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April 21st, 2011
12:01 AM ET
My Take: Is Judas in heaven or hell? God only knows
By Craig Gross, Special to CNN I heard a news clip promoting my recent speaking engagement at a church, and they mentioned that I deal with some of "the greatest sinners of all time." I thought to myself: Do I? Would people who are caught up in porn and sexual sin addictions consider themselves some of the greatest sinners of all time? Probably not. Without a doubt, Judas, the biblical disciple of Jesus, is considered the greatest sinner of all time because of what he did to Jesus. Here is the passage from Luke 22:21-22.
No surprises there. But for the one who turns him in - who turns traitor to the Son of Man - this is doomsday. Let me tell you a little bit about what the Bible says about Judas: He was personally chosen to be an apostle by Jesus. He spent 3 1/2 years traveling with Jesus. He saw all the miracles of Christ in person. He watched as Christ healed the sick, raised the dead and cast out demons. In terms of experience with Jesus, whatever you can say about Peter, James and John, you can say about Judas. On top of all this, he handled the money, which is most of the time the most trusted one in the bunch. No one suspected that Judas would betray Jesus, which tells me he was a believer. His life was changed. He knew Jesus personally. In a dark moment of his life, he made a mistake. A big one. He sold Jesus out for 30 silver coins or so. The moment he knew what he had done, he felt remorse, and he killed himself. I am not here to debate theology. The facts are the facts. I don't think Judas was “The Mole,” like the reality show character who's there to sabotage the game from the beginning. I think he made a mistake and now has gone down as committing the biggest sin of all time. Judas heard every message, saw every miracle, and still screwed up. Recently, I asked on my Facebook page: "Is Judas in heaven or hell?" The first response was:
There is a button on Facebook that I have started to love. It is called “unfriend.” I won't unfriend you because you believe differently than I do, I just don’t need more theologians as my friends on Facebook who speak with such confidence when it comes to someone's place in eternity. A debate continues on my Facebook wall. I love how everyone is so convinced they know whether Judas is in heaven or hell. I don't know who gets in, actually. Do I believe in heaven and hell? Yes. I believe one is dark and one is light, and they both last forever. Belief Blog: What if there is no hell? What is interesting to me is that in the upper room where Jesus and his disciples shared their last supper together, the 12 disciples all talked about how they were so great. Peter left the room and denied Jesus three times. Judas left the room and sold Jesus out for 30 coins. One committed suicide, and one went on to build the church as we know it today. Both Peter and Judas committed the same sin. They both denied Jesus. But why do most people think one goes to heaven and one goes to hell? This is not the debate Christians need to be engaged in. We don’t know. Instead of wasting our time on these types of arguments inside our little Christian world, maybe we should look inside ourselves this Easter. It is easier to debate these issues and make speculations about others than it is to actually look at ourselves in the mirror. It is always easier to think someone else is worse off then we are. But maybe as we approach Easter, we can be reminded that for Christians, the cross and the grave should silence all of these debates. We all fall short and deserve death, but because of what Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago, we are able to have life. And I believe that where you end up, God only knows. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: 
Why has the truth be killed?;
You people have not explained to me why would God need to have a Son when we all creatures are of his own and from his own Spirit ?
Why would God have a Son of his created among us when all the time we been sent human messengers ?
Why when among us comes a man asking us to the light of truth,proving him self to be different from date of birth, and when he showed us love,cured our sick,even brought back to life our dead ones,who was able to tell us what we stored and what is in stored for us.why do we condemn him to death as a transgressor ?
Why did we take the privilege of sacrificing him as an offering or were we repeating the crime of the Sons of Adam when Cain killed his brother in jealousy about some sacrifice offerings that were made and was accepted by God for Cain's brother but not to Cain him self ? Then he learnt after killing his brother how to hide the crime unfounded out by burying of the corpus as the Crow bird had showed him !
Strange isn't it that Satan has always mislead our fathers and us in jealousy ?
First as disguised as a Serpent as told by elder bibles, he mislead our fathers into eating the forbidden fruit and succeeded into getting them out of heavens into earth and he with them ?
Always where there was evil there was Satan behind it. He talked the Son of Adam Cain into killing his brother and into hiding his Crime !
Then Satan inspires and reveals to man evil verses that are not of God's words into the aim of putting the Light of God's Truth out of light !
When here comes to us a Righteous Prophet full of Miracles, but instead of appreciating same and thanking God for, we rather drove him into crucifixion?
The Sabbath people of the children of Israel who betrayed,ploted,conspired against him were of a closed religious society that is not accepting converts. The believers and followers of the Prophet were begining to claim his blood, when here Satan came again to teach them as to how to hide their crime, so they gave excuses and verses that made the crucifixion as legal ???
Any way the establishment of a second religion was necessary and as well keeping it astray off track was necessary as well as that it was intended to relieve them from the burden of opening up their Religion faith for new converts to join up in theirs ???
The Crime myth of being crucified beside other things became a religion formula to cool the mass of angry prophet followers and to drive the masses to convert into it.
Then the Romans learned the trick and became to make use of this further to control and drive their complex masses of many faiths into one integrated mass where they turned the Sun God Day into Son God Day ! Meaning gathered pagans,idolaters and joined them with the right mass into one big mass of a faith that contain all in one....
Until the day when the One Cell had broken into small divisions,where each thinks he is the righteous more than any other, so here it is it went multiplying to unend to becoming to suit each culture and race ???
Finally God has chosen a messenger from the race of the children of Ismael to bring back his words of light to the children of Israel by a member of the family tree, and that was because when ever God chosen a prophet from among them children of Israel they had always disbelieved and killed their Prophets and messengers one after another even the Prophet Moses was not spared the agony and the failures that they drove him into due their disbelief in him and in what he has brought up to them to follow ?
Now the same story is being repeated against the Seal of Prophets of God and the Words of the Message of God which was this Prophet only miracle that God has sent him with if compared with the line of Prophets and messengers that came before him.. ! The Light and the Power of Words were totally Rejected by the children of Israel because it came to them by the children of Ismael since they had rejected Ismael before that considering him a slave a son of a slave woman "Hager" !!
Turned to be in the size of the jealousy that Satan had for Adam or the jealousy that the son of Adam Cain had towards his brother for which he killed him or like how jealous those of the Sabbath were from Jesus by rejecting what he has came up with to ease their hardness that they had applied on them selves of which God had not told of.
Jesus was attacked as the Seal Prophet was attacked by the pagan and the jews of Mecca for bringing that does not agree with the culture and customs they wanted to live with such as freeing slaves, forbidding the drinking of spirits and all that was mentioned and known about the people Mucca doing before any signs of Islam !
History is being repeated,mankind does not want to learn from stories of nations of old in order not fall again and again with out hold his steps for moments to think for his self as 'why' when ever some one brings by the truth has to be killed ???
Peace to all,
You sound very sincere Muneef. Do you read the Bible? If you would please read in the New Testament beginning in the book of "John". You then will see another name of the Son of God. He was in the Beginning. It was all a plan by God. He wants us to come to Him willingly and to Love Him after we come to Know Him, It's all about Love and it is personal and it is a Holy Love. I see you are a thinker and I hope you will please think about this. I really want you to see how great this all is. Praying – Loretta
Loretta..
Such a lovely name and has a cooling affect on the heart.... Dear I know nothing would happen on earth with out the will of God...what ever happened or where ever prophets and messengers were before were sent to earth is not the issue since God said in the Quran that he God took the convent of all the prophets before sending them to call their people into worshipping God only and not to mislead people into worshipping them instead... This is the point here that the message was that (God is One and Only Nor he has a Mate or a Son or any Partners among Mankind or Jinn or Angels)...
Watch out from being mislead by Satan from the straight path of the righteous;
The Creation of Mankind
[7:11] We created you, then we shaped you, then we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Iblees (Satan); he was not with the prostrators.
The Test of Mankind Begins
[7:12] He said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?" He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from mud."
[7:13] He said, "Therefore, you must go down, for you are not to be arrogant here. Get out; you are debased."
[7:14] He said, "Grant me a respite, until the Day of Resurrection."
[7:15] He said, "You are granted a respite."
[7:16] He said, "Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path.
[7:17] "I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative."
[7:18] He said, "Get out therefrom, despised and defeated. Those among them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all.
[7:19] "As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree, lest you fall in sin."
[7:20] The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence."
[7:21] He swore to them, "I am giving you good advice."
[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: "Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?"
[7:23] They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers."
[7:24] He said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile."
[7:25] He said, "On it you will live, on it you will die, and from it you will be brought out."
[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.
[7:27] O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe.
[7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"
[7:29] Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will ultimately go back to Him."
PASTOR CRAIG GROSS,
"ONLY GOD KNOWS"?!?!!?!
I GET THE POINT OF YOUR ARTICLE, AND UNDERSTAND YOU'RE PUSHING FOR POSITIVE REFLECTION. BUT DON'T BE SO HARSH ON YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE SURE IF THEY'VE READ WHAT'S REVEALED TO US IN SCRIPTURE....
"WHILE I WAS WITH [THE DISCIPLES], I PROTECTED THEM AND KEPT THEM SAFE BY THAT NAME YOU GAVE ME. NONE HAS BEEN LOST EXCEPT THE ONE DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION..." JOHN 17:12
Pastor Craig Gross,
"Only God Knows"?!?!!?!
I get the point of your article, and understand you're pushing for positive reflection. But don't be so harsh on your friends who are sure if they've read what's revealed to us in Scripture....
"While I was with [the disciples], I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction..." John 17:12
Why are we even entertaining this? If He is in Heaven, they is nothing anybody can do about it. If Judas is not, there is nothing anybody can do about it. All that is under our control is how we live! Live so YOU can make it in! Stop worrying about what is not under your control! 49 pages of yes he is or no he isn't! Who can change anything about where he is? Live so YOU can make it into Heaven!!
Hi, I am a believer...not perfect and will never be on this earth! I agree somewhat thart we need to wait and see whether Judas nis in Heaven or Hell – that is up to God, but the real question is "Where will WE be in Eternity. Since the Bible (the Word of God) tells us we need a Savior because we ar ALL sinners ...What good would it do to try to be good? Sin can not enter into Heaven. In Romans 3:23 it tells us "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". In Romans 6:23 God tells us that the WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH! {DEATH IS A SEPARATION FROM GOD} In Ephesians 2:8&9 It tells us how to have our sins taken away! "For by GRACE are you saved by FAITH and that not of yourselves...It is the GIFT of God not of works least any man should boast. Hope you have a Bible so you can see for yourself that Romans 10:9&10 says you have to belive with your Heart who Jesus is and what he did to be saved from this sin we all have. Well anyway – He Loves us all and when we accept Him as our own personal Savior – he changes our desires hears our cries for help, direction and forgiveness when we do wrong – he places LOVE and concern for Others people in our hearts – Any color...Any race! It is not an easy way of life but it is worth it all – to let Him have His way with our life. Caring and loving others and gaining eternal life only by what has already been done for us by Jesus the Christ!
Christians, answer me this.
If Adolf Hitler (The most evil man in modern history) had, in his last moments, turned to JC, begged forgiveness for all his sins in genuine repentance and found God, is he or is he not in heaven?
If Mother Theresa (The most angelic person in modern history) had, in her last moments, decided that she believed, not in JC after all, but in the eternal Bhudda, is she in heaven or hell?
So your faith is one where Hitler is in paradise and Mother theresa is in hell, simply because of what they chose to believe. Christianity has nothing to do with being good, or acting nice, and everything to do with making sure you are screaming the right name. God according to you is self-involved, cruel, arrogant and evil.
Thats who you follow.
First, it's up to God instead of our finite views of what is good and/or evil. The concepts of good and evil where created by God and God is not subjegated by them. So calling God evil is a rather fool hardy statement.
I can sum it up for all of you...come unto me...for I have the Answer too all your questions......YOUR ALL NUTT"S ! You can take you Eienstien answers...Your book's....your scriptures....and toss them in the John. That's about all it is.....trash. You people can't see past you nose. Led like cattle too the slaughter house. If your that easy too fool? I have some beach property for sell in Arizona...lol. Idiots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhsWc41qPb0&NR=1
Watch all parts....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3gSusPS34w&NR=1
For peace;
From reading some of the various posts i may have reached a few conclusions but not sure of therefore might just write and ask few questions now to see if they were correct or not :
For Atheists might ask any of them to give me an honest answer although am sure the answer will vary from one to another ?
Q1) Do you atheist believe even if slightly that there is a superpower of a creator but deny existence because of Religions, Doctrines and their Complexities as on a state of rejection ?
Q2) Do you feel as being special as Atheists in not believing in God and that what ever you do good or bad will neither be rewarded or punished for it by any Divine because you do not believe in Divine nor resurrection or judgment day but rather you think we are here by a mere coincidence and not been created to serve a purpose in life ?
To Christians:
Q3) To those considering Jesus being the Son of God: Do you feel as being more special as if you were as sons of God and that what ever you do good or bad you will not be held accountable for but rather will go streight to the heavens, paradise directly with out any judgment or any punishment ?
Q4) To those considering Jesus God being in Trinity : Do you feel as being more special as if Gods on earth and that what ever you do good or bad you will not be held accountable for but rather will go to straight to the heavens, paradise directly with out any judgment or any punishment ?
Q5) Do all Christians think that in this life, God has not created us for Testing us as to who will do as told,warned and who will not ?
Q6) You do all Christians believe in this life, God has created us for Testing but think you are exempted from it and ever your deeds were ?
Q7) Do you consider any none Christians "Religious or not Religious",as Slaves of God and not as Godly as you are ?
Q8) Do you as Christians accept any other Race converts as equal as you are in your Earthly life and at the After life what ever their Race is or Christian Doctrine ?
Q9) Do you as Christians and Atheists wish at times if you had a sperate state for each to live in,where each of you can do as they please as in their favorite way of living,where each can impose his own laws and beliefs,and would that mean accepting to live among the mass Races of that belief or rather would favor a state or county for each mass of Race within the same belief ?
Sorry for being hard asking sensitive questions but that is the only way to find out more of what is going on,and what really man wants.
Beside I feel that the same descriptions might be required to be asked or be questioned to Muslims of Different Doctrines,Races and Cultures, who might have among them that who are similar to your nations,such as those who are Atheists,Agnostics or even Satanic but there still will be those who are considered as religious believers "Moderate or Extremes".. ! Surely you will find like those in every Nations,Faiths and Beliefs.
Hope have been clear that these were intended as to help us realize our inner "Thoughts and Wants" beside the real understanding of each other, and was not meant or intended for hurt or for dispute.... Peace to All.
1. Q1) Do you atheist believe even if slightly that there is a superpower of a creator but deny existence because of Religions, Doctrines and their Complexities as on a state of rejection?
>>>>>>>>>>>>My decisions have nothing to do with religion.
Q2) Do you feel as being special as Atheists in not believing in God and that what ever you do good or bad will neither be rewarded or punished for it by any Divine because you do not believe in Divine nor resurrection or judgment day but rather you think we are here by a mere coincidence and not been created to serve a purpose in life?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I do not believe there is a hell. I do good and right by man because this is how I wish to be treated.
To Christians:
Q3) To those considering Jesus being the Son of God: Do you feel as being more special as if you were as sons of God and that what ever you do good or bad you will not be held accountable for but rather will go straight to the heavens, paradise directly with out any judgment or any punishment ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> N/A
Q9) Do you as Christians and Atheists wish at times if you had a separate state for each to live in, where each of you can do as they please as in their favorite way of living, where each can impose his own laws and beliefs, and would that mean accepting to live among the mass Ra ces of that belief or rather would favor a state or county for each mass of Race within the same belief?
>>>> NO, it is dangerous to isolate religions. Diversity through co-existing at least until man is ready to put religion on the fan tasy shelf. We have a great model in the US; however we must still be fight to keep religion out of the government so everybody can freely believe as they wish.
It's funny how atheists like to troll the religion stories and attempt (and fail) to discourage Christians.
How would Christians attack the belief system of atheists?
By going to the science stories and proclaiming, "Evolution is a big fat lie. It's an unproven theory.
It has more holes than a slab of swiss cheese."
That's the same approach the atheists use. They HATE it when you attack their evolutionary belief system.
People: this is GOD speaking. If you DO NOT want to burn in HELL, then you better send me money. Lots of it because summer is coming & I want to buy a new sailing boat. Take heed!!! This is your last warning....PS: no cheques....a canuck speaking from his igloo (in heaven of course!)
There are many statements (and observations/conclusions) being made here, that are not Scripturally accurate. And many are just down right incorrect.
If Judas hadnt done it there never wouldve ever been any christianity
Not only words says that Judas was what they say is, it is enough to see the painting there who Judas was made to look like, sort of looking "Mean,Jealous,Evil"... So can say the image was more expressing than it is with words.
It's funny how atheists like to trol the religion stories and attempt (and fail) to discourage Christians.
How would Christians attack the belief system of atheists?
By going to the science stories and proclaiming, "Evolution is a big fat lie. It's an unproven theory.
It has more holes than a slab of swiss cheese."
That's the same approach the atheists use. They HATE it when you attack their evolutionary belief system.
I actually agree that its pretty stupid to troll a blog dedicated to religious belief, but you couldn't be more wrong about upsetting atheists (or anyone for that matter) over evolution. I'd look at your statement the same way I'd look at someone saying, "Gravity is a big fat lie. It's an unproven theory." It wouldn't bother me in the least; it would only lead me to question your education and/or intelligence.
I certainly do not claim to know, of my own knowledge, that Judas is in Hell. But the author of the article cherry-picked some passages while omitting others in order to forge his hypothesis of implication (echoes of Rob Bell).
So, let's look at the words of Jesus Himself regarding Judas: "While I [Jesus] was with them [the disciples], I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition [Greek = destruction], so that the Scripture would be fulfilled" (John 17:12). Jesus says "not one of them [the disciples] PERISHED [Greek = was destroyed] **but** the SON OF PERDITION." Jesus also says of Judas "...Satan ENTERED INTO him" (John 17:27, repeated in Luke 22:3).
Yes, Peter denied Christ three times (but was not a part of the *betrayal* that handed Him over to the Jewish leaders). Yet, even knowing that Peter would do this, Jesus prayed for Peter, "Simon, Simon [Peter], behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I [Jesus] have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus prayed no such prayer for Judas.
Yes, Judas felt "remorse" (Matthew 27:3), but remorse is NOT the same as repentance. Jesus further said to Pilate (who ordered His crucifixion) that "the one who handed Him over was guilty of greater sin they he (Pilate)" John 17:22. If you search out the name "Judas" in the four Gospels, you will find it mentioned 30 times - and almost all reference Judas in a negative light (and NONE in a positive light). So is Judas in Hell? Christ's own words show that the weight of the evidence is - he is.
Hi dear Muneef,
I appreciate your comment, because it proves that you are a diligent man and a diligent man has a chance to be successfully.
I am a German and will read your above suras in my German edition of the Koran (I have already read the Koran, but cannot remember always every single sura). Please let me take my time to answer.
Unfortunately I have to tell you before that I am sure that my mind will not be changed by the above suras. I will continue to believe in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God. I have got the Holy Spirit, teaching me about divine truths.
I hope, you will proceed in searching and finally finding the only true faith.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Rainer
http://confessingchurch.wordpress.com
Dear Rainer Braendlein.
Thank you for your kind words,actually my quotes were not intended for you to disbelieve in what you believe in, it was draft for you to know the muslim believe on the issue as well for you to think and figure out what you should believe in firmly.
But if I may ask being curious only;
Who do you Worship praying to ?
Who do you Pray for ?
Beside that yesterday and today I understand were special days for the Christians namely mentioned to be the Resurrection days....in such case I would like to delegate to all my best wish's to all for this holy occasion of yours. Kind Regards.
Rainer B.
You should see how pretty is the German Angel.
http://mydatelab.com/members/germanange/
I read something several years ago that put Judas in a different light. The theory was that Jesus, knowing he was destined to die on the cross, actually instructed Judas to betray him. He chose Judas because he was his most trusted and devot disciple. If this theory is true then Judas would definitely be in Heaven, if not, he still may me.
If I recall, the book and subsequent movie of The Last Temptation of Christ held roughly the same view.
I think we all seem to be forgetting one very important fact. The bible isn't fact.
I find it interesting that the apparent atheists who feel the need to make themselves feel better by criticizing the bible and Christianity with snide little comments would even waste their time reading a blog – about belief.
Apparently you aren't as hard core as you want everyone to think you are...start with the book of John, that'd be in the Bible, in the New Testament (but you probably already knew that)
As an atheist, I support CP's rebuttal. Why come to a belief blog cept to learn?