The Attempts to Justify The Sin of Judas

The Attempts to Justify

The Sin of Judas

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to refute the most recent abominable attack on Christianity: the alleged salvation of Judas Iscariot, and its nefarious consequences.

INTRODUCTION

We have heard every groundless allegation about Jesus so far: A gay (1) Jesus; a Jesus married to Mary Magdalene with offspring still running around today; a Jesus Who really was not crucified, thus not resurrected; a Jesus Who did not resurrect at all - it was all a bait-and-switch operation; and a Jesus that never existed in history. Thus now, the logical step for the enemies of true Christianity is to glorify Judas.

As it is customary (2), rivers of ink and untold gigabytes have been used to defend the "honor" of the Opus Dei from the alleged (3) Da Vinci Code slander, but when it comes to defending the true Faith we seem to be the proverbial "Lone Ranger" - and for that, we are humbled and unceasingly Praise God for the privilege.

BACKGROUND

As of late, the printed and electronic press (4) has been buzzing about the upcoming publication of the "Gospel of Judas" as well as his possible restoration to Divine Grace. An atmosphere of "let bygones be bygones" and "no matter what, everyone is automatically forgiven for anything and everything" seems to be enveloping the Earth.

Although this developing scenario appears to be just a another random theological development (5) with intent of profit, it is not. This time, anyway, financial gain is not the ultimate intent. But this redemption-of-Judas effort is not new.

On February 16th, by a clear act of Divine Providence, miguel de Portugal came across (6) a movie, in DVD, titled JUDAS, copyrighted in 2001 and which premiered on ABC TV in 2004. Five years after its first release, the film has not been yet relegated to the "final closeout" bin of a discount store. No; the DVD, with two soundtracks - English and Italian - and with the choice of subtitles in Portuguese, Check, Dutch, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Greek and English for the deaf, is available for the outrageous price of 24.00 US Dollars (outrageous in a country where the minimum wage is about 2.50 US Dollars an hour) (7).

But why market that movie now? You may guess it when we give you a bird's eye view of the film:

In the film...

1. Judas was traumatized by his own father's crucifixion.

2. He is portrayed as a suffering hero from the beginning to end. His mother gets the same sympathetic treatment.

3. He "mistakenly" betrayed Jesus.

4. When he realized the "mistake" he comes seeking the help of the other Apostles and disciples to try to save Jesus. In a heart wrenching scene where the viewer is sure to be moved to compassion, they will not even open the door to him.

5. Rejected and in despair he runs away and hangs himself - a scene accompanied by the suitable flashback of scenes and words when Jesus originally invites Judas to follow Him, promising Judas life in Eternity with Him. This leaves the viewer with the impression that Judas will get to paradise before the good thief does. [Luke 23: 39-43]

6. Judas is then given proper and prayerful burial by the other Apostles.

DETAILS

What does the Bible says about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus

Jesus speaks about the future of the betrayer

John 17

11 And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled. 13 And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil.

Matthew 26

21 And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me. 22 And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord? 23 But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. 24 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born. 25 And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.

Mark 14

21 And the Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.

Luke 22

21 But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.

Judas actions after the betrayal

Matthew 27

3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, 4 Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it. 5 And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter.

Commentary About the Biblical Texts

It is quite clear what Jesus said about the fate of the man - Judas Iscariot - who would betray Him. We cannot ascribe such harsh and clear statements to mistranslation, misinterpretation or text manipulation. (8)

Regarding Judas actions after the betrayal - They certainly agree with the prophecies of Jesus regarding he who was going to betray Him. In reality - Jesus was so clear about the fate of "that man by whom he shall be betrayed" that we only needed Matthew's text for the purpose of confirming the prophecy of Zecharias [Zec. 11:12] regarding the thirty pieces of silver.

The Theology of the betrayal of Jesus

Amazingly enough, it is quite simple. As we pointed out above, Jesus left no room for doubt as to the fate of Judas, i.e. "but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born." (Remember - Jesus came from Eternity where everything in Time (9) has already been completed; therefore He knows Judas' fate.)

The logic the enemies of God are using now to glorify Judas is that, if Jesus is Mercy and He came to save sinners, how would He not be merciful with Judas; after all, "thanks to Judas" humanity was saved. "Is He going to punish this instrument of salvation? After all, Peter denied Him three times and yet he was made the First Amongst Equals." the enemies of God will ask.

Borrowing our Lord and Master's words, miguel de Portugal asks today's chief priests, pharisees and scribes and their equivalents and their blind followers: "O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?" [Matthew 17:16]

First - In Matthew 27:3 we read that Judas "...repenting himself he..."...

First of all, the correct translation is "...full of remorse he..."

Judas may have been full of remorse and, even if you will, repented himself, but he committed suicide because he despaired, thus, did not believe that he could be forgiven even after all the examples Jesus had given him of His Mercy

"And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee [witnessed by thee], had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." [Matthew 11:23-24]

A Very Important Note:

That is basically the scene each one of us will have in the Final Judgment. Jesus does not send anyone to hell - Love Itself cannot do that. The individual being judged, not trusting in the Mercy of God, is convinced by satan that he/she is unforgivable and freely chooses hell because he/she believes that it is what is deserved. Why does the faithful think we keep asking Mary: "...pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death." Not "before the hour", not "after the hour" but "at the hour"? We pray thus so that with the help of Mary satan cannot convince us to choose hell. Actually, a more mystically correct prayer would be "...pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our judgment."

Secondly - God did not cause Judas to sin so that He could save humanity. "The end justify the means" is not part of God's methodology even though it is the "Creed" for many leaders of organized religion and the "Foundation Stone" to some of the sects within the Roman Church.

God allowed the free will of Judas to act in the manner which led to the betrayal of Jesus and the redemption of mankind. God did not cause it; He could have stopped it. But, by not stopping the crucifixion of His only Son, God (and only God!) gave the opportunity of salvation to mankind.

If there is one human that we need to be thankful to in this context it would be Abraham [Genesis 22]. Through his selfless abandon to the Will of God and his complete faith in Him, he fulfilled the Divine requirement set before God would offer His own and only Son in sacrifice for all of humanity.

CONCLUSION

The reason for this "Save Judas" campaign is very simple: Those who have been justifying their nefarious actions for centuries in the Name of God (10) using their "The end justify the means" principle, are "greasing the wheels" for their behavior as some of them plan to stage the manifestation of the False Christ (11), while, at the same time, the others exonerate themselves for their past behavior (12) which, not even Jesus would forgive. We remind you:

But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Matthew 18:6]

Unrepentant scandalization of the innocent (13) - the specialty of far too many organized religion leaders!

The consequences would be atrocious:

(a) The Gospels would be "proven" so wrong that they would become of no use as the guiding light to the steps of humanity; and

(b) Humanity will be counting on an "automatic salvation process" - regardless of their actions and their degree of repentance. This "automatic salvation process" does not exist; the souls entrapped by this snare will experience untold suffering as the result of having accepted this illusion.

EPILOGUE

Once again, Divine Providence intervenes to provide additional confirmation. After the final draft of this document was finished on February 27 another film found its way to miguel de Portugal's hands. This one is part of a Planet Agostini series about Great Mysteries of History - its title: "Who is responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus" - Copyright 2004.

Recognizing Divine Providence, miguel viewed the documentary film before the text of this document was completed and the Divine intervention he suspected was confirmed.

Summarizing it: The only three "suspects" in this mystery are Caiaphas, Pontius Pilate and Jesus. Judas' name is only mentioned twice in the entire film.

In this film the viewer is led to believe that Judas acted because Jesus told him to do so at the Last Supper: "And Jesus said to him: That which thou dost, do quickly." [John 13:27]

Thus, in no way Judas is presented as responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.

Another mere random coincidence? Only for those who do not have Eyes to See (14).

NOTES

(1) Not homosexual, but "gay"

(2) Letter to VISÃO : Opus Dei defends itself and not God nor Christianity nor the Catholic Faith

(3) The Naked Truth about Opus Dei

(4) A sample of said Press Coverage

(5) The true Da Vinci Code

(6) On a shopping trip with no known objective 250 km from current home base

(7) Obviously the target customer is not your average cannot-make-it-to-the-end-of-the-month citizen, but your noveau affluent Portuguese yuppie seeking for ways to justify the ditching of the traditional and greatly misunderstood Christian "yoke".

(8) Biblical Literalism and The Original Greek Texts

(9) Time and Eternity - A Clarification

(10) The Return to "Christendom" : The State and Church Alliance - A False Hope for the Faithful

(11) The true Ecclesiastic Masonry and their ultimate plan

(12) Unacceptable and despicable behavior by past Religious Leaders

(13) Sexual Abuse and Its Consequences

(14) Who are those who have Eyes to See and Ears to Hear?

The Sin of Judas

Part 1 (this document): The Attempts to Justify The Sin of Judas

Part 2: Nine Points on The Gospel of Judas

Appendix: Press About the Rehabilitation of Judas