John 13:27
"And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then
said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."
Today, I'd like to give a message entitled "The Betrayal of Judas." When we read theGospels, we find the betrayal of Judas written in it a number of times. Some of twelve disciples only have their names recorded in the Bible and hardly any other information concerning the. So, we do not know what they actualy did. But, when it comes to the betrayal of Jesus, the scripture refers to it many times. So, people of other religions may ask, "Why was Christ betrayed by this disciple in the first place?" It is hard for non christians to accept because it seems counterproductive to record a betrayal of Jesus which lowers his status in their eyes and brings him dishonor. It doesn't seem very profitable for the Christian faith.
In addition, some scriptures in the old testament prophetise about this betrayal. Because of this prophecy we can suppose this betrayal is "necessary" in the life of Christ. In fact, many things happened in the life of Jesus for the purpose of warning. Therefore, there is the possibility that the Holy spirit is speaking to us through this infamous story of treachery by Judas. If he is, what might he be saying?
The Lord chose twelve disciples at the first stage of his public life. When we read the Bible, we know that his twelve disciples have a special position before God. For example, their names are written in Revelation with reference to the new Jerusalem. But, I have one question. Why has Jesus chosen Judas as one of his disciples? Scripture says that Jesus knew ahead of time who would betray him. Why would Jesus choose a man as one of his twelve disciples who would betray him later? This is very mysterious. If Jesus really foreknew his betrayal in advance, it would seem better had he chosen someone else who might never have betrayed him. But, when we read the Bible carefully, we know this betrayal is already prophetised in the old testament. The old testament says he will be betrayed by his friend, sold with twenty silver coins.
This betrayal is essential in Jesus life and God's will could not have been done without this betrayal. But, why did Jesus have to be betrayed by a friend? Was it because his death on the cross could not be fulfilled without his betrayal? If we read the Bible we could not say so. Actually, the high priest and scribes sought to kill Jesus. They seek for an opportunity and find it in the betrayal of Judas who really help their cause. But, we could not say that they would have been unable to arrest Jesus without Judas' betrayal. They could have made the arrest without Judas.
But, the scriptures described this betrayal hundreds of years ago before it ever happened, and so Judas fulfilled it as as per the description of scripture. In a real sense this betrayal is accomplished within the will of God. Why did God will it that way? I think this betrayal is a typology of a much bigger betrayal to occur in the end time. This figurative betrayal of Judas will be accomplished on a much more larger size in the end time.
The name of the disciple who betrays Jesus is Judas. Through this name, God tells us something. Because every word of scripture is inspired by God. In the Bible, he talks through the names of person on so many occasions. For example, there is a disciple named Simon Peter. He is the leader of the disciples. His name is not given by accident; instead, it is given with God's intention. Simon means "to hear." So, the most important condition of a disciple of the Lord is "to hear" from the Lord. Peter means "rock." So, a disciple is firm like a rock and not like "the people" who are typified as sand. We can understand what God says about discipleship through these names. That is to say, God is telling us that a disciple has to hear from Lord and be firm like a rock.
By the way, if we look in the old testament, we can see that this name Judas is the same name of the famous Israelite tribe of Judah. The nation of Israel starts from king Saul in one sense, but the chosen lineage of the monarchy actually starts with David. The country of God, Israel, receives great blessing under the great kings David and Solomon. But, the kingdom was divided under the next king after Solomon, a son of Solomon. That is to say, the kingdom was divided into the ten tribes of Israel and the two tribes of Judas/Judah. What is special about these ten tribes is that they have no blood line to David. Their first king is Jeroboam, a subordinate of Solomon, and the kings to follow him had no blood relation to David. Therefore, David is a model of Christ. If we consider the spiritual meaning of this fact, it may point to a king and his people with no true relationship to Christ. They have the name of Israel, their number is many, but their tie to Christ is weak.
But, it is different on Judah. It is written that:
Genesis 49:10 "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. "
When we look at the history of Judah, we can find one thing. That is to say, the bloodline of kind David continues until the very last king of Judah. Royalty is passed on from one king to another, whether son or brother. And the blood of David continues to the last king of Judah. This does not occur by mere chance. There is something God wants to say to us through this fact. What is the spiritual meaning of this fact? This may be the figure of the people who have a blood relationship to Christ and his brothers.
Hebrew 2: 11 "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."
They are the minority among God's people and do not inherit the name, Israel. Therefore, if Judah is a figure of the present people of God, it does not represent the majority but us Christians today who are in the minority. For, these are obedient to God's will.
After time passes, Israel continued in unbelief and was forcefully transferred to Assyria. Later, the tribe of Judah would also be removed to Babylon because of their unbelief. And when they were removed to Babylon, the kingdom of Judah was finished.
Jeremiah 3:10 "And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD."
In this scripture, we have written the expression "treacherous sister Judah." It is a similar expression to Judas, the betrayer among the twelve. The old testament talks about the treachery of the beloved tribe Judah. The new testament records Judas' betrayal. He is one of the inner circle of special disciples, one of the twelve.
Since the scriptures say the Bible was written for our own present age as well, I would find a warning for us, especially we Christians here at the end times. I think this may suggest the betrayal of God by his most beloved people during the end time. It is meaningful for us that this account was recorded in scripture and helpful for us to read it continuously in this dark age. This is a foreshadowing and a model of the great betrayal to come.
The most beloved tribe Judah betrayed God in the old testament time. Judas, (in the new testament Judas corresponds to the same name Judah in old testament), was one of the most beloved disciples, one of the 12 disciples but he betrayed Jesus.
A similar scenario will be played out in the end time and will happen again on a larger scale.
John 13:18 "I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."
This word may prophesy the betrayal to come in the church in end time. It is written, "He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." So, there may occur a betrayal among the brothers who have holy communion partaking of the cup and the bread with us. As Jesus was killed because of Judas' betrayal, so likewise will some brothers be killed because of another great betrayal. Therefore, there will surely occur a betrayal against God and Jesus by the brothers in the church who seem closest to God. And they will worship the antichrist. Of course, not every member of the house of God will betray God or his brothers in Christ. The Bible has prophecied in this regard. Not all of the twelve would be like Judas Iscariot. But, there would be this one disciple Judas who would be a traitor. At the same time, there will also be disciples who will never betray the faith. The Bible talks about it beforehand.
Let's do the will of Lord in the end time end.