As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
The question was asked on Yahoo Answers:
"For Christians only.....Do you think the people that played the roles in the Bible i.e. Judas were in the end honored by God or sent to hell for their actions....denying God?"
My answer was this:
These people didn't "play roles." These were real people who acted as they did, and REACTED as they did.
Judas's ONLY FATAL MISTAKE was NOT ASKING GOD FOR FORGIVENESS, which he would have received.
Y'shua (Jesus) had said, "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."
Y'shua knew beforehand who would betray him. And he also knew that Judas would feel such tremendous guilt that he would never BELIEVE he could be forgiven, Thus he did not approach God for forgiveness to receive it. He DID confess his sins when he threw the money down - but he only confessed his sins to sinful men - not to God himself.
This, indeed, is one of the most tragic accounts in the bible.
Judas had been deceitful in his handling of the treasury, stealing from it. He was already carrying guilt for this - and having this "secret" from the LORD gave him no reason to believe he had a close and intimate relationship with the LORD. Thus he [had alienated himself - his heart had no confidence toward God and so he] felt UNWORTHY of God's forgiveness despite the fact that Y'shua had clearly shown his mercy, love and compassion on even the worst of sinners who had repented and acknowledged his LORDship.
God didn't WANT to condemn Judas, but God has his law, his conditions - and they must be met. He is no respecter of persons, whether for a good end or a tragic one. He changes not.
