WHAT ABOUT JUDAS? [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

The Son of Perdition Exposed

Dear eternal security adherent:

You cannot take one verse or passage and make a conclusion without the whole of Scripture agreeing. Judas was chosen, sent out by Christ to preach Christ’s Gospel, raise the dead, and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1-8), and was promised a throne in Heaven (Matthew 19:28) and died and went to Hell for betraying Jesus (Acts 1:25). He followed Christ and then departed from the Son of God. Jesus says that one can believe and then “fall away” (Luke 8:13). Are you going to call the Son of God a liar? Are you going to tell God He can’t eliminate transgressors from His own kingdom? See Revelation 21:8. Since when do you tell God what to do?

The truth about Judas is a death nail and nightmare to the calvinist and OSAS/eternal security adherent.

If “once saved always saved” is true, then what about Judas?

“That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, that he might go to his own place (Hell).” Acts 1:25

How did Judas fall away from the LORD? Can we let the One he fell away from answer that important question? “Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL.” (Acts 1:25) Note here that Judas did not fall because he was predestined to fall by some divine pre-selection, but because he made the deliberate and ongoing personal decision to live in sin against a holy God. The idea, as supposed by the Calvinistic mindset, that the Almighty chose Judas to transgress and betray the Son of God is obliterated by numerous Scriptures, including James 1.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

This statement of divine authority clearly and forever establishes that the LORD never leads a person to sin. The LORD may turn the unrepentant transgressor over to be deluded, but that is only after that hardened offender has intentionally lived in contempt against His holiness (2 Thess. 2:10-12). The glorious grace of God, provided through Christ’s costly sacrifice, is not a license for sin. Divine grace is rather the blessing of God for His people to enable them to fellowship with Him and to please Him fully and be fruitful in His holy kingdom. The Savior’s grace is supplied in ample and sufficient supply to those who truly choose to love and serve Him.

First and foremost, Judas was not chosen before time to betray the Son of God, but rather was one of Christ’s twelve, chosen to love and to serve Him. The LORD did not foreordain that Judas would fall but rather He simply foreknew that Judas would fall. Judas was selected to be one of only twelve men Christ would pour His life into (during His 3.5 year ministry on earth) in order to lay the foundation of the New Testament Church. I believe that it is highly offensive to a holy God for any person claiming to be His to indict Christ for purposefully bringing into His ministry a man who was a devil (originally, when chosen). The fact that Jesus “knew from the beginning who…should betray him” in no way alleviates God-given free will. Judas never lost the divinely-given freedom of choice – to choose and to continue to decide whom he would serve.

“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

“Jesus knew…who should betray him.” Such divine foreknowledge does not affect the moral choice He granted to every man to exercise himself for or against the LORD (Rom. 6:16). The cult of calvinism denies the foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:2). Just because God foreknew everything, in no way means He tampers with any one person’s free will (James 1:13-15). Faith is always a choice and a privilege. There are those who believe and those who “believe not.” Believing and rebelling in unbelief is a divinely-granted choice and each brings its own reward from the One who made man with the ability to choose. Those who exercise their faith toward the LORD please Him and those who don’t, displease Him (Romans 1:16-18; Hebrews 3:12-15; 10:34-39; 11:6). In the case of Christ’s original twelve, eleven chose to initially and continually trust Christ through much tribulation and one freely chose to betray Him.

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70-71

Of Judas, Christ told His twelve: “One of you is a devil.” Was Judas a devil because God created him to be a devil or because he “by transgression” fell from grace and became a devil? Nowhere does the Word tell us that Judas was from the beginning a devil but rather that Christ knew from the beginning (in His divine foreknowledge) that Judas would betray Him. Jesus says here that “one of you is a devil.” At the time of this statement, Judas had already betrayed Christ in his heart and was therefore a “devil.” The fact that he was a devil at that point does not mean he was always a devil.

The Almighty “inhabiteth eternity” and therefore knows all – past, present and future (Isaiah 57:15). Such divine foreknowledge (all-knowing) does not affect the free will He granted to every man to exercise either for or against Him.

How could Judas always have been a devil if he was Jesus’ “own familiar friend” and sent forth by Jesus Himself to represent Him in ministry? Satan entered Judas at the end of Christ’s ministry which proves he was not always an agent of the devil or a devil from the beginning but rather that he became Christ’s enemy by his own deliberate choices.

“The betrayal of Jesus by Judas didn’t just happen incidentally or accidentally. Satan had been working on Judas for a long time. By this tragic event recorded in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit wanted all to know what an opportunity this man Judas had thrown away. The OSAS (once saved always saved) false teaching is no different. It did not just happen. Satan sold a lie and many, like Judas, will throw away the greatest opportunity that the Lord had given them (Luke 22:3-4). Judas went his own way and not God’s way.” CB

Let’s peek into the scenario on the very night before our Jesus was crucified and observe how things unfolded:

“Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. THEN entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.” Luke 22:1-6

“THEN entered Satan into Judas” –It was only “then” –after the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus that Satan entered into Judas. This proves that Judas was not always a devil or traitor.

Here’s the same account from the Gospel of John:

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.” John 13:1-2

Judas’ betrayal of the Son of God did not come in an instant. His hardened heart of unbelief was a process (Hebrews 3:12-15). Judas’ backsliding and heart-hardening sin was of his own doing. Like every individual, Judas made decisions in his brief earthly life which had and have eternal consequences. His refusal to believe and obey and continue to experience relationship with Christ, came through hours, days, and months of unbelief which hardened his heart. Such unbelief gave way to the infiltration of Satan (John 6:70-71; 13:2; Hebrews 3:12-15).

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.” John 13:2

Please re-read the above verse and ask the essential question who it was that put into Judas’ heart to betray Jesus. Was it God or Satan? Note: “…the DEVIL (not the LORD) having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.”

“God cannot be tempted with evil.” James 1:13

The enemy was able to “put into the heart of Judas…to betray” Christ due to Judas’ choice to live contrary to Him. The same potential remains true for all this side of eternity.

Like every believer in the Son of God, Judas was predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ and to be glorified with Him, yet his free will was never tampered with or removed (Romans 8:29-30). Many of those who have espoused an unbiblical grace do so because they have elevated certain Scriptures above other Scriptures and yet “All (not just some) scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). One of the erroneous beliefs of Calvinism is that it elevates and aggrandizes Romans 8:29 above Romans 8:13. This is the classic reason for the belief of false doctrine – conclusion of a matter without a full investigation and faith in the full-counsel of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live…For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:13, 29-30

God loves all people and has predestined each to be washed in the blood of and conformed to the image of the Son of God and to be glorified with Him eternally. Yet, He leaves that ultimate choice up to the individual. The God who is love has provided sufficient and glorious grace for each to love and obey Him and to overcome. His grace truly is sufficient to those who exercise their faith in Him. Every blessing of the saint was provided through Christ’s one and perfect sacrifice on the cross (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

Just because a father desires and leads his son or daughter to become a doctor, does not guarantee that such will happen. The fact that the LORD, who is love, desires for all those created in His image to be with Him eternally, does not guarantee that will be the case (Matthew 7:13-14; 25:41).

“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15

The Reason Hell was Created

Those who choose to believe Him and are doers of His Word will be with Him eternally in Heaven (Revelation 2-3). Each individual is the servant of the one he chooses to serve – self or Jesus (Romans 6:15-16). Those who freely choose to betray Christ as Judas did by not loving and serving Him in deed and in truth, will spend eternity with the rest of God’s enemies in a place called hell which will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15).

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41

The original divine intent for this horrid place called “hell” was the divine justice of “everlasting punishment” for the devil and his angels (those who depart from the LORD due to their iniquity (Matthew 25:46). The purpose for Hell did not include one precious eternal human soul spending forever there. Yet, because men have free will and some will choose to live contrary to the divine Judge, they must be imprisoned eternally as rebels (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

There are a few different schools of thought in the Calvinistic camp. Some tout the teaching they call “the perseverance of the saints” while others term their belief “once saved always saved.” In each case those who have been taught these doctrines of mere men violate the biblical truth that men have free will and never lose the free will to choose while on earth. Any time one removes the Bible truth that God never forces men to do His will, they inevitably err.

“All Scripture” Must be Considered

“All (not some) scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine…” 2 Timothy 3:16

The one who believes in and teaches a no-responsibility salvation, does not adhere to “All scripture,” but rather isolates a certain verse or two here and there to make his point. This is the way heresy and false doctrine is propagated in the church world. “All Scripture” must be taken in context with the whole of the Word of God in order to apprehend the mind of Christ (2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 28:10; 1 Corinthians 2:13). Error is inevitable when clear Bible truths are excluded (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 1 Corinthians 2:13). “Precept upon precept; line upon line” learning is essential to sound biblical doctrine (Isaiah 28:10).

Judas, a man selected by the very Son of God to hold the highest office in the Church (Apostle), and promised an eternal throne, “by transgression FELL.” See Matthew 19:28. The Bible tells us that Judas was a man who was Christ’s “own familiar friend, in whom I trusted” (Psalm 41:9). Jesus not only chose Judas as one of His twelve, but “trusted” him so much so that He made Judas the treasurer of His ministry. Dare we insinuate that Jesus Christ, the very Righteousness of God, chose a devil or an evil man to be part of His ministry? Judas was originally fit for the ministry and “friend” of Christ’s, before He chose to turn from Christ. Judas Iscariot is now in “his own place (Hell)” because he refused to endure to the end or continue abiding in relationship with Christ. This very disciple of Jesus neglected to cultivate the soil of his heart and chose to live in disobedience to the clearly known will of God. Judas, like all believers, never lost his ability to choose life or death (Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:19-20, etc.).

The life of Judas is a nemesis to those who pervert, twist, and maul the true grace of God revealed in Holy Scripture. The grace corrupters are forced to downplay the apostleship of Judas and his relationship with Jesus in order to make their unconditional eternal security teaching palatable. For this same reason, they must overplay the prophetic fulfillment of the son of perdition (means utter destruction), not acknowledging that such a divine foreknowledge did nothing to remove Judas’ free will. Concerning this, Wayne Jackson writes:

“Another important fact that must be recognized is that foreknowledge does not demand predetermination. God foreknew that Judas, exercising his own free will, would betray his Son. These passages, therefore, reflect Heaven’s foreknowledge, but not a predetermined action over which the betrayer had no control. Even Presbyterian scholar Albert Barnes, in commenting on John 13:18, wrote: ‘It does not mean that Judas was compelled to this course in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled…’

A further illustration of this principle is seen in the fact that Christ was delivered up to death by the determinate counsel and the ‘foreknowledge’ of God (Acts 2:23), and yet the ones who were involved in the Savior’s crucifixion were held accountable for their evil deed (23b; cf. 36-38).

The frequent rationalization, ‘I can’t help what I do; I was predestined to do it,’ is a false notion, but one that finds ready acceptance in a modern world that seeks to escape from personal responsibility. The Scriptures teach that men will give an account on the day of Judgment for their own conduct (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10) – not for actions thrust upon them by God. The very idea of such is an affront to the Almighty.” (Notes on Luke and John, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1954 Edition, p. 320).

Judas made volitional decisions. The LORD sovereignly created man with free will – the ability to choose the way he will go. Judas made choices to deny Christ and betray the Son of God. There was no divine influence whatsoever upon Judas to make him sin. We know this because “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

The unchanging, eternal God had nothing to do with Judas turning away from Him and to sin. God is love and God is holy and He leads no man into sin and to imagine such is to lie against the truth (James 3:14). The Almighty told us that He is “…not willing that ANY should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Of God the Word tells us:

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.” Titus 2:11

Sin Separates – God Is Holy

“That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, that he might go to his own place (eternal Hell).” Acts 1:25

The wages of sin is still death (separation from the Lord (Romans 6:23). Even before Adam and Eve fell by their own transgression, the angel Lucifer, who apparently held the highest office in Heaven among His angels, was cast down for his sin of pride (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Luke 10:18).

Was Judas without free will? Was he helpless? Was Judas’ sin forced upon him by the foreknowledge of God? Or was it volitional? Did Judas make a choice to betray Christ? Was Judas, as the Calvinist asserts, a pawn of the evil dealings of a wicked deity? What god does the Calvinist serve since he refuses to gain his theology from the one true God who gave us His precious written Word?

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him…Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood…went and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:3-5

Judas chose to sin and therefore fell from grace. Concerning this matter, Wayne Jackson writes:

“Some would suggest that Judas was but a helpless pawn, unable to resist the invasion of Satan into his life. That certainly is not the case, as even Judas himself conceded. He never pled: ‘I could not help myself; Satan made me do it!’ Rather, he confessed: ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood’ (Matthew 27:4). It is a remarkable oddity when modern man, twenty centuries removed from the event, can profess to know more about the situation than the culprit himself!”

SIN SEPARATES – God told His own covenant people: “But YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

Of His own people who had gone back into sin after being brought out of Egypt (type of salvation through Christ), the LORD said: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33).

Not only is divine grace not a license to sin, New Testament believers are under greater responsibility to live unto the LORD than Old Testament saints were (Hebrews 10:26-29). This is such an elementary truth of Scripture that it boggles this believer’s mind that there would be those who call themselves Christian teachers and theologians who will not teach this truth and give notion that unholy living will enter the gates of His holy Heaven! What treason is this!

Like Lucifer, Judas is a prime example in all of history that the all-knowing God forces no one of His children to continue to serve Him. Judas betrayed Christ and never repented so went to “his own place” – the place justly and divinely reserved for all who turn back from following the LORD and do not return in repentance. In contrast, Peter betrayed Christ and returned and is now in eternal glory where he will forever reign with His LORD and Savior.

Judas kissed the Gate of Heaven, the very Son of God, then turned and marched deliberately into eternal Hell, where he will forever be.

Perhaps Judas expected the Messiah to come the first time as a conquering King. Like many of the Jews, he had misguided expectations, which caused his heart to misfire as the Savior came the first time as the suffering servant and sacrificial Lamb (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Christ will return the second time as the conquering Warrior and “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19) Judas failed to discern the difference between the first and second coming of the Messiah as many in Israel did. This led to unfulfilled expectations. Like all false teaching and believing, this may have had a profound and negative effect on Judas. Jesus came as a suffering Servant the first time but will come as the conquering King the second time.

The LORD is a merciful and loving Savior (Psalm 86:5, 15). Jesus wanted to restore Judas to a right relationship with God. Christ even called Judas His “friend” in the Garden of Gethsemane all the way to the point of being taken to be crucified having been betrayed by the son of perdition (Matthew 26:49-50). Having been betrayed by Judas for a small amount of money, Christ still held out hope of redemption for him, but Judas refused the divinely-extended grace and betrayed Heaven’s King for a small amount of earthly money.

“Now he (Judas) that betrayed him (Jesus) gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore (why) art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Matthew 26:48-50

Jesus called Judas “Friend” all the way to the end. There is a significant truth here. In this perhaps we see that God’s love will pursue us all the way to Hell if we choose, after knowing Him, to betray Him and refuse to turn back to Him in repentance. Might this indicate that one is not separated from God’s love and the opportunity to repent until he leaves the earth? Romans 8:38-39 is written to those who are truly “sons of God” and are living according to the Holy Spirit and not the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:1, 5; 13-14). It is when one is abiding in the presence of the LORD that he has assurance and is secure in the love of God and not separated from Him who is love.

Matthew 10:1-5 – THE ORIGINAL TWELVE DISCIPLES OF JESUS

All John Calvin’s 5-point TULIP teaching stands or falls on Judas. The Calvinist loses his whole argument if Judas was truly saved as the Bible clearly shows he was.

To those who seek to justify Satan’s “eternal security” . . . “once saved always saved” heresy by saying Judas was never saved, I would ask: “So Jesus, the Son of God, chose out a devil to the highest office in His kingdom as one of His twelve original apostles? Jesus sent a devil to preach His Gospel, to cast out devils, to heal the sick, and raise the dead? Read Matthew 10:1-8. Jesus promised Judas a throne in Heaven but Judas wasn’t His child? See Matthew 19:28.

Jesus promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven, undeniably (Matthew 19:28).

Let’s look a little deeper into Holy Writ to find out what really happened with this most dastardly character named Judas Iscariot.

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and JUDAS ISCARIOT, who also betrayed him. These TWELVE (not eleven) Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go…” Matthew 10:1-5

**According to the Holy Bible here in this passage found in the Gospel of Matthew, who were the original “twelve disciples” or apostles of the very Son of God elected and chosen and sent forth to represent Him and do His work, spreading His Gospel to the world? Let’s enumerate who these twelve special men of God were whom the infinite and eternal and Almighty God – Jesus Christ of Nazareth – specifically chose to represent Him:

1) Peter

2) Andrew

3) James

4) John

5) Philip

6) Bartholomew

7) Thomas

8) Matthew

9) James

10) Labbaeus

11) Simon

12) Judas Iscariot

These twelve men were elected and answered the call to the highest office of the church – apostleship. Can there remain any doubt whatsoever that according to the historically accurate record and documented account of the life of Jesus Christ that Judas Iscariot was one of His twelve chosen original disciples and that He sent Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel and do His ministry?

“He (Judas) Was Numbered With Us”

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he (Judas) was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” Acts 1:15-18

Jesus Christ had died and rose again completely propitiating for man’s sins. He had instructed His apostles not to go forth yet but to wait in Jerusalem until they received the fullness of the Holy Ghost which they would need to do His work (Luke 24:49; John 16:7; Acts 1:4-8). This would be the actual birth of the New Testament Church! Here they are, gathered together waiting for the promise of their Savior (Acts 1:4-8). Wow! While the 120 disciples gathered to await the promised Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter stands in the midst and of all things, is Spirit-led to speak of this prophecy found in the Old Testament that Judas would betray the Son of God. He says that such a prophecy “must needs have been fulfilled.” It had to be fulfilled, not because God foreordained and wanted Judas in Hell or because the God of Heaven needed a pawn to use then destroy, but rather because the LORD Almighty cannot lie and knows the end from the beginning (because He alone is all-knowing). He knows all things past, present and future, yet such infinite knowledge does nothing to influence or alter the God-given moral and volitional nature and decision-making process of any individual. Such a notion paints the picture of an evil being, which must be Satan and not God who “is love” (1 John 4:8) To attribute such evil and iniquitous intent to the Almighty is a blasphemous atrocity at best. To claim that He would create any person just for the purpose of exploiting and then damning that person to an eternity of conscious torment, would be completely unbiblical and a wicked accusation to make against the LORD who “cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). Of Him the Word says “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…” (Habakkuk 1:13). Such is the doctrine of the devil and his agent John Calvin and many today who mislead others to worship at the alter of a false god (2 Timothy 3:13).

Forget John Calvin and any other heretic in church history – What does the Holy Bible say concerning this matter of Judas Iscariot?

Note here in Acts 1 (shown above) that the apostle Peter says that the “Holy Ghost” through king David had hundreds of years before foretold the betrayal of Christ – “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). This was going to be fulfilled, not because God is ruthless or had it in for Judas – No! But rather because His foreknowledge and understanding is perfect and “infinite” (Psalm 147:5) Now that’s a case for the sovereignty of God and not (the very opposite) that He would create a human being, a man in His own image – Judas or any other person – just to mislead, relegate and damn him to eternal suffering. How erroneous, ludicrous and evil a thought!

Take close notice of verse 17 here in Acts 1 – “He (Judas) was numbered with us (the original twelve), and had obtained part of this ministry.”

Judas:

1) “was numbered with us” – one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

2) “had obtained part of this ministry” – all twelve (not just eleven) were appointed and sent forth by Christ to represent Him and do His ministry work.

Another of the original twelve is speaking here – Peter. Peter was a firsthand eyewitness. He was present with Judas and the other ten when his very ears heard and eyes beheld the Son of God promise an eternal – everlasting throne in Heaven to each of the “twelve” of them, which includes Judas Iscariot – “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).

Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!

At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).

If Judas Iscariot, one of Christ’s very twelve, was not unconditionally eternally secure, then why would anyone else be since there is “no respecter of persons with God” (Romans 2:11)? Did Judas not lose out? Yes! It’s too late for Judas but not for us (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Some look at this topic through the heretical glasses of Calvinism which is diabolical. So, they force things, force interpretation based on believing the OSAS/eternal security/perseverance of the saints doctrines of devils.

So, Jesus sent out a devil to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, etc.? Read Matthew 10:1-8. Jesus prayed and selected a devil to the highest position in the church and called him an apostle? You going to indict Jesus, bearing false witness against the Son of God?

Now let’s look at Acts 1:18 in this revealing and detailed passage about the apostle Judas –“Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” How did Judas fall from grace after being chosen by Jesus Christ as one of His very twelve original apostles and sent forth to heal sick people, cast out devils and preach His eternal Gospel? The Bible tells us here that Judas “purchased” his own destiny which means he deliberately brought it into his own bosom by his own resolve to reject (after possessing) and live outside of a relationship with the LORD. He simply reaped what he sowed (Galatians 6:7-8). This word “purchase” here is strong and even more clear evidence that Judas made full provision for and utilized his full faculties and expended the energies he was given to do what he did in betraying the Son of God. The wages of sin is still death and Judas reaped spiritual and eternal death (separation from God in Hell) for his sinful betrayal of the Messiah and refusal to turn back to the LORD before it was too late, which he was free to do even to the end.

If someone jumps off a building, was that what was supposed to happen? Was that God’s will? No, it was the will of the one who chose to jump. Judas went to Hell because he rebelled against the only Savior, not because God wanted him there. Judas refused to repent and turn back to the LORD after being given ample opportunity to do such.

We have record that Judas was quite right with God but was in the end left out of the eternal blessing of Heaven. Of the apostle Judas, the Word says – “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry” (Acts 1:17). This forever settles the issue and silences the critics who argue (without basis) that Judas was never right with the LORD. Judas Iscariot certainly was chosen to the highest office in the Church and as an integral part of the very ministry of the Son of God and yet turned against Him, betraying Him to death for a small sum and forfeiting his place in the eternal kingdom of God after being promised it (Matthew 19:28). Such a clear example alone makes it more than abundantly clear that falling from grace is utterly possible as the remainder of Holy Scripture unmistakably testifies to.

Holy Father please grant our hearts grace to be convicted and repentant that we be never hardened through the deceitfulness of sin! (Hebrews 3:12-15)

Judas’ End

“That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, that he might go to his own place (eternal Hell).” Acts 1:25

Judas is in Hell. Here’s further proof. Prophetic of Judas betraying the Son of God, Psalms 55 gives us some insight:

“For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me (from the outside) that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal (insider), my guide, and mine acquaintance (“mine own familiar friend” Ps 41:9). 14 We took sweet counsel together (Matthew 26:23), and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them (all betrayers including Judas), and let them go down quick (alive) into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. … 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction (eternal Hell): bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” Psalms 55:12-15, 23

In the booklet The Eternal Security Teaching, J. L. Stauffer offers these thought-provoking words concerning Judas Iscariot:

“It should be noted that the statements that our Lord made about Judas being a devil, were made toward the close of His ministry. Note some Biblical facts:

1. Christ chose twelve apostles, including Judas Iscariot. No intimations are made at the time of choosing the twelve that Judas was not a true believer the same as the others. See Matt. 10; Mark 3; Luke 6. Reference to Judas Iscariot as the traitor is made by several writers of Scripture, long years after the incident of his death to distinguish him from the other Judas. It is a mark of identification and in itself throws no light upon the character of Judas Iscariot when he was chosen by our Lord. We have a similar designation regarding ‘Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin,’ which throws no light upon Jeroboam’s character at the time the prophet Ahijah brought him the message from the Lord. (I Kings 11:26:40.)

2. If Judas was a ‘devil’ from the beginning as some claim, then you have the startling fact to face that our Lord chose a devil as an apostle.

3. Our Lord foreknew who should betray Him from the beginning, but Judas had the same teaching, call, environment, and opportunity to make good as did the others. Divine foreknowledge does not interfere with the free will God gave every man.

4. If Judas was a devil from the beginning, then such terms as were prophesied of him are hard to reconcile with the other teachings and principles of the Master. ‘Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me’ (Psa. 41:9). Would Jesus, knowing Judas was a devil, trust in him or call him His ‘own familiar friend?’ A ‘devil’ is an adversary and enemy; but if, as some eternal security teachers think, Psalm 55 is a prophetic Messianic psalm of which Ahithophel turning traitor to David was a type of Judas turning against the Lord, then we have a second witness from the Psalms that ‘it was not an enemy that reproached me.’ It was ‘a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company’ (Psa. 55:13-14). Certainly this language does not describe one who was a devil from the beginning, as eternal security teachers affirm.

5. If Judas was a devil, while the other eleven were ordinary men, then you have another contradiction; viz., Satan casting out Satan, because the apostles (Judas included) were sent out two by two to heal the sick, cast out devils, and preach the Gospel. There is no intimation in the Gospel records that Judas was a misfit on this missionary journey. Other emissaries of Satan, when they tried to cast out a demon by the use of the name of Jesus, were not at all successful. (See Acts 19:13-17.) Christ made it clear that Satan does not cast out demons. See Matt. 12:25-26; Luke 11:15-18.

6. It was not until at the last feast that the devil entered into Judas, although Christ towards the close of His Galilean ministry (John 6:70-71) announced that one of the twelve would betray Him. Christ was omniscient and knew all events that would be connected with His life here on earth. Covetousness, greed, love of money, were doubtless the besetting sins of Judas and despite the warnings of our Lord against covetousness and ‘the deceitfulness of riches,’ these sins got the upper hand of Judas and he finally went to the chief priests, and of his own free will bargained about the sale of our Lord for silver.

7. John 17 does not say that Christ only received eleven apostles from the Father. He chose twelve at the beginning of His ministry that they might be with Him, and Christ was unable to keep one. Not because of a lack of power on Christ’s part, but because Judas was unwilling and this limited Christ’s keeping power. ‘Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them (that thou gavest me) is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled.’ The literal Greek of part of John 17:12 is ‘and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled.’ This implies that Judas was once saved with the rest, but not fulfilling the conditions for Christ’s keeping perished spiritually. The Scriptures prophesied that there should be a betrayer and God foreknew that Judas would be he, but God did not foreordain Judas to be the betrayer of his Lord. If Judas, against his own will, was foreordained to be the betrayer, then the one who foreordained Judas would be responsible because Judas could not have helped it.

8. Last, ‘Judas by transgression fell’ (Acts 1:16, 17, 25). Judas was a man into whom Satan entered. He was no demon incarnate. If there were no erroneous doctrine to defend, the various references about Judas Iscariot would present no difficulty at all to the eternal security teachers. The Judas episode would be simply a clear case of apostasy from the truth.”

11 Kept – 1 Lost

“That he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him…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…” John 17:2, 12

The Father gave eternal life to the twelve whom He had given to Christ. Jesus kept them and they were safe except one who chose not to be kept. The fact that twelve were given Him of the Father and only eleven made it to Heaven is telling.

It is abundantly clear in Scripture that Judas was given to Jesus by the Father (as one of His very own) and then lost due to his own decision to sin in his heart and betray the Son of God (Acts 1:25). Jesus said He kept all except one – Judas. The fact that Judas was one of His and yet was not kept tells us that the LORD doesn’t keep everyone who is at one point His own child. Judas was the LORD’s “friend” (Psalm 41:9) We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). Man has his God-given personal responsibility to continue in faith in order to be “kept” by Him.

Saint of the LORD, a study of the life of Judas is a lesson for each of us. We are all predestined to be conformed to Christ’s image and to be with Him eternally and do His work, but the LORD leaves it up to the individual as to whom he will choose to serve (Joshua 24:15). Such will determine the eternal destination of each person.

Calvinist Nightmare: The Judas Dilemma | The Very First Apostate | The Truth About Predestination and Sealing

FEEDBACK:

Of Judas and calvinists, Robert Cox writes:

“I want to put this to rest then I’ll be quiet about it bc some of you have been taught wrong and you’ll fight the truth to death. Yes, Judas was saved at one time. Jesus picked him. He performed miracles alongside of the other disciples. He was trusted enough to be the treasurer. Satan entered him at the last supper. He was not predestined to do what he did but God had foreknowledge that he would. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. That’s the example. Not some sinner out in the world that disavows Him.

And one last thing…..Judas could have repented. Peter did and was restored. Judas chose to take his life. He wasn’t sorry that he betrayed Jesus. He was sorry that his plan didn’t work. He felt shame and guilt but he didn’t turn to the only one that can forgive us for that. Feeling sorrow is not the same as being under conviction.

And I ain’t arguing this bc it’s clearly biblical for anyone that wants to see. The rest of you keep believing what you’ve always believed. I ain’t talking to you anyway. Stiff necked people.”

Message Received:

Judas never did repent. His heart was pure evil and this why Satan entered in him.

Reply:

Hi. Well Judas was definitely right with God. He had to be. Jesus would not have otherwise chosen him to the highest office ever in the church and sent him forth to represent Him – to preach and to do His works (Matthew 10:1-8) Yet Judas allowed his heart to be darkened through “the deceitfulness of sin” and so he eventually had “an evil heart of unbelief.” (See Hebrews 3:6, 12-14) It was only then that Satan could enter him. This is the biblical explanation from a full-counsel perspective. The idolatrous calvinist HAS – must of necessity – to scapegoat Judas in order to make his deceitful doctrinal wares fit and palatable.

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Of this post, Nate M. wrote: “This was an awesome study. I am glad I read this because it is such an amazing refutation of calvinism and osas. This just makes it so clear. Great job. I hope many people who are in bondage to the doctrines of calvinism and osas read this and repent of their false doctrine. I pray that they may be set free from the snare of the devil.”

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12 Not 11 It is undeniable that Jesus chose Judas and that Judas was in right relationship with the Son of God, was sent out by Jesus to do His ministry work, and was promised an eternal throne in Heaven. Let’s talk about it. “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.” John 6:70-71 “Have not I chosen you TWELVE” – Did Jesus choose a devil and send him […]

Articles

Mission Mexico Part 52-Pictures, Videos, Testimonies, etc.

RECENTLY brother Mark gave a JESUS tract to many while he was on an evangelistic walk, including a man named Angel. Angel then called brother Juan asking for help. Juan’s email address and phone number are on the back of the JESUS tracts now.

TODAY: Because you cared and prayed and gave, brother Angel received the love of our God in the form of a box of food and some cash ($27 USD). Oh and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts he is excited to pass out.

Juan has been in touch with Angel and here’s what he reported:

“On Saturday, Brother Ángel laid his wife and daughter to rest. They were riding a motorcycle when they were struck by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Although he has managed to provide them with a proper burial, he is now left without food. I am wondering if Brother Mark might be able to offer some support—he has shared his contact details with me, and he is currently unemployed. Perhaps some of the other brothers could reach out to help him; I will share this in the group, and I truly hope he can receive some assistance, as he is going through a very difficult situation. He has heard the Word of God—I shared the message of the Good News of Salvation with him—and he needs to see the love of God manifested through us, brothers.” Juan

Angel texted me this after being blessed by the body of Christ:

“Brother, Thanks so much, brother; this money will help me keep saving up for my rent. I really appreciate it—thank you so, so much. And please know that I’m more than happy to help you out with anything you might need. I’m letting Brother Juan know that I’m going to take the $500 (500 pesos = $27 USD) to the landlord, because he told me that if I didn’t give him something today, he would throw my things out and kick me out today. Thanks, brother. Honestly, if you ever need anything—washing your truck, clearing a piece of land, painting some things, whatever—just let me know, because I need to come up with the full amount for my rent.” Angel

Prayer: Feel free to lift up in prayer brother Angel – for his walk with Christ, his work life, and being able to pay the remainder of his rent. Angel is a typical Mexican man – super hard working. He’s obviously needing new clients.

As you can see, this blessing came right on time. God heard our brother’s cry and used you and I to delivered HIS blessing. As you can see, sounds like Angel would have been homeless tomorrow had God not intervened.

As God would have it, just before finding Angel to deliver the blessings, I met and old man who owns a store. Upon hearing the preaching of our LORD Jesus’ Gospel, the man rejoiced. We fellowshipped briefly, and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts to distribute.

GTR in Mexico!!!

GTR = Gospel Train Rollin

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

Mission Mexico

The weekly fellowship with brother Juan and brother Eduardo has been a blessing. Eduardo is the man who recently began emailing and texting. He said some “America guy” gave him a JESUS tract and it was like a gift from Heaven.

Eduardo is a born again brother in Christ who was much in need of fellowship (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25). This morning, brother Juan, who is super caring in God’s love and pastoral and evangelistic, ministered our LORD’s Word and love to brother Eduardo at length. Even though I can’t understand most of what they are saying in Spanish, there’s no doubt our LORD was edifying His son Eduardo.

Both these men are Spanish speaking. Here’s what Juan said at the end of our fellowship today with our brother Eduardo:

“Brother Eduardo says that he has faced discrimination from his family for becoming a Christian and following Jesus Christ. They have distanced themselves from him, as they prefer to practice a more traditional form of Catholicism—attending Mass and going to confession with a priest. But you know very well that it is God who chooses us, and we shall not be put to shame, because we have chosen the better part by believing in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brother Eduardo says he’s unemployed and asks if you can help him in the group (to find work). He works in agriculture. He needs help with gardening, painting houses, or any other service because he’s unemployed. We need to see if you can support him here in this town.”

After a rich time of fellowship, both men were given coffee and breakfast and a small bit of cash as a way to bless them. Mexicans are very hard workers as you know and yet the economy in Mexico is not what it is in the US.

Thank you for caring for these beloved Mexican people, namely our brothers and sister in Christ.

Mission Mexico

Your prayers for the super receptive people of Mexico are a blessing. God is answering.

Mission Mexico

Lifelong Jewish lady now born again just got water baptized today.

Dear Mr. Augustine readily received the love God via His body (you!), the spoken Word of God, and the original Gospel on the JESUS tract. Your prayers and support make these things possible. Jesus is coming saints – and our hand is on the plow of our LORD Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel, the Great Commission He gave us (Luke 9:62). Everyone’s participation matters, greatly and will be rewarded accordingly (1 Samuel 30:24).

A man named Eduardo was given a JESUS tract today and is emailing me saying that he’s very excited to meet brother Juan, brother Mark, and myself this thursday for breakfast fellowship. God is good.

“If you have any, please let me know—thank you so much! An American man gave this to me on the street; it feels like it fell from the sky! Thank you very much…hugs”

There’s simply no way for us to report on every person who is being touched daily. It’s literally getting out of control. The LORD is marching into the hearts of the Mexican people.

Mission Mexico

“Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! The receptiveness in Mexico is beyond my comprehension! Even to the point of this man saying this gospel feels like it fell from the sky. Well I guess it did. Jesus came from heaven to earth to show us the way and seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Praise God for the many souls who are being reached daily with the gospel of Christ. God is well pleased!” Karen Cochran

PRAYER REQUESTS:

For Juanita and her sons Jesus and Victor. Beloved Juanita pictured below. She brought me into the gate of her house and said “Mi casa es tu casa” = my house is your house. A completely bless-ed lady who readily received the ministry of the Word, the glorious Gospel of Jesus. She may already be saved, I don’t know but she now knows who to repent and receive Jesus if not.

Also Fatima, a young mother with a little girl who receive ministry today.

They just moved here to this town today from CDMX (Mexico City).

Thank you.

God knows.

What to pray?

Colossians 4:12 boom.

In Jesus’ name.

Mission Mexico

“… The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Timothy 6:17

Some of the things one must suffer by going to “third world” Mexico to preach Christ’s original Gospel. Don’t worry, the cost of living here is much lower cost than the US.

Mission Mexico

Immediately upon handing a man the JESUS tract today, he lit up and hugged me. He was so excited because he’s born again and his father and grandfather are pastors. His name is Israel.

We connected and Israel and brother Juan are now connected and communicating. Juan gladly took some JESUS tracts to distribute. Would you like to pause and lift our brother Israel to the LORD in a prayer? (Philippians 1:19)

How do you find the saints in an area you go into? Just evangelize and watch God work.

*Below is a picture of one of the many men who received a JESUS tract this morning.

Mission Mexico

Jesus is coming saints.

Mission Mexico

Breakfast fellowship with the brethren of our LORD …

in “third world” Mexico.

Oh boy if people only knew.

It’s a blessing that with your prayers, love, and financial support, you are declaring that “The People of Mexico Matter for Christ—He died to save them!”

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE SATAN …..

MAKE SURE you do NOT support authentic evangelistic ministries that are literally, actually getting Christ’s Gospel to the lost souls of this world.

The apostle Paul did “the work of an evangelist” and instructed us to do the same.

“Preach the word … But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Our KING is coming saints, King JESUS!

Let’s roll beloved of God!

in Christ

todd

More Mexico Mission Action here.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

Articles

What did the First Missionaries Do/Preach?

Concerning false leaders, Jeremiah pens these words: “they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.” (Jeremiah 23:14)

God counts our sin of spiritual “adultery” as that of “Sodom” and “Gomorrah.” Do we not betray the Most High whom we claim to know and love when we “strengthen also the hands of evildoers?” Aligning with someone or organization that is in error will strengthen their evil cause and the LORD will turn His hand of blessing away from us (2 Chron. 18-19).

Recently I listened to a missionary to Mexico tell about his work down there. Unfortunately, he spoke more than once of Rick Warren (who is in deep deception and was trained under deceiver Robert Schuller) and yet not once did he declare or mention the name of Jesus Christ nor did he speak of the Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God (1 Cor. 15:1-4). So, what is this man doing in Mexico? What are his supporters supporting/furthering? Didn’t Paul say “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ”? (Gal. 6:14) And, that he “determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2) There is “none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

This counterfeit has the wherewithal to proclaim known deceivers and yet not Jesus Christ?!

Not one Scripture was quoted or even referred to by this “missionary” during his hour talk about his family’s work in Mexico. What does this tell us about his work among those people? What is this man importing to Mexico if it’s not the true Gospel?

Important Biblical Discernment Truth: Jesus said that “ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits” and “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 7:16; 12:34). So, by what men say and don’t say, we know (discern) who they really are. Real simple isn’t it?

I hope you know that I am speaking from a place of zeal for the LORD and earnestly contending for the Gospel faith once delivered to His saints (Jude 3-4).

What are we supporting here by sending a man who doesn’t even speak the words of the LORD? Whose cause is he promoting? How could and why would the living God empower a man who doesn’t honor Him and His Word? Where are we putting God’s resources (money)? Will there be any rebuke to this man? Will anyone seek to disciple him? If not, then are we not enabling such dissimulation and promoting “another gospel”? I wonder today how much “missionary” work has to do with the biblical model of making disciples, but is rather establishing the thoughts, philosophies, and curriculums of mere men and teaching people to go through these psycho-babblish programs and learn everything but the pure divine Word (1 Pet. 2:2). When people/victims come out of these programmed classes, one thing is certain – they don’t know the Word of God, so it’s ALL in vain. After all, it seems like the writings of mere men have taken precedence over God’s holy and precious Word in the apostate organized modern church world.

What did the first missionaries do/preach?

“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” (Acts 8:25; 13:5; 14:25; 15:36; Mk. 2:2)

Those who know Christ and are prepared for ministry preach His Word. If they preach ANY ANY “ANY other gospel”, they are “accursed” and to be treated as such by God’s people (Gal. 1:6-9). If a man claims in any capacity to represent Christ and yet doesn’t preach Jesus Christ and His original Gospel, “there is NO light in” that beguiler (Is. 8:20). He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

According to the law of Genesis 1, we can only produce after what we ARE, not what we say or convince others into believing we are. Genesis 1:11 says “the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seedis in itself.” So, whoever I am here, I am in China or Russia or Mexico.

Beloved, what is important is the quality of the seed and the richness of the soil. The Gospel is the riches of God’s love in Jesus Christ, of which Paul was not ashamed because it is “the power of God unto salvation” unto those who were given it and believed (Rom. 1:16). Where the Gospel is honored fully, the soil is rich. If a person has not been faithful in his own nation in the true Gospel of Jesus, he is not fit to win the lost in another country and should never be sent or supported. If this missionary was not soundly grounded in God’s Word before he left to go to Mexico, then why did God’s people ever send him? Does a person become a missionary when his feet hit foreign soil? Of course not. And, remember, Jesus loves and seeks to save the people on American soil as much as He loves people on Indian, Africa, Mexican, and Chinese soil. In light of this, I don’t think we should entertain the idea that when we give to foreign missions, there is any difference than giving to Gospel workers here in America.

Isaiah was Prepared, Commissioned, and Sent by God. See Isaiah 6.

So, when we fund missionaries who do not possess the Word, or the Word doesn’t possess them, we are funding the spread of a false gospel (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly).” (Col. 3:16)

In the midst of citing the evil of the false shepherds of Israel, Jeremiah the prophet introduces a rhetorical question which is actually an identifier of true and false servants:

“For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” Jeremiah 23:18

Those who stand in the counsel of the LORD (not men) and perceive and hear His Word, marking it and hearing it again and again, are true. All others are false and will inevitably peddle a false message.

When speaking of leadership in the body of Christ, the Scriptures instruct us to “know them which labour among you.” (1 Thess. 5:21) Concerning the ordaining of men into ministry, the LORD tells us“Lay hands (ordain into ministry) suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) When we ordain or set forth and condone any man before we really know his life and doctrine, we will inevitably “be partaker of other men’s sin.” In other words, we will be equally to blame for the sin and error that man promotes and for all the people he misleads. We are mandated to “keep thyself pure” of this wickedness. This is a very serious issue. The support, promotion, condoning, or aligning with any person in ministry that is preaching “another gospel” brings a curse upon ourselves as we enjoin him in sin against God and the spreading of a false gospel (Is. 5:20-24; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Chron. 19:2). We are commanded to withhold blessing from him lest we become “partaker of his evil deeds.”

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10-11

Bidding “God speed” is pronouncing an approval blessing upon a person or ministry. If such is done to any person who is not communicating the original gospel, it is “another gospel” and it is a deadly sin to condone –“bid him God speed.” Any person who does such “is partaker of his evil deeds.” This means that those who support in any way any person or ministry organization that does not definitively and forthrightly declare the original Gospel, are counted just as guilty as the peddler himself. Anyone who does not bring the biblical doctrine of Jesus Christ who is divine and came in the flesh, is “a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 Jn. 7) All such counterfeit ministers are false and to be shunned and not blessed or promoted or esteemed among God’s people – “Keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) Anyone among God’s people who helps the person not bringing the true Gospel – bids them God speed – and is “partaker of his evil deeds.” In other words, he will reap the same punishment as the man peddling another gospel other than that which Christ and His apostles gave us in the New Testament record.

We will be held responsible for supporting any person who is spreading lies and weakening the people through falsehoods and promoting false prophets. When we financially or otherwise support a ministry which is not according the New Testament record, we become “partaker of other men’s sins.” (1 Tim. 5:22)

When we set forth any person who is not called, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and prepared in the Word and the crucified life, we launch evil upon everyone that “novice” influences. We also harm the unprepared man greatly and most importantly, we bring disdain to the name of Jesus Christ. God grant us wisdom from His Word and forgive our sins! Concerning the launching of people into ministry, the Holy Spirit directs: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Tim. 3:6)

Don’t you know that the enemy laughs all the way to the bank when God’s true people cast their revenues into the coffers of those who are not preaching the true Gospel? Do we want to fund wolves in sheep’s clothing? Who shall we fear? See Galatians 1:6-10

CREDENTIALS FOR MINISTRY

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions…” 2 Timothy 3:10-11

God’s Fruit according to 2 Timothy 3:10: Here are 9 earmarks of an authentic servant of Christ who would be prepared to serve in ministry:

doctrine
manner of life
purpose
faith
longsuffering
charity
patience
persecutions
afflictions

The fruit identifies the root (Jn. 15; Rom. 11:16). When a man is relationally and biblically rooted in and abiding in Jesus Christ, his fruit will among other things be that of truth, love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), evangelism, charitable deeds, the care of souls, and the love of children. If a man’s life is not pure and he is not seeking the LORD diligently and daily in repentance and brokenness, he simply does not yet have the fruit of one who is to be set forth into ministry. Let’s walk in God’s written wisdom (His Word) and cease to enable any ministry that is not soundly rooted and grounded in God’s Word and love and purposes as revealed clearly in the Holy Scriptures.

“Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

Have we magnified His Word above all else? Or something else above His Word? Have we magnified HIS Word above the names of all sinful men and their inferior writings? Or, are we despising the Almighty LORD Jesus Christ by elevating the words of mere men?

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

Do we search out and find His Words and eat/devour them like a hungry man who hasn’t eaten in days?

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Do we rejoice at men’s words or at God’s Word?

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Psalms 119:62

Are we daily eating and allowing His Word to be our life?

“It is written, That man shall not live (have God’s life) by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

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Isaiah's Call and Commission [podcast]

What did the LORD reveal of Himself to Isaiah? What was the result in Isaiah’s life and ours? When the LORD appeared to him, the prophet Isaiah was shown his own depravity, his own wicked heart, his own unpreparedness. What was his response and how does this relate to us? Are you ready this day to say “Jesus please prepare and use me mightily for Your eternal glory! I love You LORD. I am all Yours! Please do Your deeper work in this life You gave!”? One must be prepared by God to be used by God. “If a man therefore […]

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“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 “The Word of God, like rain and snow that water the earth and cause it to produce fruit, will be sown in the hearts of men and produce fruit in the moral world (Isa_55:11; Deu_32:2). As the rain and snow fall on various kinds of ground, so does the Word of God (Mat_13:3-8, Mat_13:20-23). Like rain and snow, it will accomplish its […]

The Joy of Soul Winning [podcast]

Articles

What about Suicide – Self Murder?

Does Someone Who Commits Suicide (murders self), Go to Heaven or Hell?

IT’S REAL SIMPLE:

1. WHO is the Judge? God! (James 4:12)

2. Has the Judge spoken? Do we have a Bible which is His tangible written Word? Is the Bible God’s very Word? YES! – and so we have His very Word which He has lifted even above His own Holy name! (Psalms 138:2)

Some crassly set aside God’s very Word, as if He is silent on this matter. That’s ridiculous at best.

Playing dumb seems to be the mode of many, but the LORD is “not the author of confusion.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

At the funerals of those who kill/murder themselves, false preachers intimate and blatantly say that the dead person who committed suicide is now “in a better place.” By doing this, these wolves embolden members of the listening audience to kill themselves also, all the while not realizing they are in for the most excruciating pain unknown to man on earth. “Ending it all” is a foolish lie. The worst thing any person in history has ever suffered is a dream of comfort compared to what lies ahead for those who die without a personal, born again relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh, and the lake of fire will never end, nor will consciousness (Mark 9:42-49). See Hell’s Menu here.

Some will say “But God knows the heart, we don’t.” God sure does know the heart and Jesus told us that all sin – sin separates us from Him and will damn us – comes from the HEART. “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, MURDERS, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23

When the LORD looks on a heart of murder, what will He do? Rev. 21:8; 1 John 3:15

“NO MURDERER hath eternal life abiding (remaining) in him.” 1 John 3:15

How impugning to the LORD it must be when those claiming to be saved ignore, and brazenly disregard Him by denying His Word and what He plainly stated. What did Jesus say about these are ashamed of Him and His Word? See Mark 8:38 and John 8:47.

There’s a deeper root in the lives of those who can’t simply read God’s very words and take Him at His Word. Damnable unbelief is the root (Revelation 21:8). Repentance is necessary.

According to Revelation 21:7-8, one of the things that must be overcome is murder and that doesn’t matter if it’s killing self or someone else.

Not wanting to live is the symptom of separation from God. Those who turn to the LORD are saved and blessed to have in their hearts His blessed victory and “Love, joy, peace …”(Galatians 5:22-23) Suicide is never the answer and will result in the beginning of an eternity in more pain than any of us could ever imagine. Getting saved is the answer, not killing yourself. Keep reading friend. You are not reading this by accident and your answer is at hand!

THE JUDGE HAS SPOKEN AND HERE’S WHAT HE SAID:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and MURDERERS, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

“NO MURDERER HATH ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING (REMAINING) IN HIM.” 1 John 3:14-15

What could possibly be plainer?

The truth is self-evident. The Bible is self-interpreting. The problem is with the corruption of calvinism in the minds of many who make their evil traditions more important the God Himself (Mark 7:6-9).

It should deeply anger us to see ourselves or others who deny the LORD by denying His very Word. Instead, they philosophy, reason, and justify. This is what God calls “an EVIL heart of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:12)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, MURDERS, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:22-23

The world acts like depression justifies murdering self. Not. Depression can be a reality for good and bad reasons and yet murdering God’s creation is never the answer and is always a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 3:15; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Suicide is sin. Suicide will damn the soul irrevocably in hell.

MURDER is a soul damning sin and it doesn’t matter if you are murdering someone else or yourself – because GOD made you. You didn’t make yourself. HE is to decide when you are to leave this His earth. Hell awaits all who commit suicide.

What about capitol punishment – the death penalty?

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:6

“The institution of capital punishment presupposes the establishment of governmental authority. It would be chaos if anyone and everyone avenged a murder. Only duly appointed governments may do so. The NT perpetuates capital punishment when it says concerning the government, “. . . he does not bear the sword in vain” (Rom_13:4).” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Intriguing Suicide Dialogue/Feedback:

“I was gonna commit suicide almost 3 yrs ago. However, GOD stopped me from doing it. I knew that I was going to spend forever in eternal darkness. It was the Holy Spirit who stopped me.” Harry S.

Email Rec’d:

Hi Todd,
I have a question for you in regard to what the Word say about suicide. What about the person who is trusting in Jesus as their Savior, but continues to struggle and be tormented by demons who play on their deep depression … resulting in suicide? I had a friend who committed suicide. It was her 2nd attempt that did her in. She was digging deep into God’s word and really growing in the word, yet she struggled with a debilitating depression that only her husband and family knew the depth of. I witnessed her desire to push through and LIVE…but in small moment of weakness she succumbed to other voices and shot herself through the head. It was a difficult thing to grasp, as she was an incredible grandmother and friend to the down and out. She had the gift of easing others burdens by being a joyous giver. She was purposely dragging herself out of her bed and attending bible studies, Sundays and Wed. to get God’s word into her. She considered God’s word her medicine. I watched her make a valiant effort over the years to live and to honor God…so naturally I wonder about this. Isn’t it possible that for whatever reasons that demons can just overcome a mind in a moment of weakness and push them over that line? The thing I wonder about is God’s mercy and grace in such a case. I can just imagine her crying out to Jesus before she pulled the trigger. She was mentally ill and her Godly family did everything possible to help her. I see what God’s word says and I wholly agree that suicide is wrong and so much easier for the unsaved to get to that point. But what about this sister in Christ? I see some gray areas in this scenario.

Naturally I hope she’s with the Lord….but I really do not know

Janet

Response:

Hi Janet.

One of my good friends, once a vibrant and fruitful believer, also committed the sin of murdering himself (suicide). Think about and mediate upon this:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

I believe that if a person is that deeply depressed and defeated it seems that that’s evidence that they were not trusting Christ who is the life and holds all victory in His hands and grants it to all who truly are trusting and walking with Him (1 John 5:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:57). From Scripture we see many examples of small moments of weaknesses resulting in eternal ruin because that small moment of weakness was the culmination of a life that was seemingly seeking the LORD but full of the mixture of rebellion. Judas had obviously been departing from Christ long before he made that final, fatal decision to betray the very Son of God. – “Judas by transgression (act of sin) fell, that he might go to his own place (eternal hell).” (Acts 1:25) Judas was a “familiar friend” of Jesus, clearly a child of God – chosen to occupy an eternal place with Christ (Ps. 41:8; Matthew 19:28).

I know this sounds very harsh and yet, I must answer according to the Word of God best I see it to date. Christ grants total victory and as we are seeking His holy face and abiding in Him. As we do, we are delivered from sin and devils (John 15:1-6; James 4:7; 1 John 3:5-6, 8; Rev. 12:11). Christ is synonymous with victory. Yes, we have all failed and sinned in our weaknesses and yet there are absolutes in God’s economy and one of them is “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

Now, if a person is in the process of committing suicide and it’s not a sudden death and they are able to call upon the LORD in repentance on their way out of here, then I fully believe Jesus will save them as He did the thief on the cross who called upon Him.

God’s blessings be with your family sister.

Todd

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