Thursday | 21 March 2019
Judas had a name as son of God, which the Father had prepared for him before the heavens and earth were created. In line with his name, Judas was predestined to sit on one of twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Mat 19:28-29. However, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus prayed, ‘Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.’ Joh 17:12.
The Scriptures that Jesus was referring to were the prophetic psalms, which were both songs and prayers. For example, prophetic of Christ’s betrayal, King David wrote, ‘But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng. Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.’ Psa 55:13-15. Through this prayer of Jesus, the sword of the Lord was being wielded against Judas. From this point, there was no avenue for his recovery. The prophetic word concerning the sin of his betrayal, and his condemnation, was being made sure.
Many people erroneously believe that because Judas’ betrayal and death was written in the Scriptures, that he was predestined to damnation. Act 1:20. Psa 69:25. Psa 109:8. However, this is not true. As we have already considered, Judas had a sonship destiny which was also written in the Scriptures. However, because he rejected the goad which called him to eat Christ’s flesh and drink His blood, he was progressively taken, snared, and then appointed to his own place by the sword of the word.
The implication of Judas’ experience is that the Scriptures declare two destinies for every person – their name as a son of God, and their destruction as a transgressor. The word of the Lord makes either one of these prophetic destinies ‘more sure’ on the basis of how we respond to the word of the cross.
Further Study:
Psalm 109
Daily Proverb:
References:
Mat 19:28-29
And Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.’
Joh 17:12
While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
Act 1:19-20
And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood. For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate’, and ‘let no one live in it'; and, ‘let another take his office’.
Psa 69:25
Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents.
Psa 109:8
Let his days be few, and let another take his office.