1. The Disciples were from Galilee
Judas Iscariot was distinct from the other 11 disciples. They all emanated from
the region of Galilee (Acts 1;11) while Judas was surnamed “Iscariot” which
means “man of Kerioth”. a town in the east of Judea not far from Bethlehem.
So Judas was the only Judean and thus distinguished from the other 11
disciples. (Mark 3; 19)
The Corollary within Zechariah 11
In Zechariah 11; 12 the Prophet specifically foretells of the payment of 30
pieces of silver to be given to Judas Iscariot for the betrayal of Jesus.
In Zechariah 11; 15-17 the Prophet foretells of a “worthless shepherd” who will
not care for the sheep but will “eat their flesh and tear their hooves in pieces”.
His description fits the description of Antichrist whose ultimate objective is the
destruction of human civilization.
Zechariah appears to link Judas Iscariot and the Antichrist together in this
chapter.
Linked by Clay
In Daniel 2 – Daniel receives a vision portraying a man’s body. The vision
foretells of 4 empires (represented by different sections of the body) the first
of which is the Babylonian empire ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar. The Fourth
or last kingdom portrays the Kingdom of the Antichrist which will exist on earth
when Jesus Christ returns. It is characterised by 10 toes comprised partly of
iron and partly of clay. The previous empires are all represented by metals
and represent human dynasties. Clay is distinct from metal suggesting that the
iron refers to a human empire unnaturally linked to clay representing a non-human
persona in the form of the Antichrist. Daniel 2; 43 states “As you saw
2. iron mixed with ceramic clay they will mix with the seed of men but they will
not adhere to one another”. The word “they” would appear to refer to the
Antichrist and the False Prophet (part of the demonic trinity) and foretells of
the eventual repudiation of the partnership that will exist between them and
the last kingdom comprising 10 world regions represented by the 10
toes.(Revelation 17; 12-13)
In Zechariah 11;13 the prophet foretells that Judas Iscariot will throw the 30
pieces of silver into the temple “For the potter”. And so he did on the morning
of Good Friday. Having received the silver pieces the chief priests would not
keep them as they represented “blood money” so they used the money to
purchase “the potter’s field” as a burial ground. (Matthew 27; 6-8).
Judas Iscariot and the Antichrist are linked by “potter’s clay”.
Antichrist the “Arch Deceiver”
According to Paul the Antichrist will perpetuate the greatest deception in
history when he claims to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2; 3-4).
Judas, on the other hand, spent over 3 years with Jesus and his disciples,
playing a full part in Jesus ministry – even though Judas didn’t believe ( John
6; 64 and John 13; 10-11). Could Judas heal the sick and raise the dead
(Matthew 10; 7-8) even if he was an unbeliever? Jesus says “Yes” (Matthew
7; 22-23)
The other disciples were amazed when Judas was finally exposed by Jesus
during the last Supper (John 13; 22)
3. Both Judas and the Antichrist are characterized by their blatant deceptions
as well as their betrayals.
Judas Iscariot was already condemned
As Jesus was dying on the cross he forgave those who had caused his death,
declaring “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23; 34).
Could Judas have repented and been forgiven for his act of betrayal?
Certainly if he had been an ordinary human being. However, repentance and
forgiveness were not available because he did know what he was doing and
“he had been condemned” already (Matthew 27; 3).
The fact is that he never repented anyway and the “remorse” that he showed
was the natural outworking of his adopted human mind. (Matthew 27; 3). The
Antichrist has already been judged and therefore already condemned.
Following his eventual demise in the battle for Jerusalem (Zechariah 14) he
will be consigned to the Lake of Fire reserved for beings who have received
judgment (Revelation 19; 20) whilst his human army are consigned to Hades
(Revelation 19; 21) to await judgment at the Great White Throne (Revelation
20; 11-15).
The fact that he had already been condemned is further evidence that he was
a demonic being, who, like Jesus, had become flesh.
The “possession” of Judas
On 2 separate occasions it was recorded that Satan “entered” Judas Iscariot.
On the first occasion Satan initiated arrangements for the betrayal of Jesus
(Luke 22; 1-4) On a subsequent occasion Satan “entered” Judas immediately
after Jesus had exposed his betrayer – during the Last Supper (John 13; 26-
27) The entry referred to in each case was a taking possession of the body of
4. Judas – apparently “at will”. This event went far further than a mere instruction
to Judas (John 13; 2).
If Judas had been a believer, or even a lapsed believer, Satan would not have
been able to enter his body “at will”.
However, Satan would have been able to enter Judas, at will, if both formed
part of the demonic trinity (Revelation 16; 13-14).
Satan’s ability to enter Judas Iscariot “at will” supports the contention that
Judas was indeed The Antichrist.