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Judas betrays Jesus, revealing his identity
After being dispatched from the upper room and spiritually equipped to carry out his appointed task, Judas set out to betray Jesus. The mission of the one doomed to destruction began and ended on the 13th day of the 1st month. His famous act of betrayal took place in the garden of Gethsemane. I recommend reading The Testimony of Gethsemane as a collateral study. When we think of the betrayal it's usually the treachery involved, the violation of trust that comes to mind, but what should also be understood is how the action functioned as a means of revealing identity. The baptism event that happens on the 13th day of the 1st month will not only reveal the identity of the betrayer but it will be the catalyst for the revelation of the more important identity, that of the true Messiah! This account emphasizes just how deeply cloaked the reality of that day will be.
Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. ~ Mark 14:41-46
Doesn't it strike you as being a little odd that it was necessary to identify which one was Jesus? As He testified, he had daily been among them, and yet, they were unable to recognize him. Wow! How hard could it have been? There's a point being made very emphatically about the extent of the inability to recognize the Messiah that will characterize that day of strong delusion. Jesus approached those who came for him personally and introduced himself, twice!
4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” ~ John 18:4-9
Even still, Judas was required as the necessary agent. He was appointed to perform the critical task of betrayal, of revealing the identity of “Jesus the Nazarene.”
The meaning of the Greek word translated, “betray” in the context is paradidomi. This same word is translated into the words “delivered over” in the following verse, showing that the purpose is to reveal, to make manifest.
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:11
It should be noted in connection with that verse how the Greek word translated “martyr” [Strong's G3144] means “witness.” The Bride will be following the model of the Lord, and there will be betrayal and martyrdom in the Feast days appointed for that special witness.
Judas' betrayal was with an act that identified Jesus. Here's the pattern that provides insight. One great result of the revelation of the lawless one is the revelation of the identity of the “lawful one,” the true Messiah. Through the exposure of the counterfeit, the vivid model presented in the midst of high drama exposes the identity of the genuine. Even though deception will cover the matter like a heavy cloak, the Bride will know the messianic identities. The 144,000 sons of Israel (pictured at the last supper in the reclining disciple Jesus loved) will be watching, attentive to the activity involving the betrayer and the Bride. Because of what transpires during the Feast, the beloved sons of Israel will come to know the hidden identity of haMashiach. Y'shua! Baruch haba b'shem Adonai - Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
At the supper in the upper room, Y'shua made this declaration, and so it will be.
‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. ~ John 13:18b-19
One who eats His bread can be interpreted as a reference to a Christian.
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. ~ 1 John 2:18-19
While the Pope is obviously the head of the Romish church, Bill Clinton is considered by some to be a Baptist. During his presidency, Bill and Hillary (who was raised as a Methodist) attended a Methodist church. He received counsel from Tony Campolo, Gordon MacDonald and Bill Hybels and was inspired by Billy Graham. Bill Clinton has also been considered to be the “royal boy chosen,” of Hebrew descent. Some consider Prince William to be a candidate, and the Church of England (Episcopal-Anglican) is the religious affiliation of the Royals. The Queen spends weekends at Windsor and attends St George's Chapel. It is both a royal peculiar and the chapel of the Order of the Garter. Whoever the antichrist host will be it is certain that he will be seen as eating the Lord's bread, a Christian, and as baptized by the Pope.
Most saints today are convinced they will be able to easily recognize the Antichrist, should he be revealed in their midst. They have been set-up. The degree of deception cloaking the competing messianic identities will be strong, as I've declared over and again, and repeat once more for emphasis!
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” ~ Luke 22:52-53
“This hour and the power of darkness are yours.” Wow! The reference to the arrival of night was made in the narrative of John 13.
So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night. ~ John 13:30
The description of the events of the 13th day of the 1st month given in 2 Thessalonians 2 highlights the threat of deception. Are you still glossing over it, like most of us have for so long? This night and the darkness granted for cover in that hour will be great. The threat is real. If I could write this so you would see these warnings have been stained with many tears, I would.
1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
The swords (Luke 22:38) that were collected at Jesus' request and brought to the scene of the betrayal and arrest were two in number because of the division theme of the setting and because they represent two seasons of fulfillment. One sword was used by Peter to lop off an ear. The other sword was not used then because it was a symbol of those future saints who were being modeled by Peter, who arm themselves with the intent to fight as for an earthly kingdom. (Steve Quayle and Greg Evensen come to mind, and all so-called Christian Patriots, including Col. Harry Riley (Ret) and the Operation American Spring and Operation Flood Congress activities.)
I encourage reading The Testimony of Gethsemane - Part 2 for more insight into the role that will be played by those saints who choose to use the sword in that day. In that study, I also mention the following prophetic model, which took place as Jesus was led away captive.
Y'shua healed the ear Peter lopped off, which belonged to the servant of the High Priest. That restoration of the physical ear represents the coming restoration of the hearing ear for such servants of the High Priest of Israel (The release of Simeon who rejoins his brothers after they fetch Benjamin.) In restoring that ear, Jesus was modeling His work through his Bride, who is sent for that purpose. She will be received, and with her also The One who sends her AND the One who sends Him! Y'shua is “telling you before it comes to pass,” (John 13:19) not “you,” who already believe that He is “He,” but those who have not yet accepted His true identity, but will, at the time appointed. It's brilliant! What a plan!
Here's another object lesson, warning us, preparing us.
51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked. ~ Mark 14:51-52
That man, who followed Jesus on his way to suffering, death, and glory, made the choice to flee when he was seized. In doing so he lost his linen garment, which represents forfeit of great reward.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. ~ Revelation 19:7-8
The man who fled the scene of the arrest naked was a young man, which speaks of immaturity. He had clothed himself in linen, putting on righteous acts, but had not yet come to maturity. He was therefore unable to keep that most precious garment when the time of testing came, when he was tempted with saving his life.
Just prior to being seized, the young man would have witnessed what Peter did with the sword as he tried to protect Jesus, which would have spared Him from becoming the necessary sacrifice. Consider what was written earlier in Mark, in the 8th chapter, and make note of the repeating pattern.
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” ~ Mark 8:31-38
A sacrifice will be required in the day that is nearly upon us. Some will be mature, having taken up the personal cross to follow Y'shua. They will lose their lives and thereby save them. They will have clothed themselves and retained that precious garment. Others will take up the sword, ignorant of what is required. Others will be tempted to save their own lives, and in that day of trial, lose what is of far greater value.
The following was written to the lukewarm church in Laodicea.
17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ~ Revelation 3:17-18
I pray that you have purchased enough eye salve, white garments and refined gold from Him, investing wisely, dear saint. You and I will need it.
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More to follow, Lord willing.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/pope-says-baptism-for-all--even-martians-20140513-zraqo.html#ixzz31X6KkNKa
ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-says-he-would-baptise-aliens-9360632.html
ReplyDeleteIt really is brilliant. Thanks!
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