The first thing that tells me the Book fo Judas is not of God is the fact that it contradicts every other Gospel in the New Testament.
The second thing that tells me it was not of God is the fact that it's been lost to us all these years. God is in complete control of His word, and if this book were meant for our consumption, it would have been made available to us.
The third, and most important, thing that tells me it's not of God is the fact that atheists the world over are reveling in it. People who spend their lives abhoring God, and trying to refute the Bible suddenly holding this ONE book in such high regard is not only disturbing, but a clear sign of where this text really comes from.
The message of the Book of Judas is not surprising to me...having read the Gospels NUMEROUS times, I can say that Jesus knew from the beginning what Judas would do (as He is omnipotent). It is also clear from the beginning of Jesus' ministry that his life would end in sacrifice.
The fact that it would be Judas that betrayed Jesus was unbeknownst to Judas himself and the other disciples. When Jesus revealed that one of them would betray him, they ALL murmered amongst themselves, asking, "Who will it be ?"
Jesus is God. He knew Judas' heart was wicked, yet he handpicked Judas anyway (just as he did all his disciples). It is ridiculous to assume that Jesus was unaware that Judas would eventually betray him. It can be postulated that Jesus chose Judas specifically because he knew that Judas was capable of such a thing, not that he pre-ordained him to.
Here is the verse that supports what I am saying...
Matthew 26:20-25 - When evening came, Yeshua (Jesus) reclined with the 12 talmidim (apostles); and as they were eating, he said, "Yes, I tell you that one of you is going to betray me." They became terrbily upset and began asking him, and after the other, "Lord, you don't mean me, do you ?" He answered, "The one who dips his matzah (bread) in the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man (Jesus) will die just as the Tanakh (Old Testament), but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed ! It would have been better for him had he never been born !" Y'hudah (Judas), the one who was betraying him, then asked, "Surely, Rabbi, you don't mean me ?" He answered, "The words are yours."
Ok, the first thing you should notice is that Judas seems unaware of the fact that it will be himself that will betray Jesus. The apostles don't seem to know either.
The second thing that should have grabbed your attention is the fact that they were all upset. No one thought himself capable of such a betrayal, including Judas.
This is not a singular witness to this converstion, either.
John 6:63-71 - It is the spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life, yet among you, you do not trust." (For Yeshua knew from the the outset which ones would not trust him, also which one would betray him)
"This," he said, "is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has made it possible for him." From this time on, many of his talmidim turned back, and no longer travelled around with him.
So, Yeshua said to the 12, "Don't you want to leave, too ?" Shim'on (Simon) Kefa (Peter) answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go ? You have teh word of eternal life. We have trusted, and we know that you are the holy one of God."
Yeshua answered them, "Didn't I choose you ? The twelve ? Yet one of you is an adversary." (He was speaking of Y'hudah Ben-Shim'on (Judas of Simon [his father]), from K'riot (Iscariot); for this man -one of the 12 !- was soon to betray him.)
John 13:18 - "I am not talking to all of you - I know which ones I have chosen. But the words of the Tanakh (Old Testament) must be fulfilled that say, 'The one eating my bread has turned against me.' I am telling you now, before it happens; so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM [who I say I am]. Yes, indeed ! I tell you that a person who receives someone I send receives me, and that anyone who receives me receives the One (God) who sent me." After saying this, Yeshua, in deep anguish of spirit, decalred, "Yes, indeed ! I tell you that one of you will betray me."
The talmidim apostles) stared at one another, totally mystified - whom could he mean ? ONe of his talmidim, the one Yeshua particularly loved, was reclined close beside him. So, Shim'on Kefa (Simon Peter) motioned to him and said, "Ask which one he is talking about."
Leaning against Yeshua's chest, he asked Yeshua, "Lord, who is it ?" Yeshua answered, "It's the one to whom I give this piece of matzah after I dip it in the dish." So he dipped the piece of matzah, and gave it to Y'hudah Ben-Shim'on from K'riot (Judas, son of Simon, from Iscariot). As soon as Y'hudah took the piece of matzah, the Adversary went into him. "What you are doing, do quickly," Yeshua said to him.
Judas didn't know that he was the Lord's betrayer, period. The Book of Judas is not a book for the Bible, nor is it of God.
|
Linear Mode
