Some who are teaching a "pre-Antichrist rapture" may not realize that they and their disciples already are serving and preaching Antichrist. Because they have chosen the riches of the world they will not be given the true riches of the Kingdom of God.

As far as we know, Judas was an ordinary human being.

At one time Judas had been a little boy, playing games around his home in the village of Kerioth. Could the lad Judas have realized that one day his Creator would say of him, "It had been good for that man if he had not been born"? Could Judas have known that one day his name would be a symbol for treachery throughout the world?

What if Christ were to say that about me? About you? Are we immune for some reason? Was Judas immune? Were Ananias and Sapphira, who held back part of the proceeds from the sale of their land because of their desire for money, immune to the wrath of God because they were members of the early Church?

The holy Scriptures by commandment and example teach us to flee from the love of money, from the deceitfulness of riches. It is impossible to serve God and money. We must choose between these two masters.

Esau traded the Messianic inheritance for a bowl of lentils. Judas sold Emmanuel for thirty pieces of silver. Gehazi exchanged the trust of Elisha, and his own health, for some clothes. Ananias, and Sapphira gave their lives for material gain.

During the reign of Antichrist the members of the Laodicean churches will trade their part in the Lamb's Book of Life for economic security.

We have made our choice. How about you?

"That the scripture might be fulfilled," Jesus prayed. Christ knew from the beginning who it was that would betray Him.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. (John 6:70,71)

Judas was mentioned by the Spirit of Christ speaking through David:

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Psalms 41:9)

There are the wicked and there are the righteous. To what extent some people belong to God before they receive Jesus, and others are wicked and not of God, we cannot say. It is obvious that Judas was condemned from the beginning. However, the Scripture holds true that if any person comes to Jesus he will not be turned aside.

Judas betrayed Christ with the kiss of friendship. How truly treacherous and perverse is the spirit of covetousness! Indeed, covetousness is idolatry. It is the worship of the god of riches, the god of the world. Of all the heathen gods worshiped in His day, Christ spoke only of one—Mammon (money).

To be continued.