Matthew 26:29 I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine with [ELEVEN of] you in my Father's kingdom. Luke 22:30: You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to rule over the twelve [sorry, make that ELEVEN] tribes of Israel.

Reading the Gospels in this way is the only way to support theories that:

1. People who take their own lives are condemned to eternal damnation.

2. The man who betrayed Jesus is in hell.

3. Thieves are denied entry privileges to paradise.

Setting the Parameters.

Some people would suggest that Judas Iscariot had three major demerits against his passage through the pearly gates. He stole. He betrayed Jesus. He died by his own hand. It is generally understood that repentance for theft would grant admission to heaven as shown by Jesus's promise of paradise to the thief who was crucified beside him. For his betrayal and suicide, many would say, Judas has been rotting in hell for the past 2000 years.

2000 Years of Notoriety.

Many Christian attitudes have been based on Judas's perfidy. Over the centuries his name has become a byword, the whispered epitome of betrayal. Judas is evil incarnate! How on earth was he chosen to be a disciple of Jesus? Who in heaven made this "son of perdition" one of the twelve? Did Judas lie on his resume when he applied for the position? Was Jesus ignorant of his past when he appointed Judas as one of his disciples? More importantly, did Jesus have knowledge of Judas's future betrayal and still chose him regardless?

The Selection Process.

Under what circumstances were the twelve disciples chosen? Were there only twelve applicants for the job? The author of the book of Luke records in Chapter 6 that Jesus climbed a mountain to talk to God and continued to pray through the night. When the new day dawned he called all his disciples before him and chose twelve from among them. Did Jesus's night of prayer culminate in apostolic choices that were in accordance with God's directions?

When the earlier accounts of Matthew and Luke are read without explanatory assistance, they point to the inclusion and election of Judas in the Messianic promise. Historical misinterpretation may have reached a verdict of guilt against Judas. The words of Jesus testify that HE did not condemn Judas. The scribes who recorded these words also did not issue a judgment, translation or commentary.

Did Jesus Make a Mistake?

When Jesus predicted a reunion with his twelve disciples in heaven, he made no exceptions of anyone in the room. His promise was unconditional and inclusive of all the passover celebrants. Judas was still present. He did not leave until some time later in the evening. No amount of theological acrobatics or numeric juggling changes the words of Jesus nor their meaning.

The Words of Jesus According to Matthew:

Judas was promised a place in the Father's kingdom. He is sitting at Jesus' table when he eats and drinks. Judas has a governing position in the kingdom where he rules from a throne that could have been crafted by a carpenter he once knew.

Learn more about this author, Elisabeth Mcgrath.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Did Judas Iscariot go to heaven or hell?
We want to hear your view. Write now!