Do you think that Judas, if he hadn’t handed Christ over, would have gone to heaven or hell?
Jesus said: “Verily I say unto you, that one of you –> shall <– betray me.” (Matthew 26:21)
It had to happen that way, that the scripture would be fulfilled. If Judas had some choice in the matter, changed his mind, or anything remotely like that – it would have made Jesus a false prophet and a liar. I don’t see there is any question to the tune of ‘if he had done this, or if he had not done that…’
Jesus said: “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you –> is <– a devil?” (John 6:70)
I notice Jesus states the fact here. He is not busy telling him to repent, or giving him a sermon, trying to persuade him to do different. “…IS a devil” is present tense. It’s not that he would become a devil if he makes a bad choice somewhere down the road. He already IS one.
This is also a lesson in deception! The Apostles did not know which one of them Jesus spoke of – in that sense, they were deceived by Judas. Likewise today. Somebody might come to church for a long time, and seem to be right with the Lord. Men go by what they see: but hearts are naked before the Lord. The tares must grow with the wheat, before they are made manifest, and plucked out.
Amen!