Nowhere in scripture does it say that Judas was saved or possessed eternal life. In fact it declares just the opposite. The bible teaches that Judas was the son of perdition from the beginning. Jesus said of Judas it would of been better off for him to not even been born than to betray the Son of Man.
Below is the Biblical picture that is painted which describes judas.
John 6:63-65
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For
Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
Jesus makes distinction between "them that did not believe" and "who would betray Him." Judas is the one who would betray Him -
not [of] them who did not believe.
John 6:70-71
Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?
Yet one of you is a devil!" 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve,
was later to betray Him.)
The word "devil" in this verse is an adjective not a noun nor a pronoun. The word literally means "traducer" which is defined as "someone who impugns the character of another" or "false accuser" or simply "liar" on all counts.
What I understand about Jesus calling Judas a "liar" and one who "impugns the character of another" (Jesus) takes place when Judas went to the priests. The religious leaders were well aware Judas was a disciple of Jesus. But here comes Judas asking how much they would give him to tell where He was. The religious leaders were shrewd, corrupt. Was Jesus planning His own plot to trap these men? That was their thinking. Until Judas began to impugn the character of His Lord/Rabbi. Under the Law it is a transgression to bear false witness. So, once Judas began speaking ill of the Lord they took notice. Eventually they 'covenanted' for thirty pieces of silver.
Every time Judas is mentioned the Holy Spirit Who Authored the Scripture identifies Judas as "one of the twelve." This occurs seven times. Seven is an important number. It signifies "spiritual perfection." Although the Holy Spirit did not descend until ten days after Jesus' ascension (Acts 1-2) the number seven declares Judas as "one of the twelve" with 'twelve' also having spiritual significance. It means governmental perfection thus establishing Judas a true apostle and disciple/believer. Besides this, the Holy Spirit says Jesus "named them (the 12) apostles."
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 6:13–16.
It doesn't say, "eleven apostles and one false-apostle." It doesn't say, "eleven apostles and one devil-apostle." These twelve men were chosen after praying all night to the Father and Jesus "named them apostles." Each man was chosen in the same capacity as each other. They were all true apostles because Jesus chose them and NAMED THEM APOSTLES. There are no true apostles in 'hell.'
John 12:4-6
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot,
who was later to betray Him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6
He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Judas was a thief. Peter was a cusser. Blasphemer with a tongue possessive of a 'world of fire.' They all denied Jesus in Gethsemane. They forsook Jesus. But Judas was the only one in the moonlit night to declare Jesus as "Master."
John 13:10-11
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,
though not every one of you." 11 For
He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean.
Several ways to be "clean." One way is by the blood of Jesus. Another way is through trial (tribulation.) And they were all cleansed by the blood Jesus was about to shed for their eventual salvation. At the Passover meal Jesus said His body and blood were given "for you" (the twelve.)
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:20.
And that's what Jesus did. The twelve disciples representing the twelve tribes of Israel were washed and sanctified by the blood shed for them, all twelve. It cannot be for only eleven for that would fall short of the number twelve which in both the Old and New Covenants represents the government of the King: Jesus. There is no lack. Jesus did not fall short. He Promised twelve thrones to the twelve disciples. There are not eleven thrones in heaven and one in 'hell.' Jesus made a promise and He will give the twelve disciples/apostles each a throne to sit where He sits on the throne of His glory.
John 17:12
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except
the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
The same word is used to describe the very man of sin, the antichrist in:
2 Thessalonians 2:13-
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the man doomed to destruction.
The word "perdition" is the Greek word "apoleia." [Strong's #684.] It means "ruin." But the word also has three senses: eternal ruin, spiritual ruin, and physical ruin. The sense helps determine its usage. It can't refer to spiritual ruin for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. It can't refer to eternal ruin because Jesus promised Judas a throne. The only reference Jesus must've have been pointing to is Judas' physical ruin. He committed suicide and Scripture says "his insides gushed out" implying the branch he ties his noose to broke and he fell down the side of the hill thus causing his insides to gush out. Physical ruin.
Matt 26:23-25
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.
But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
25
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
What if Judas had not been born? Would that defeat Jesus' coming into this world to fulfill prophecy to be betrayed for 30 pieces or betrayed at all? If Judas had not been born God would have chosen someone else among the eleven to betray Him. But Jesus would have said the same thing if it was Peter or John or James. It would have been better if (Judas) had not been born for now and at least on this side of heaven the name "Judas" is to always be associated with Jesus' betrayal. What a 'jacket' to carry until all things are restored and God's people are in heaven with Jesus. At this time Judas will not be seen as a villain but all things will be known as we are known, and Judas' act will not carry the same stigmatism in heaven as it does now on earth. Besides this, Jesus says the names of the "twelve apostles of the lamb" will be memorialized in the foundation of the wall of the New City.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:14.
The prophet Isaiah paints two portraits of the coming Redeemer. He identifies a Conquering King and a Suffering Servant. Jesus is identified by John the Baptist as the "lamb of God" thus marking the time of these apostles. They are the twelve apostles of the lamb. After crucifixion and session Jesus now "looks" like a lamb (Revelation) but He is now a Lion. He is King. It doesn't mean Matthias or Saul/Paul. These were never apostles OF THE LAMB.
Acts 1:16-19
16 and said, "Brothers,
the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
18 (With
the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Acts 1:24-26
Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Ps 109:4-8
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
5 They
repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship.
6
Appoint an evil man to oppose him;
let
an accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
and
may his prayers condemn him.
8
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.
hope this helps !!!
I did an in-depth study on Acts 1:15-26 and found some very interesting things. I'll make a couple of mentions here but not all.
First, the eleven did not have the Holy Spirit. Peter was led by his flesh. He tries to make Judas fulfill Scripture. There is nothing in the Psalms that names Judas. Most likely Jesus "speaking on things of the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3) could have told Peter about the Psalms. But Peter was still in the flesh, and he was not led by the Spirit.
Second, there are two Greek words translated by the KJV translators as "numbered" and they mean two different things (Acts 1:17; 26.)
"Numbered" in verse 17 is "katarithmeō" which means "to reckon among." And Judas was "among the twelve" as the Spirit says seven times in the four gospels.
The other "numbered" is "synkatapsēphizomai" and this word means "
with" (together
with.) The prefix "syn" means "with" or "together."
Now, I've already mentioned the seven times Judas is identified by the Spirit as "one of the twelve" and nothing will change this. But what does the Spirit say about Matthias?
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:26.
Judas will always be identified as "one of the twelve" while the Spirit identifies Matthias as "with the eleven." Which refers to governmental perfection? Twelve or eleven?
Another thing about these two words is the "numbered" in verse 17 is also used in Matthew 10:30-
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30.
The word is "arithmeō." And the difference between the "numbered" in verse 17 (Judas) and 26 (Matthias) is that for Judas the hairs of the one head all belong to the same head while the other "numbered" in verse 26 (Matthias) is like taking a hair from one head and transplanting it into a different head. One is "among" and the other is "with." And Matthias will never be identified by the Holy Spirit in this election (hand vote) as "
among the twelve" (Judas.) He will forever be identified as "
with the eleven" (Matthias.)
Another thing is what are they doing officiating a meeting? Jesus commanded them to return to "Jerusalem UNTIL YE BE ENDOWED by the Holy Spirit. The word in Luke 24:49 is "tarry" meaning sit down and do nothing (official) until "endowed by the Spirit!" BUT PETER "STOOD UP!"
15 And in those days Peter stood up...Acts 1:15.
The body position in the Jewish culture for teaching is sitting down. To officiate the person stands UP! Peter leads the other ten disciples who are also in the flesh to choose a replacement for Judas. And we know from Saul that God is the One who places the person in the body and not man (1 Cor. 12; 14.)
One more thing. Were they actually choosing a treasurer? Judas "held the bag."
Based upon these truths Judas was Promised a throne by Jesus and Judas is with Jesus right now. He will be among the great cloud of witnesses when Jesus returns. Judas' name is written in the foundation of the wall of New Jerusalem. Judas was "named an apostle" by Jesus after praying all night. And Peter's sin was GREATER than Judas'. But ALL were atoned because Jesus gave His blood "for you" (the twelve.)
Then there is Matthew 27:3-5.
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.
Has anyone ever studied these verse? Judas confessed his sin. Rejected the mammon. And after "he saw" Jesus was condemned repented. What were the priests supposed to do under the Law when one has been complicit in the death (condemned) of an innocent man? What does the Law prescribe?
Life for life.
Judas was told by the priests to "see thou to that" which in our tongue is the same as saying "YOU handle it!"
In obedience to the Law of life for life the priest should have taken Judas outside the city and stoned him. They told him "YOU handle it!"
He did. He hung himself in obedience to the Law of life for life.
