Let’s take Judas Iscariot, whose name was written in heaven – Luke 10:20 – but his name was erased from the book of life for forsaking the right way and choosing the way of Balaam (who loved the wages of unrighteousness) – 2Pet 2:15 – the fathers did eat the same spiritual meat and are dead – John 6:58/1Cor 10:1-4/Jude 1:5.
Judas was one among the twelve chosen apostles who were ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 6: 70,71 –NIV/Mark 3:14,19) – For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry – Acts 1:17 – to whom was given power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease – Matt 10:1/Luke 9:1,6 – but he loved the reward of iniquity – Acts 1:17,18/Jude 1:11/John 12:4-6/1Tim 6:9-12 – this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression FELL – Acts 1:25 – erred from faith – for the love of money drowns men in destruction and perdition – 1Tim 6:9,10.
He that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent – Pro 28:20 – Covetousness is idolatry – Col 3:5.
Judas Iscariot became a son of perdition – he lost his calling – John 17: 12 – Satan entered and took possession of Judas at the last supper (the Passover) to betray Jesus – John 13:2,27 – Judas had sin (iniquity) in his heart as did Lucifer – Isaiah 14:13 – and that had led to the possession of his soul by the devil.
Note that, he was not possessed by the devil from childhood as the Apocryphal Arabic Gospel of the Infancy puts it – for certain, he had been under the influence of Satan, and that must have given the devil leeway to enter him.
Judas would not have experienced the holy persuasion of Christ or benefited from the light and spiritual gifts of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, if he had been the demonic entity that many believe him to be.
Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death – James 1:14,15.
Covetousness had brought him down. He wasn’t honest! Only Jesus knew the way Judas was handling the money that was entrusted to him – John 12:6 – for he was appointed to administer the financial assets and liabilities of this herd of believers – Judas must have been deeply offended by Jesus’ rebuke, as also the Synoptic Gospels put it (the pouring of the precious ointment on the body of Christ, for his burial – Matt 26:12 – affronted all the disciples – verse 8), which could have motivated him to later strike a bargain with the chief priests to betray Jesus – Matt 26:6-10 – or hearing Jesus speak about his death could have led him to think that his position as the head of the monetary resources is provisional and that he would not have a chance to make wealth once the Master is gone – he must have thought: well, let me save my life before it is too late!
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it – Matt 16:25 – and My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him – Heb 12:5 – My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction – Pro 3:11- If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons – Heb 12:7.
Judas was justified by faith and was baptized in water by John (Acts 1:17 – his bishopric (the office of bishop) let another take – Acts 1:20,25/ Ps 41:9/ 109:8 –KJV/John 4:1-2/13:18-21/17:12).
The word “Betrayal” holds value only when it happens between the best of friends. Otherwise, it cannot be seen as betrayal. If you testify against your enemy that ain’t betrayal. If Judas was an enemy he should be seen as an opponent, adversary but the gospels bear witness that Judas was faithful UNTIL sin was found in him. Sin in his heart was the reason why Satan had entered into Judas (Luke 22:3).
An opponent is a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another. But we see that Judas was remorseful of his betrayal – Matt 27:4 – if he was an enemy then he wouldn’t feel the pangs of conscience, would he? A traitor means, one who gives himself or surrender to the enemy – Luke 6:16 – to dissent from his believed ideals.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10). It is a serious offense!
For EVERY man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:14, 15). Do not err, my beloved brethren! (James 1:16) Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Cor 10:12).
The Bible says, He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning (1 John 3:8) – Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother (1 John 3:12) – Judas too consciously partook of the wicked works and had become a fellow conspirator to slew the “Prince of Life”. He had barked up the wrong tree by his love of money and thus erred from faith.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (Rom 8:13) – to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom 6:16)
Betrayal can only happen in a close relationship otherwise it ain’t betrayal. Betrayal is the opposite of loyalty. Only a person who was once loyal to a cause, due to persuasions, temptations, threatenings etc…when retracts/fall away from it, we could say that he/she betrayed or deserted/disavowed the person or organization that he/she was once loyal to!
We’ve heard of real life stories of military officers and citizens alike defected from their oppressive regimes. If so, even apostasy is considered a betrayal, isn’t it?
Doesn’t the Bible say that in the last days apostasy shall take place within the christendom? How many Christians have already betrayed the Lord by leading a life opposing to the word of God, in pursuit of saving their own lives, loving themselves, loving this present world, following after money etc…? Isn’t it crucial then to often examine ourselves whether we are in the faith or not, and that we aren’t deceived?
That betrayal broke Jesus’ heart, why? Because Judas was his bosom friend whom he trusted (relied on and was confident – AMP), and he betrayed him – Ps 41:9 – RSV– Matt 26:50 – Judas was not clean in the heart – John 13:11 – Judas had experienced the power of God in his life – he underwent the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (John’s Baptism – Mark 1:4/Acts 19:3) – Authority had been given to him, as well to all the other disciples – Matt 10:1-5,8/Luke 6:12-16/Mark 3:14,15/6:12,13 – At the last supper we find Judas also partook of the bread (a symbol of Jesus’ body/flesh), but we read that he left before he could partake of the wine – a symbol of Christ’s blood, shed on the cross – John 13:26-30 – what a tragic end!
We have a counterpart in the Old Testament too – it is Balaam, he is the Judas of the Old Testament. He gave four oracles of God, hasn’t he? Numbers 22:8,13,18/23:4-
See how faithful Balaam was before the fall: All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do (Numbers 23:26) – Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth? (Numbers 23:12).
Though he wasn’t Jewish, he still knew God. He even prophesied about the Messiah – Numbers 24:7,17 – he also said, a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel – Numbers 24:17 – Where were the wise men from? – Matt 2:1 – From Mesopotamia. Where was Balaam from? Mesopotamia. Might they have read the oracles of Balaam to get this understanding?
Judas, by transgression, fell from the ministry and Apostleship – Acts 1:17,25/Matt 27:4 – as did many other disciples later refused to believe in Christ – John 6:64,66 – he was chosen as a disciple, he was favored with the grace of the Apostolate, and enjoyed the privilege of having an intimate friendship with the Divine Master – yet he sold his Lord for a paltry price.
Esau too had sold his birthright for one morsel of meat, hadn’t he? – Heb 12:16,17 – Demas (a fellow worker – Col 4:14/Philemon 1:24) loved this present world and forsook the right way – 2Tim 4:10/ 2Pet 2:15/James 4:4/1John 2:15,16.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning – 2Pet 2:20/Luke 11:26 – For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame – Heb 6:4-6.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away – Luke 8:13.
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the ROOT of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things* (Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted and were overthrown in the wilderness – 1Cor 10); *and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, LAY HOLD on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses – 1Tim 6:6-11.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul – Heb 10:38, 39 – Let us, therefore, fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it – Heb 4:1.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear – 1Pet 1:17 – Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons – Acts 10:34.