Secrets from Beyond The Grave

One of Christ's original twelve apostles was Judas Iscariot (Matt. 26:14). Judas identified Jesus by a kiss (v. 49) and betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 27:3). Judas later regretted his actions, but he repented to himself and not to God (v. 3). After throwing the silver money on the temple floor, Judas went out and hung himself on a tree (v. 5). Later, when the apostles were replacing Judas, Peter stated: "Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out" (Acts 1:18). Critical scholars say this is a contradiction: one statement says Judas hung himself, and the other says he fell headlong. As always, there is a simple explanation to these complex theological debates. I have stood in the area numerous times and even visited a monastery that sits on the top of the hill overlooking the Valley of Hinnom. On top of the hill there are numerous trees whose branches reach out over the cliffs to the valley below. It becomes apparent that Judas took a rope and hung himself by jumping off the cliff, with his body dangling from the tree branch. At some point, the branch snapped, and the body of Judas plummeted below, dashing upon the jagged rocks that protrude along the cliff walls and landing on rocks at the bottom of the valley. Thus there is no contradiction. He hung himself first, and after the branch broke, his body fell. The impact caused the results mentioned in Acts 1:18. Concerning Judas, Peter wrote: To take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. --Acts 1:25 Judas was a part of the apostolic ministry and fell into sin when "Satan entered him" (John 13:27). After his death, Peter said he went "to his own place." The word place in Greek is topos and alludes to a certain location. It can allude to a place (room) that a person occupies (Luke 14:9-10). Some scholars suggest that this phrase "his own place" alludes to a special room in hell where Judas was taken for betraying Christ. Christ had said that for the person betraying him, "It would have been good for that man if he had never been born" (Mark 14:21). In summarizing the life and death of Judas: He was chosen as one of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:1-4). He is called a "bishop" based on a prophecy in Psalms (Ps. 109:4-8; Acts 1:20). He was given spiritual authority over demons and disease (Matt. 10:1).

He was appointed the treasurer of the ministry (John 12:6). He was called a thief before he ever betrayed Christ (John 12:6). He eventually sold out his ministry for money (Matt. 26:15). He was called a "devil" by Christ (John 6:70). He allowed Satan to enter his heart at the final supper (John 13:27). He betrayed Christ with a kiss and gave Him over to the soldiers (Matt. 26:48). He realized his sins but repented to himself and not to God (Matt. 27:3). He went out and took his life (Acts 1:18). His soul and spirit were taken to their own location under the earth (Acts 1:25). Blood Money for a Graveyard

Since the thirty pieces of silver was money used to betray an innocent man and shed innocent blood, a curse was placed upon anyone who shed innocent blood. Since Christ's blood was shed as a result of Judas's action, the money could not be returned to the coffers in the