The Pope of Rome is called by Lutherans, Calvinists, and in virtually all historic Confessions of Faith an antichrist. For the Reformers of that era, the Pope of Rome seemed to embody everything that the antichrist was to be. He took upon himself the name of God (Holy Father), Jesus (the Head of the Church) and the Holy Spirit (the Vicar of Christ). He persecuted Christians and set them on fire, tortured them, and hunted them down like dogs. But even though the persecutions of Rome have halted, Pope Francis hasn’t shed the general antichrist vibe that has plagued pontiffs for so many centuries.
Could you imagine something more antichrist than siding with the one who betrayed our Lord and Savior? In an astounding and bold display of biblical defiance, Pope Francis has now claimed that Judas could very likely be in Heaven.
As reported in the Aletia publication, Francis said, “How did Judas end up? I don’t know. Christ never calls Judas a ‘traitor’ personally. Rather, Jesus calls him ‘friend’ and kisses him.”
He then added, “Jesus threatens forcefully here; he threatens forcefully: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born. But does that mean that Judas is in Hell? I don’t know. I look at that capital. And I listen to the word of Jesus: ‘Friend.’”
Acts 1:25 makes it clear…
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Barnes Notes Commentary says, “The expression “to go to his own place” is one which is used by the ancient writers to denote “going to an eternal destiny.” Thus, the Jewish Tract, Baal Turim, on Numbers 24:25, says, “Balaam went to his own place, that is, to Gehenna,” to hell. Thus, the Targum, or Chaldee Paraphrase on Ecclesiastes 6:6, says,” Although the days of a man’s life were two thousand years, and he did not study the Law, and do justice, in the day of his death his soul shall descend to hell, to the one place where all sinners go.” Thus, Ignatius in the Epistle to the Magnesians says, “Because all things have an end, the two things death and life shall lie down together, and each one shall go to his own place.” The phrase his own place means the place or abode which was suited for him, which was his appropriate home.”
Matthew Poole’s commentary says, “hell, or destruction, not intended by Judas, but righteously by God appointed for him: whilst he was in the world (especially after his betraying of our Saviour) he was a usurper in it.”
John Gill’s commentary says, “Which may be understood of Judas, and of his going to hell, as the just punishment of his sin; which is commonly so called by the Jews, who often explain this phrase, “his place”, by hell.”
Furthermore, Francis cites the greatest Biblical reason to know that Judas is in hell…it is better that he never had been born. Francis simply glosses over the verse and cites another in opposition.
What can be a reason why Pope Francis would argue that Judas is in Heaven if it weren’t that he knows his is the same terrible fate?
