as to think that what’s good for the gander is not good for the goose as well.
what about matthew 26:24-25The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
There is a consequence for everything we say and do, but that doesn’t mean that the consequence leads to death. 1 John 5:16 – “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.” Whosever repents of their sin, and acknowledges that Jesus is Lord and Saviour will not perish, but have eternal life. Judas repented and never denied that Jesus is Lord — the one unpardonable sin.
This is true and it goes for all the Hollywood celebrities that sold their soul for money ….willingly, after they have known the truth…and it goes for the people who will deny Jesus, to save their own life…isis is beheading people, if you were to deny Jesus, this is what Jesus will do…
Matthew 10:32-33King James Version (KJV)
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
And Jesus says those who endure til the end will be saved…judas killed himself, he didn’t endure…
en·dure
verb
1.
suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.
“it seemed impossible that anyone could endure such pain”
synonyms: undergo, go through, live through, experience, meet, encounter;
THANKS! ACTUALLY, WHO I’M I TO KNOW THE FINAL DESTINATION OF ANOTHER MAN? JUDGEMENT IS FOR GOD, HALLELULAH TO JESUS THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, AMEN.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading!
I would hope not. Without Judas, and similarly Pontious Pilate condemning Jesus to die, Jesus wouldn;t have died for our sins. They were doing the work of God.
God was in control, no question! What needed to happen is exactly what did happen that we might come to know Jesus.
Judas went to Heaven because Jesus said so.He promised all twelve of his disciples.
Read Matthew 19:20
Sorry, I meant Matthew 19:28
Jesus promised all twelve of his disciples that they would sit on thrones and that also includes Judas. Matthew 19:28
Amen, AJ! Thanks for including that verse.
Read Acts 1:24-26 as well. What about Matthias?
Hi, thank you for explaining this, as I have wondered many times about this. Someone had to betray Christ so that scripture would be fulfilled, it just happened to be poor judas. If judas went to hell, to me this would prove predestination, which I do not believe in. I think judas played his role in God’s story, but as you said, repented, and did not go to hell.
Yes, Judas certainly played an important role, and it was a role that he suffered for. I don’t believe in predestination, per se, though I do believe that God already knows who will acknowledge Him and live, and who will deny His identity as the Messiah (God Himself in flesh) and be condemned. We definitely have free choice in life, and any mistakes made are on us, but the Bible (when speaking of the potter and his vessels) does also say that some were made for royal use and others were made to used, serve their purpose, and be discarded. But Judas didn’t commit the unpardonable sin, so I don’t think he went to hell. And I believe that Judas must have loved Jesus, otherwise he wouldn’t have felt so terrible after he saw that his betrayal was going to cost Jesus His life.
Very well put – i never thought that Judas went to hell, yet the majority of Christians believe so. Just like all of us, Judas was tempted by Satan, and gave in as well all do daily. He DID repent however, regretting what he did – yet i’ve heard people say he never repented? Jesus chose Judas to fulfill the prophecies. Judas was always meant to betray Jesus, it had to happen for our salvation and completing the scriptures. Many bible passages repeat that there is no sin greater than God’s love and mercy. Thank you for explaining this, you definitely did your research!
Thanks, Claudia! Yes, Jesus’s blood covers all of our sins except the unpardonable sin — denying the identity of Jesus. And from what I’ve read in the Bible, Judas didn’t do that. And as you said, yes, he repented. I too have heard many people (professed Christians especially) say that Judas never repented, but they are clearly not reading the book! Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment today.
God’s Mercy which results to His Grace brings about His Forgivness. I totally believe that amongs the twelve disciples, Judas was the only one that came from Judea the town of Jesus. Judas was used to fulfill scriptures. As you rightly explained he repented, confesed, and hung himself. To hang on a tree and die is a curse in the tradition of many people including the Jews, this is why Judas chose to die that way, for he saw the field (the people who had of the terrible confession he made about betraying the Messiah) he bought with the thirty pieces of silver was a curse (corncerning the prophesy “it is better he was not born”) for the people were repetedly saying it. This happened at Judas’ repentance. Judas went to the point of making “restitution” a commandment of the Law and the Prophets. To hang on a tree is a death for the worse criminals in the tradition of the Gentiles. Judas only displayed how Jesus was going to die in a moment. John the Baptist was a vocal or verbal fore-runner while Judas Iscariot was an active or physical fore-runner both worked for the same man “the word that was made flesh” Jesus Christ. Jesus truly baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire, then He died on the cross (tree.) John doubted the person he announced when he sent two of his disciples to go and ask Jesus “if truely He is the Messiah or should they expect another” and there was no record of his repentance or confession yet christians believed he went to heaven why then should a person who repented and confessed be sent to hell. I must say you did a great job searching out this truth and posting it. God Bless You. Amen!
God bless you as well, Chuks. Your comment was much appreciated!
I to was condemning Judas, but for some reason I remembered that the bible always referenced Judas as son of Simon Iscariot, so I thought I need to find out who Simon Iscariot is, and that is how I came across this page. I also always thought Judas went to hell until I thought about it, because Matthew 19:28 Jesus promised that the twelve would also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Judas had a purpose and he fulfilled it! and the bible shows how Jesus sees the future and can see what peoples thoughts are where they are etc, he told Nathenael how he seen him under the fig tree before he reached Jesus. Jesus knew Judas was going to regret and be sorry. I also agree that the word of God has no errors if we see something we think is contradictory it is us not the bible the word of God!! I praise God and thank you Jesus for this revelation to me!!
Amen! So glad you found my page and that it was of some value to you. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, Tammy. God bless!
Where in the Bible does it say that what Yahweh says is not to be taken literally? When the word say Judas hung himself that’s literally what he did. You can not improve perfection. I know it would be easier to pass a kidney stone than it would be to get a Christian to tead the Bible! Yahweh calls you heathens. Does that sit well with you? Read Jeremiah 10:1-6, it’s about Christians.
Where does God say there are two sides to wisdom? In Genesis, it’s the two trees in the middle of the garden, and Job and James both reveal the reality that there ARE two sides to wisdom. How can you have two trees dead center in the middle of the garden? You can’t, unless there are two sides to wisdom.
“The Word says Judas hung himself.” That’s literally what he did? Okay. Well, you certainly seem to think you know something, so please, enlighten us worthless pagans. Go ahead and explain how a dead, hanged Judas in Matthew managed to spill his guts all over a field in Acts. You yourself said that whatever it says in the Bible is what Judas literally did. So I’d like to know how he died twice, and in two different manners.
Now, let’s look at this passage in Jeremiah that you’re so eager to quote. “It’s about Christians.” “Yahweh calls you heathens.” Does He, now?
“Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. [Are these signs in the heaven He’s speaking of not literal?] For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” [Are all these things not literal?] No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.”
I do believe you’re mistaken about who “they” and “the peoples” is referring to here. “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless. They cut a tree…..” THE NATIONS are the THEY in this passage. The Lord is speaking to Israel, HIS people, Christians, yes, but He’s not describing THEM. He’s warning them about THE NATIONS and THEIR foul practice of taking everything literally.
The Christians are not the ones creating the idols in this passage. These verses are all about God warning His people NOT to do these things that the other nations do.
I am not a pagan. I do not worship idols. Nor am I an Orthodox Jew who worships the law. I am a Christian and TRUTH and LOVE is my God – Jesus is His name.
Even here God has warned me not to take things literally, but to listen to what HE tells me in His Word.
Wendy,
Thank you for responding to my post. I read your post in it’s entirety, which is why I felt obligated to intervene. First, let me say that I am not an Orthodox Jew, nor do I call myself by any other title. I won’t know what I am until he returns. I know the true name of the Messiah and of our Father. Satan has fooled the world. You say that you are a “truth seeker,” but you don’t want to hear it when it’s spoken to you. You said that you follow Jesus and not Yahshua. I agree with you that they are different. So tell me this, do you really know who you are serving? I feel as though you are sending a damning message to many ambivalent souls. When we talk about Judas and rather or not he figuratively hung himself, your best bet is to read the verses in context. Then Judah, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, what is that to us? See thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed and went and hanged himself (Matthew 27: 3-5).*Note: the verses are written in narrative format. I know you touched on the topic of Yahshua the Messiah teaching in parables. You have to be able to decipher between the two. A parable is the same a fable in the sense that it teaches a lesson. A narrative tells the facts of a story and it speaks directly to the reader. Commotting suicide is covered in the sixth commandment. Suicide is an act of murder. For this is the love of Yahweh, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3-5). What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of Yahweh, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20) Do you remember Matthew 4:5-6? The adversary took Yahshua up into the holy city, and said to Him, “If Thou be the Son of Yahweh, cast Thy-self down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee to guard.” The adversary is only here to deceive and to cut off as many souls as he can from receiving salvation. You are not speaking as though you are of the spirit of Yahweh. You sound like the spirit of the anti-christ. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other evangel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed (Galatians 1:9) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Yahweh, because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
Do Christians believe that one can commit suicide and go to Heaven? According to Matthew 27:5, Judas hung himself. I do not keep up with the pagan religion that is Christianity. However, I try to keep up with the stuff you guys make up. The Bible is not open to man’s interpretation.
No, the Bible is most certainly not open to man’s interpretation — mine OR yours. And no one gets to pick and choose which parts they take and which parts they leave. If you’re going to believe the Bible, then you take it as a whole or you don’t take it at all. There are no contradictions found in God’s Word. If what you’re reading doesn’t jive with the rest of the book, you’re interpreting it wrong.
I’ve already explained why I believe that Judas didn’t physically kill himself, so you can go back and actually read my post. But as to the general question of “can one commit suicide and go to Heaven”? The Bible says that there is only ONE sin which leads to death of the soul: Matthew 12:30, Mark 3:28, 1 John 5:16. Committing suicide is not denying the identity of Jesus as the Messiah – God Himself in mortal form — so my short answer would be yes, I believe one could commit suicide and go to Heaven. It is not for us to decide who is saved and goes to Heaven, or who is condemned and goes to hell.
You ask how it’s possible that Judas hung himself, but later is spoken of in acts. It’s simple. Judas hung himself in St. Matthew, and then his body fell and split openin Acts.
That is an answer so ignorant, asinine and impossible a contrivance that not even a child would be so silly as to come up with an answer like that. I’m glad you think you’ve got it figured out. But with that kind of logic, I doubt you ever will.
I’m not an expert on the subject matter but last week a Christian friend of mine who suffered from bipolar disease committed suicide so here I am looking into this.
I have a question: you go into some detail about the unforgivable sin, blaspheme of the Holy Spirit, and say that Judas betrayed Jesus but never denied him. But looking deeper at his reasoning for committing suicide, don’t you think that it reveals that he actually did commit that such sin? I know that we can’t really be decisive on what he was thinking before he did the act through rational reasoning it would mean that he believed that God could never forgive him for his sins(betrayal) which your article points out isn’t true. I agree, but wouldn’t that mean he didn’t believe that Jesus’ forgiveness.
I’m a law student and looking at Hebrews 6:4 it’s completely subjective like every other sin. [Apologies for the use of jargon but] I would argue that the actus reas of committing suicide does equate to the mens rea of choosing not to believe that there is hope in Christ making it objective (of course with the defence of Insanity (disease of the mind disabling them to truly understand)).
But if I’m wrong and, honestly, the criminal justice system is not really what you would call perfect justice(which is what God claims to be), it seems super useless to try rationalise God’s judgment when He’ll always have the fallback excuse of saying “Well your finite human mind wasn’t meant to understand it and you shouldn’t try to because then you’re judging people’s actions, whether you come to the conclusion that they were sinful or forgiven, and that’s bad.”
Obviously, God does not like to comply to the constitutional convention of the Rule of Law (Clarity, predictability, etc) which is pretty sucky for all of us who have to/should comply to such a law haha. But hey, if God is actually God then this isn’t really a democracy so no point complaining.
What are some believers’ opinions?
Firstly, p.a., I’m truly sorry to hear about your friend. Also very sorry that I didn’t answer your comment until now. I actually started my reply just a few hours after you posted, but it got pushed aside and I sincerely apologize for the delay.
Now, it’s not that Judas didn’t believe that Jesus would forgive him. It isn’t Jesus’s forgiveness that we have to believe in. It’s Jesus’s identity as God – Truth and Love made visible in mortal form — that we must understand and believe. This is the unpardonable sin: To understand who Jesus is and deny it. The unpardonable sin for which there is no forgiveness is not — as you seem to allude to in your comment (sorry if I’ve misunderstood) — us or Judas not believing that God will forgive. It’s all about whether we believe that Jesus was just a man, or if we believe that He was God in flesh. (I go into that more completely here if it’s of any interest https://wendylovesjesus.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/understanding-the-trinity/). Judas betrayed Jesus’s flesh to those who wanted to kill Him. But that’s not the same thing as Judas saying, “Jesus is not God, He’s just a man.”
Judas committed suicide (whether you want to look at it from the spiritual or the physical) because he felt terrible that his actions led to Jesus being hurt. At the time, I think everyone realized pretty quickly just what the Pharisee’s were going to do to Jesus once they got a hold of Him. The fact that Judas even cares that Jesus is about to die thanks to his betrayal is proof that he DIDN’T commit such a sin. If Judas decided that Jesus was just another man, not God, then what would he have to feel bad about? He wouldn’t have repented at all. He’d have taken his silver and moved on with his life. But he didn’t. He was so distraught that he killed himself over it. Those are not the actions of a man who didn’t love Jesus and acknowledge him. Judas sinned, absolutely. But I see no evidence that he denied that Jesus was God.
It also says that Peter denied Christ. But Peter saying, “I’m not acquainted with Jesus, I don’t know Him” is NOT him denying Jesus’s identity as the immortal God putting on mortality – the invisible God becoming visible. To blaspheme the Spirit is to deny WHO Jesus is. And God is not cruel or unjust. Some Christians actually think that those who lived before the time of Christ are all going to hell because how can they know and acknowledge who Jesus is if He hadn’t come yet? But you can only commit the unpardonable sin AFTER you’ve heard the message of Jesus and understood it. God is not unfair and shows no favouritism to anyone.
You brought up Hebrews 6:4, “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” This illustrates what I just said. You have to have understood the identity of God in order to deny it. Understanding what I explain in the article I linked to above, and then saying it’s all bull: That Jesus is not God. There is no coming back from that sin once you’ve committed it. And when it says “they are crucifying the Son of God all over again”? John 10:30: [Jesus is speaking] “I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” They crucified Jesus because they didn’t believe He was God, Truth and Love in flesh. So when someone commits the unpardonable sin, they’re just crucifying Him all over again, aren’t they?
And you’re right. This is not a democracy at all. But it’s also not a dictatorship. A dictator forces you do what he wants. But God doesn’t make us do anything. He gave us free will to make our own choices in life. I’m not someone who believes the “we’re not meant to understand” doctrine. I think the Christians who say that are using Isaiah 55:8 as their evidence: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” But they fail to read the passage in context. Back up a few verses and you’ll find that when God says this, He’s speaking to the wicked, not to His children. We can know God’s thoughts, and He has made His law clear. The Bible says that Truth shows no favouritism. And my best example for this is as follows: If a Christian, an atheist and a Satanist each stick their arm into a moving airplane propeller, every single one of them is going to lose their arm. God is not going to shows favouritism to the Christian and magically he pulls his arm back out, whole and unscathed. God is Truth, and the Truth is unchanging. The Bible says not to test God. God has said through the very rules of nature that if you put your arm into a moving airplane propeller, it’s going to be maimed and/or cut off. End of story. He’s set that as law. If we choose to ignore His command and we do what He’s told us not to do? That’s not God’s fault. That’s on us for ignoring His warning of what would happen. So God doesn’t need ANY fallback excuse. He’s the Creator. What He says goes because He’s the one who made everything. He doesn’t change His mind. If you and I sit down to play a game of Monopoly, we have to follow the rules that are set out by the maker of the game. Neither of us can make up our own rules to suit our wants as we go along. That’s just not how it works. Apply this same principle to life. God the Creator has said how things are, because He’s the one who made them. He set out rules that are meant to protect us, and then He said, “There. Go and live. Follow the rules and be blessed. Disobey them and reap a curse.” It’s not God cursing us when we do something wrong. We’re hurting ourselves.
When a child is disobedient, does the parent not discipline them? Of course! And it’s done out of love for the child and his well being, not out of hate. Our relationship with God is no different. God gave us choice. The ability to divide Truth from Falsehood, and the ability to choose to love or to hate. Our choices are ours and ours alone.
To circle back to the initial topic, I don’t believe that suicide is a sin that will send your friend to hell. There is only one sin that leads to death of the spirit. Jesus shed His blood to cover all of our other sins. And we are ALL sinners. Without Jesus’s sacrifice, no one would be saved, because it is impossible to stop sinning while we are in the flesh.
Wendy, upon reading this article, I’ve noticed that several times you indicated that Judas repented of his sin of betrayal. However, scriptures do not actually say Judas ever repented, they say he was remorseful. There’s a difference, feeling remorse is feeling conviction & being sorry for what some one has done. Repenting is asking forgiveness from sin, & turning from sin. Do I believe Judas was remorseful? Yes. Do I believe he actually asked forgiveness ? I can’t say, the Bible does not clearly state that he asked God for forgiveness, just the priests in the temple when he returned the money. Nor did he make any sacrificial offerings of repentance, as was the custom during pass over. Remember, it was Pass Over when Jesus was crucified, which was why Pilate had to crucify him, because under Jewish law, the Jewish leaders were forbidden to execute anyone during pass over.
As far as Judas hanging himself, the Bible clearly indicates without a doubt Judas hanged himself, no questions asked, it’s there in black and white.
As for him spilling his guts in Acts, it came from either the rope snapping, or the branch breaking, causing his body to fall. The Bible isn’t clear on which. But forensics science, would prove, that after hanging in the heat for an extended period of time, the body would begin to bloat & decay, and the heat of the sun would cause it to dehydrate.
The weight of the body would eventually either cause friction in the rope to snap from the branch, or the branch would would eventually snap from the weight, causing the body to fall. Add the bloating & dehydration from the heat, the body would explode from the pressure of the impact on the ground. And since no where in the Bible doe it indicate Judas was cut down from the tree, one would have to assume he fell. How else would he have gotten down? All scripture is given by inspiration, of God, to man. Since the word of God is perfect and infallible, if the Bible says Judas hung himself, AND spilled his guts, than a true Bible believing Christian would take that to believe BOTH incidents happened just as it’s written. The gospels of the New Testaments are all versions of the same story, written by the apostles but from a different perspective,
Some give more details than others, and as you said, in order to understand the Bible, one must read the whole Bible. Did Judas go to Heaven, or Hell? If he did not fully 100% ask God’s forgiveness, then he’s burning in hell this day. As for Jesus promise that the 12 would be with him in Heaven, Stephen replaced Judas after his death, making him one of the 12. And Stephen was later stoned for preaching the gospel, Stephen never betrayed Jesus, he died for his beliefs & convictions, making him a better candidate as one of the 12 judges of the tribes of Israel, than Judas.
As for taking the Bible in literal terms, it’s a must for a Christian, if God said it, it’s true, there is no interpretation, no gray areas, it’s either all 100% true, or it’s a lie, & since we know God is not a liar, then we know it’s 100% true.
You also spoke of Armageddon being a battle of the mind. Revelation clearly states the Battle of Armageddon is a physical battle that will take place when the armies of the earth come together agains Jesus & the army of Heaven, in which Jesus will totally annihilate the armies of man. This is not a spiritual metaphor, this will physically take place. As did Jesus walking on the water, raising Lazarus from the dead, , all the way back to Elijah being taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire, in a whirlwind, to the parting of the Red Sea for Moses, & the sun standing still for Joshua,
These were all literal events that actually took place, these were not spiritual metaphors. So when you say that one shouldn’t interpret the Bible literally, but spiritually, you’re contradicting yourself. The Bible should be taken literally, with a spiritual application as it applies to the Christian life.
Is it not written that the natural came first that the spiritual be revealed? (1 Corinthians 15:46) Is it not written that there are two trees in the middle of the garden? One giving life, one putting to death? As you claim to be a Christian, are you not in that garden? Is it not written that there are two sides to wisdom? One, a wisdom which brings to life, and one a wisdom which puts to death? I fear in everything you’ve said in this comment that you are basing what you believe on your knowledge of good and evil rather than upon what Jesus, the Tree of Life, has to share with you. John 16:25, Galatians 4:24, Revelation 11:8, John 3:12, James 3:15. Job 11:6, Job 12:3. Genesis 2:9 — Two trees in the middle of the garden. Only how can you have two trees both occupying the same space? You’ve already admitted that God never lies, so what it says, we must believe. So how do you get two trees in the middle of the garden? One tree, with two sides. Two sides to wisdom. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil: Earthly (literal) understanding, and the Tree of Life: Truthful (spiritual) understanding. You embrace the literal, I do not.
P.S. Stephen didn’t replace Judas. Matthias did.
wendy, based on the “woe” prophecy preceding the betrayer of christ and john 17v12 where jesus confirmed a “lost one” amongst his disciples, i believe judas was of perdtion. God had foreknown what judas would do, yet still used it to achieve his purpose. what condemned judas was not his betrayal but his act of suicide. judas allowed sin to drive him into perdition, something peter did not allow. in john 17v12, jesus was not refering to some last day disciples or the devil, he was refering to his disciple, and got specific with the one whom woe betides – judas iscariot.
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 except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
It’s not talking about Judas Iscariot. The “one doomed to destruction” is the Devil, Satan, Falsehood, or more accurately, the Devil in man.
Also see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness [son of perdition in the KJV] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
A lot of people say this is speaking of Judas, but again, the “man of lawlessness” or the “son of perdition” is the Devil. NOT Judas. As I’ve already given evidence for in this post, I don’t believe that Judas committed suicide at all. No where does the Bible say that Judas went to hell. After all, we have the tangible Book of Judas, discovered in archaeology. If Judas committed suicide just days after his betrayal, then who wrote that book?
I think the Book of Judas is one of those pseudepigraphal works that attribute themselves to Judas. Just because there is book supposedly written by Judas it doesn’t mean it is true. Where in the Bible do you see that book? Nowhere. Why should people think it is true?
Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
I do hope you realize that the canonized Bible we use today is made up of books and letters that were chosen for inclusion by the church — by MEN. Jesus certainly didn’t hand the disciples a bound, ready-to-go version of the Bible that we have today. Even the apostle Paul would have had scrolls that date back to Old Testament times that aren’t included in our canonized Bible, like the Book of Enoch, but just because they aren’t in our Bible doesn’t make them any less legitimate or important. If every single scroll, book and letter that has been written about encounters with Jesus or that included mentions of the stories we find in the Bible were collected together, there would be no possible way to make it into ONE book. Our canonized Bibles include only a fraction of the writings that are out there, and yes, they definitely do the job. They were good choices. We don’t “need” more evidence, BUT that does not for one second mean that there isn’t other evidence out there, or that it’s crap just because it’s not included in the Bible.
“Why should people think the Book of Judas is true?” Well, why shouldn’t they? If you read the Book of Judas you’ll find that the message contained in it doesn’t contradict the message of the Bible. And it dates back to the right time period. And the very fact it exists can help us to better understand what really happened to Judas.
Revelation 1:1: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The book of Revelation reveals the identity of Jesus: Father Truth, His Spirit Love, Jesus the form of God — God in flesh — the Christ. What you quoted isn’t referring to any physical “book”. It’s talking about the message which reveals Jesus.
Be very careful with how you classify these ‘men’ who you say chose the books that form the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16 clearly says – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
I would say trusting other than the Holy Scriptures can be utterly dangerous.
wendy, also study john 6v70-71, jesus knew not all of his disciples were with him.
John 6:70: “Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)”
Jesus also (in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33) called Peter “Satan”, but no one thinks that Peter was condemned to hell. Jesus said to Peter, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” And is this not applicable to Judas as well? Judas betrayed Jesus for money — he was concerned with material wealth rather than the riches of wisdom with understanding that comes from God.
What a wonderful explanations! It really showed that the inspiration of God is still with men,but I have a point to say in matt 26:24 that woe unto that man… Has that not have condemned Judas? If Jesus had not pronounced that statement I believe Judas would go to heaven;or did Jesus say that because of his grief to pass through pain and agony?
Hi, Taiwo! No, I don’t believe that Matthew 26:24 condemns Judas. “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” This verse doesn’t say that Judas was condemned and wasn’t forgiven. It says that should he betray Jesus, he’s going to feel so badly about it that he’ll wish he hadn’t been born. And is that not exactly what happened? Scripture tells us that Judas was filled with remorse for what he had done. He gave back the silver and went and hung himself. Whether you believe how I have interpreted Judas’s hanging in this blog post, or you want to look at it as he literally killed himself, either way, is it not proof that Judas suffered greatly? I can well image that he wished he hadn’t been born!
The Woes are always two-sided. A Woe is a warning. If you heed the warning, you will be blessed. Ignore it and suffer a curse. The message either saves or condemns, depending on what you choose to do with it.
Also, Jesus is a Lord of forgiveness. Judas repented of his sin, so why would we think that he wasn’t forgiven?
But doesn’t the Bible say in 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Some say Judas was experiencing ‘worldly sorrow’ but I do not think we can know for certain if that was emotional grief or not. After all only God knows how Judas’ heart was.
Judas’s sorrow obviously led to repentance, and repentance leads to life. Sorrow in the absence of repentance is worldly sorrow leading to regret. Regret without repentance leads to death. He didn’t feel bad for himself, he felt bad when he saw that his actions led to Jesus being hurt (and ultimately killed).
Someone mentioned here Matthew 19:28 as proof that Judas went to Heaven being one of those twelve apostles.
If you go to Acts 1:24-26 – “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Couldn’t Matthias be the 12th apostle in Matthew 19:28 ?
This passage in Matthew isn’t just referring to twelve specific men who lived 2000 years ago. It’s applicable to all of us to this very day. The Twelve Tribes of Israel are (as explained in Genesis chapter 49) the twelve characters, attitudes, and personalities found in all of mankind. And it is the saints who will in the end, judge the whole world. (1 Corinthians 6:2 and 1 Peter 4:17) Judas is of the tribe of Benjamin, as is Matthias. So what’s important about this verse is not whether it’s referring to Judas or Matthias. Each of the 12 disciples (whether with Judas or with Matthias) represent one of the twelve Tribes of Israel.
Wendy,
Please read 1 Timothy 2:12. Thank you!
Lol! The irony is that that verse is more applicable to you than to me. Two sides to wisdom, Brian. Remember that. It’s not talking about those of the female gender. It’s not talking about gender at all. The masculine represents logic. The feminine represents emotion. When the Bible talks about “women” not speaking in church or here where Timothy says a woman is not permitted to teach or hold authority over a man, it’s talking about ANYBODY, with a penis OR a vagina, who lets emotion overtake logic. Sort of like what you just did here. There’s no logic involved in trolling somebody’s blog and then thinking that you’re going to give them a little dig because you’re not mature enough in the Scriptures to have an actual discussion. It’s PURE emotion, Brian. Not a shred of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, discipline, thought, or maturity in your comment, or the spirit in which it was left. Just your emotion. “I don’t like this and I want to play God! Wah, wah, wah.” Pure emotion. And THAT is what Timothy and Paul and all the others are talking about. “Women” in this verse is referring to people (male OR female) who draw conclusions based on their emotion rather than logic. I think it is disgusting that you, a man, dress yourself as a woman. I feel sorry for you if you’re truly so ignorant that you think it has anything to do with penises and vaginas.
Logic and emotion. Adam and Eve. You’d do well to study the Word, Brian. If you step into God’s house and presume to teach, then check your emotion at the door. If your responses are based on what you THINK rather than what the Word of God says, you’re not fit to speak or teach.
Great article. One question, if Satan entered Judas, was he a true believer because if you are, Satan can’t enter you, and?
Thanks for your insight.
Hi Krystal, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! As to your question, I can’t say one way or another what Judas’s beliefs were because only God knows for certain what’s in a man’s heart: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” (Romans 10:6,7). But I can say this: Being a true believer absolutely does NOT mean that Satan can’t enter you. Every time we sin, that’s the Devil (Falsehood hating Truth) in us. I doubt that many people would question whether or not Peter was a true believer, yet Jesus outright called Peter “Satan”. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33)
In Romans 7:14-25, Paul said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing…. Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me….”
The flesh is by nature evil, and as long as we live in this fleshly body, we WILL continue to sin. If God is Truth and Love, then Satan, the Devil, is Falsehood and Hatred. Every time we’re mean to someone, every time we hurt somebody, every time we break the law, we sin, and it is the devil living in us that causes that.
Our battle in this life is not against other people. The battle we fight is a spiritual battle, fought within ourselves. Will we choose to embrace and follow Truth or Falsehood? Will we choose to love or to hate? Our battle is God vs the Devil IN us. In every man. Satan lives in all of us, but it’s we who choose whether or not we listen to him.
To bring this back to Judas, also remember that at this time, Jesus had not yet been crucified, nor risen from the dead, which was necessary to prove that He is the Christ – Truth and Love in flesh. Therefore your question (was Judas a true believer) can’t really be asked. Because to be identified as a true believer in Christ, one must first have heard the message that reveals Jesus as Truth and Love made visible in flesh — and so acknowledge that Jesus is Lord — and that message came AFTER Jesus died and rose from the dead. Until Jesus died and rose from the dead, we didn’t have sufficient evidence that He IS the Messiah.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already ;) Cheers!
What sends a person to hell? For not believing on the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that BELIEVED NOT, and who should betray him.” (John 6:64)
Judas was a devil from the beginning.That’s why the Bible says “…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.” (Matthew 26:24)
I don’t how you could go around this. He is the son of perdition – period. He chose to betray the Son of Go; might be one of the reasons why it took so long to bring Jesus into the world to avoid situations where God denies people of their own will. He always wanted the perfect time/opportunity for people to choose for themselves that would somehow also match His plan for mankind’s salvation.
Did he repent? Absolutely – but he still went to hell. Because he repented with a sorrow tof this world that worketh death (2 Corin 7:10). Repentance is turning to God for forgiveness. He felt sorry for his sins but he did not turned to God afterwards, he still died in his sins.
“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.” (John 17:12)
All of Christ’s disciples were born-again saved believers EXCEPT (according to this verse) Judas the son of perdition because he believed not in the first place. Yes, it’s very tragic for a man to be in a state destined for damnation. It’s also tempting to deny Scripture and twist it according to our interpretations or how we wanted to it to be like. But what does the Bible say, folks? Thus saith the Lord!
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness [son of perdition in the KJV] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
The “son of perdition” or “man of lawlessness” is the Devil. NOT Judas. Judas fits NONE of this description of the son of perdition. And for a good reason: Again, it’s NOT talking about Judas, but the Devil.
Matthew 26:24 says nothing about hell. You don’t think that Judas wished he hadn’t been born when he realized that his betrayal was going to lead to Jesus’s DEATH? Judas was a greedy thief. He didn’t set out to be a murderer. There is nothing to “go around” here. Your entire argument is based on the lie that Judas is the son of perdition.
There is only one sin that leads to the second death — going to hell — and that is to blaspheme the Spirit. To commit the one unpardonable sin, is to hear and understand the message which teaches the identity of Jesus, and to deny it.
Mark 3:28: “I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
Hebrews 6:4: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
Judas never denied that Jesus was God. Judas’s sin had nothing to do with WHO Jesus is; and whether we recognize or deny WHO Jesus is is what determines where we end up when we die.
You quote John 3:18 and John 6:64. But have you forgotten Romans 10:10? “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Our “belief” isn’t what saves or condemns us. It’s our CONFESSION that matters. Paul makes a clear distinction between “justified” and “saved” here. Also see Romans 3:3: “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!”
And in Romans 12, it says: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the MEASURE OF FAITH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
God gives a measure of faith to every man. But not everyone has the same amount. And as I already quoted, will a man’s lack of “faith” nullify God’s faithfulness? No, it won’t. Faith is putting practice what you believe.
I agree with you that it’s tempting to twist God’s Word according to our interpretations or “how we wanted to it to be like”. So I’d urge you to study a little more about the son of perdition. If everything you believe is based on something that’s not true, then everything out of your mouth will be a lie. There are no contradictions in the Bible. If you find some, then you’re not reading it correctly. If what you say doesn’t line up with the entire Word of God, then it’s not right. The Bible says there is only ONE sin which leads to eternal death, and nowhere does it say that Judas committed it.
If you’re so sure that Judas went to hell, then you must believe that Peter went to hell too. After all, Matthew 16:23 says: “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Jesus Himself called PETER “Satan”. John 13:27: “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.” Remember that the Devil is Falsehood and Hatred, and he can, and does, enter every single one of us. Any time we speak a lie, that is Satan in us. So by your logic, are we ALL condemned?
If you agree that the unpardonable sin is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, then how could Judas have done that considering the fact that the Holy Spirit was not gifted to men (1 John 1:20) until AFTER Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? It was impossible for Judas to understand that Jesus was God until AFTER He was crucified and rose from the dead. And committing the unpardonable sin hinges on a person knowing and understanding that Jesus is God (Father Truth, His Spirit Love, manifest visibly in His one and only begotten bodily form — the Christ, God with us, the Messiah of Isaiah) — and then denying it. Until Jesus rose from the dead, no conclusive fulfillment of the evidence had taken place. The conclusive evidence was that the Messiah had to be put to death and raised from the dead.