The Story of Judas

In yesterday's web log, I mentioned that I have a supply of Potassium Iodate that you may purchase for $15 per bottle, plus $5 per order for postage. I failed to mention how to pay for it, and so we had a number of inquiries in that regard.

You can either send a check to the address given at the end of the web log and ask for however many bottles you want us to send; or you can email me at the email address given, and then use PayPal to send payment. The best way to handle the PayPal method is to click on the "Make a Donation" button. It is located at the bottom left of the front page.

I'm already running short on my small supply of Potassium Iodate, but we will be getting more next week. So be patient if you don't get it right away. Normally, we try to send out orders the same day they come in.

Okay, so much for business.

Because I brought up the subject of "Judas" in the last web log, I thought perhaps I should explain this a bit further for those of you who have not read chapter 6 of my book, The Struggle for the Birthright .  You can get the full story there, but let me summarize it for you now.

It is well known that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, at which time Jesus called him "friend" (Matt. 26:50). Judas Iscariot is the Greek form of Judah, Ish-Kerioth (Man of Keriath). It means that Judas was from the town of Keriath-Arba, the ancient name for Hebron. Joshua 14:15 says, "Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba."

In other words, Judas was from the town of Hebron. Hebron means "friendship." Thus, Jesus called Judas "friend," because Zech. 13:6 prophesies of Jesus, saying,

"And one will say to him, What are these wounds in your hands? Then he will say, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my FRIENDS."

Hebron was the place where King David had been betrayed by his own counselor and friend. His name was Ahithophel, and the story is recorded in 2 Samuel 15. David's son, Absalom, led a revolt against his father and actually succeeded usurping the throne of David in Jerusalem. Verse 10 says,

"But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron."

Verse 12 continues,

"And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom."

Athithophel later committed suicide by hanging himself, as we read in 2 Samuel 17:23,

"Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father."

The point of this is to say that this whole story of Absalom's revolt wrote the script for Jesus and the chief priests of His day. Jesus played the part of David. The chief priests played the part of Absalom who usurped the throne (Matt. 21:38). And last but not least, Judas played the part of Ahithophel.

Thus, David wrote about his friend, Ahithophel, many times in the Psalms. For example, Psalm 41:9 says,

"Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."

Jesus quoted this verse in John 13:18, applying it to Judas:

"I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen, but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me."

In other words, Jesus recognized that Judas was playing the part of Ahithophel, and that this was necessary to fulfill the Scriptures. Jesus chose him and even loved Judas. I believe that Judas really WAS Jesus' friend, and that is what makes the betrayal so real. One can be opposed by an enemy, but one can only be betrayed by a friend. Jesus befriended him, knowing full well what he would do.

And so Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. When he realized that Jesus was NOT going to come off the cross, do a great miracle, and impress the people with His great power and glory, he went and hanged himself (Matt. 27:5). Just like Ahithophel.

Weeks later, as the disciples were awaiting the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and said in Acts 1:16-20,

"Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us, and received his portion in this ministry. . . . For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no man dwell in it;' and 'his office let another man take'."

This is quoted from Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8. It was written about Ahithophel, but Peter recognized that David was prophesying about Judas. Thus it was that they drew lots to see who would replace Judas.

All of these prophetic events in the life of David were fulfilled in the story of Jesus in the time of His betrayal and crucifixion.

But there are two comings of Christ--not just one. He came the first time to establish His throne rights, since He came of the tribe of Judah and of the lineage of King David. The chief priests usurped His throne, even as Absalom had usurped David's throne 1000 years earlier. But even as David later returned to reclaim His throne, so also will Jesus Christ return to re-claim His throne and overthrow the usurpers.

If you read the story, you will find that Ahithophel was not the only casualty. Absalom himself was killed in the final battle. What does this prophesy about those who usurped the throne of Jesus Christ? It speaks of the destruction of the Israeli nation.

In the second coming of Christ, Jesus is NOT coming of the tribe of Judah. He is primarily coming to fulfill the role of JOSEPH. Revelation 19:13 says that He comes with his robe dipped in blood. Joseph's robe was dipped in blood (Gen. 37:21). In that story, Joseph was betrayed by his brother JUDAH (or Judas), whose idea it was to sell him as a slave to Egypt (Gen. 37:26, 27).

Joseph was the birthright holder (1 Chron. 5:1, 2). In the past century, the same people who usurped Jesus' throne rights have now usurped His birthright as well--along with the birthright name of "Israel." And this time around, it has been the Church (Jesus' disciple) that betrayed Him in this matter.

It is all a fascinating story. It all happened in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled--AGAIN. The good news is that Christian Zionism's betrayal has taken place over many decades, and this has allowed individual Christians to get off the Judas bandwagon and switch their allegiance to Jesus. Those who believe these things have opportunity to become Peters and Jameses and Johns, rather than Judases.

This is why I write these things. It is not to beat the Church over the head. It is to warn people and teach the Scriptures, so that they may get out of the body of Judas before he "hangs himself" in horror for what he has done.

What should a person do, then? Believe the Scriptures. I am not pulling these ideas out of thin air. They are all written plainly for all to see. Study the story of Absalom and Ahithophel. Once you make its connection to the New Testament story, everything becomes clear. Once you see it, you cannot unlearn it, because your eyes have been opened. You will never be the same again. I know the power of the Word and how it can change one's entire life. I too am a product of the Word.