There's only twelve thrones mentioned in Revelation 21. Paul won't be there, he'll be in heaven.
Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot. Acts 1:21-26
Does God "replace" in the body of Christ, or does He "add" to the body of Christ?
Think about that.
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47.
Or is this true:
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29.
You are falling for the Gentile textbook response of Judas' salvation. The mainline Gentile "church" believe Judas is eternally separated from God. This is not true. They claim Judas didn't "repent", but repentance is nowhere found as a doctrine that evidenced salvation as he lived and died under the Law. And while there is evidence Judas changed his mind about his actions and being involved and complicit in the condemnation of an innocent man (Jesus), Matthew chapter 27 says this:
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:3–5.
This took place under the Law which was the guiding instruction for anyone who is found complicit in the condemnation of an innocent man (Jesus.)
1. Judas "saw" that Jesus was condemned to death and this the priests did unjustifiably. For one the Law prevents holding trial at night, especially past midnight and hidden from the people's knowledge.
2. It says Judas "repented" (had a change of mind.) Many hair-split and say this was not "genuine" repentance, but the word is a derivative of the Greek "metanoia" which simply means "to change one's mind" which is what Judas did as things he witness were showing signs injustice. This changed mind was what caused Judas to return to the priests and confess his being complicit in the condemnation of an innocent man (Jesus), and this directly led to him attempting to return the 30 pieces of silver in attempt to "buy back the life of Jesus", but if this isn't what John the Baptist said was "bringing forth fruits (acts) meet for repentance" then what is? In other words, actions speak louder than words and your words should match your actions and your actions match your words.
3. Under the Law what is the penalty for being complicit in the death (condemnation) of innocent men? The priests, with the support of the people, take the offender outside city limits and stone that person. The Law calls for "life for a life" (wound for wound, strike for strike.) But the astounding thing if you are honest with Scripture is what the priests said to Judas in response to his change of mind, his confession, and his attempt to restore/take back the 30 pieces of silver. They told Judas: "What is that to us? see thou to that!" In other words they told him "[that] has nothing to do with us. YOU handle it!"
4. Judas did. He rejected the mammon and threw it back at the priests in the Temple and went out and fulfilled the Law of Moses which called for "life for a life." In the end Judas was obedient to the Law of Moses. What he did called for retribution, which is legal under the Law of Moses, and he did what was required of him which actions and words find him submitted to the Law in this situation. Many do not interpret this under the Law. They try to apply "Christian logic" or theology, which did not apply at the time for these events occurred at least fifty days (Pentecost) after Passover and Jesus' ascension and the birth of the Church ten days later.
One more thing that many miss. There are two people in both Testaments in which God calls Abraham "Friend" and Jesus calls Judas "Friend." How significant is that? Does God condemn His friends to hell or eternal separation from God and His Christ? How many "friends" of God are actually in hell or sent to hell? How many apostles - true apostles - are there in hell? And if Jesus called Judas [an] "apostle" will you contradict Jesus and call Judas a "fake" apostle or "devil"-apostle? If Jesus called Judas an apostle in the same capacity as He called the other eleven His apostles, will you contradict Jesus?
12 And it came to pass in those days, that
he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples:
and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Luke 6:12–16.
I don't deny Judas betrayed Jesus but when I ask others who resigned Judas to hell, they cannot pinpoint what his betrayal was. Do you know? John 18:1-2 reveal evidence what Judas' great big sin was.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
John 18:1–2.
Because of the constant push of multitudes who followed Jesus everywhere He went, Jesus took Himself and His disciples to a place where the people did not know and where they could be alone and get away from the crowds. Judas' big sin was revealing the secret location to the guards by leading them to it where Jesus and the others would "chill." He, in effect, was saying, "Here is the man you seek. Here is the Messiah!" In contrast what did the eleven including Peter do? They rejected knowing Him, even actively denying Jesus or knowing Him to save their own skin. I'd say that is worse than what Judas did. One pointed Jesus out in the dark night, the other(s) denied even knowing Jesus. I can also point out Scripture that goes directly to Judas and one of those things is in every instance where Judas is named or mentioned the Holy Spirit - who Authored the letters/epistles - identifies Judas as "one of the twelve", as opposed to Matthias who is identified as "being
with the eleven." One addresses inclusion, the other, exclusion. And in Acts 1:15-26 where the choosing of Matthias is recorded there are problems here, too. Why did the Spirit use two Greek words that the KJV translators translate as "numbered."? And what "apostleship" is being referred here? Was it Judas as "treasurer" (he held the bag), or was Peter that ignorant to think men can appoint apostles to their call in the body of Christ, something Saul clearly says in First Corinthians 12 that is under the direct purview and choice of a Sovereign God?
Yes, this might be about the "faith of Jesus Christ vs. the faith of man", but I count Judas a true apostle called of God. And when I see a brother unjustly run through an unjust wringer, I speak up for them. Then in Matthew Jesus promises twelve thrones to the twelve apostles who will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Eleven thrones in heaven and one in hell? Is that what Jesus said? Then the names of the twelve apostles
of the lamb inscribed in the foundation of the wall of New Jerusalem. "
Of the lamb" identifies the timeframe of who these apostles are. This refers to the twelve apostles when Jesus came the first time as "lamb of God", and not when He will come the second time as Conquering King.
Yes, I have studied the question of Judas Iscariot. And with the Word rightly divided (interpreted and understood) I bring evidence to the table that is factual, not emotional. And as Christians we are to deal with fact, not preconceived suppositions and false doctrine unsupported by Scripture. And for some of the reasons above I provide we can see - if we are honest with Scripture - that Judas Iscariot is with Jesus right now and will return with Him in the great cloud of witnesses. I defend brethren, I don't knock them down, and Christians are known notoriously for being a religious group that kill their wounded.
Are you among that crowd?