There is not one promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. True or False? Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day. http://ping.fm/YcTsl

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-1-2012

Question: Was Judas saved before he was lost? Yes or No?

Answer: NO! There is not the slightest suggestion in any part of the Scripture that Judas was a saved man. In fact, the very contrary is taught. Now, out of the 734 responses we received to this question, 78.6% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

Was Judas Saved Before He Was Lost?

The question has often been asked, “did God predestinate the fate of Judas?” If by this we mean “did God arbitrarily foreordain that Judas could not believe and be saved”, we are sure that no one who knows the God of the Bible would believe in such predestination. We do believe the statement of Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

This question has been asked because of the words of Christ in John 17:12, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the SON OF PERDITION (Where else is this phrase found in the Bible); that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

A few preachers have coupled this Scripture with Romans 9:15 and Romans 9:21-23 to prove that the fate of Judas was foreordained. We quote the verses in Romans 9, “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have com­passion (Romans 9:15). “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, en­dured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.” (Romans 9:21-23).

Again, concerning Judas we read in Acts 1:16 and Acts 1:25 these statements, “Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus, that he may take part of this ministry and apos­tleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might GO TO HIS OWN PLACE (hmmm, what does that phrase mean? But that’s a separate message))”

Here we learn that the Scriptures foretold the infamy and destiny of Judas the traitor. In the light of 1 Timothy 2:4 and many other such Scrip­tures, we know that God certainly did not influence Judas to betray the Lord Jesus and refuse His gift of eternal life. Note the words of 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Now there is not the slightest suggestion in any Scripture that Judas was a saved man. In fact, the very contrary is taught. In John 6:64-65 we read, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

Here we learn that Judas, with the others, was an unbeliever, and then the Lord Jesus adds in John 6:70-71 these words, “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”

Here we learn that Judas is called a devil. Therefore it is altogether contrary to sound doctrine and plain Scriptural teaching to say that Judas was a saint and became a sinner, losing his salvation. Such a position is taken by some Christians who teach against the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

Have you ever considered carefully the opening words of the Bible...In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth? Now, think, why doesn't it simply say that God created the Universe? Why specifically the heaven and the earth?

As we go on reading we find the answer to this question, and that is because the Bible clearly teaches that God has a two-fold purpose; one having to do with the earth and the other with heaven. The former is the subject of prophecy, while the latter is the subject of the "Mystery", or secret, revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. (See Acts 3:21; then Romans 16:25). The former concerns Israel and the nations; the latter "the Body of Christ", of the holy heavenly calling.

Some people are surprised to learn that there is not one promise in the whole Old Testament about going to Heaven. There the whole outlook is earthly, with Messiah reigning as King (Jeremiah 23:5). When our Lord appeared in the flesh the angels cried, "Peace on earth" (Luke 2:14). He Himself said that "the meek" shall "inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

Even at Pentecost the Apostle Peter declared that after "the restitution of all things" God would send Jesus BACK to earth and the times of refreshing would "come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19-21).

BUT, not until the raising up of the Apostle Paul do we learn that NOW all believers in Christ are "baptized into one body", 1 Corinthians 12:13, and Colossians 1:5, and many other Pauline passages, speak of "the hope which is laid up for you IN HEAVEN". Indeed, before God, believers are already given a position "in heavenly places" and are "blessed with all spiritual blessings IN [THE] HEAVENLIES in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:4-7).

The prophecies regarding the Kingdom, however, will still be fulfilled and Christ will reign on earth and bring the promised "times of refreshing". THANK GOD, this world will not forever be a place of war and bloodshed, sickness and death, misery and woe. Indeed, at that time, Heaven and Earth will be opened to each other, and thus will be fulfilled God's two-fold purpose, "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10).

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.