John 13:21:30
II Thessalonians 2:1-12

John 13:21-30:

21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

II Thessalonians 2:1-12:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Let's first take a look at the time frame of these scriptures in John. It was shortly before two of the greatest events in the life of our Lord. It was just before His death, which was followed by His Resurrection. It was also just before Judas hung himself.

Now look at II Thessalonians 2:3: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.

I believe that day is a day similar to the day we read about in John.

I would like for you to notice John 13:21; "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you (one of those who were with Him) shall betray me."

Notice again, II Thess. 2:3 speaking of the :falling away." Notice: you can not "fall away" from Christ except you have been with Him and He is the Word.

Once again, back to II Thess 2:3. In this scripture, there are four things spoken of: No.1: That Day. No. 2: Falling away. No 3: Man of Sin. No. 4: Perdition.

Before we go too deep into Ii Thess, let's look at the days of Judas to see if they compare to this endtime.

First of all, who was Judas? Well, it is true that he was one of the disciples of Christ. A disciple is one who follows. Here in Wyoming, we have many cattle but we also have lots of wolves. Many times you will see wolves following cattle. Could you call them "True disciples" of those cattle? I know better.

Many times I have asked people if they are Christian and they say " I follow Christ." Yes, but why? Just following Christ does not make you a Christian any more than it makes cattle out of wolves.

Look at Judas. He was never a Christian though he did follow Christ.

John 6:70-71: 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.

Notice, our Lord never said one of you will become a devil, but rather, is right now, at this time, a devil. This was spoken in John chapter six, and Satan did not manifest himself till John Chapter 13; Nevertheless, I believe Satan was in Judas from the beginning.

Notice also, up till the time Satan began to manifest himself, Judas walked away from our Lord. Where did he go? Not to those who made no claim on our Lord, but rather to the religious leaders of that day.

See, it was the religious leaders who were the enemies of our Lord, and that was where Judas went.

Judas was that "Man of sin" who "fell away" from our Lord in John 13: "Therefore he was the "son of perdition." Who is this perdition? Well if we are a real Christian, God is our Father, if not, then it is "Satan." No man can be without a father and there are only two Fathers, God or Satan. So, Satan is Perdition who is the father of the "man of sin" who " fell away" from Christ. Hope you see it.

Now, we are going a little deeper into our scriptures: What was the thing which made Judas "fall away" and where did he get it from?

Notice that when Peter saw John (known as the Beloved) leaning on the bosom, he beckoned him that he should ask our Lord who it was that should betray Him.

Our Lord told the "Beloved" that it was the one to whom He would give a "sop" when He had dipped it.

Now all this took place shortly after the supper and footwashing. No doubt they were still sitting around the table when this took place. So the thing which Judas Iscariot received came from the Lord Himself.

There may be some who doubt that our Lord would do a thing like that, but please read Romans 11:8: "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Notice: There were two things which this "sop" did which came from our Lord. First, it identified Judas Iscariot as an enemy of our Lord to all the Beloved. Second; it drove Judas Iscariot from the camp of the Beloved and into the camp of the enemy.

Who were the main enemies of our Lord in that day? Was it not the ministry? It sure was!!! What did Judas Iscariot do? Why, he joined THAT ministry, for many months Judas Iscariot had walked in the camp of the Lord even as there are many today who walk in the camp of the Lord. He walked with the Lord even though he NEVER belonged to the Lord. Read again John 6: 70-71:

So, we see there was two different seeds in our Lord's camp in THAT day, just as there are in THIS DAY.

Matthew 13:24-30: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Just as there had to came a separation in that Day, so must it be in THIS DAY.

Acts 1:15-26; 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Look closely at verse 25. He had to "fall" so he could go to his place. Then Judas Iscariot was OUT OF PLACE as long as he walked in the Lord's camp, and SO ARE THOSE MINISTERS TODAY!!!!

Just as there was a separation in the days of Judas Iscariot, so must it also happen today.

What was it that brought the separation in that day? The "giving of the sop." Where did the" sop" come from? IT came FROM our Lord.

Let me say it!!! SO WILL IT BE IN THIS DAY!!! Our Lord will give a "sop" (delusion) to His enemies which will identify them to His Beloved. II Thess 2:7-11: 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

What is TRUTH? You are reading this message: Is that Truth? No!!! While it is a true statement of fact, yet it is not Truth. Truth is no a statement of fact, but rather, Truth is THE PERSON CHRIST!!!

St. John 14:6; "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

While Judas Iscariot loved many things about the Truth, "Christ", he had no love for the Truth Himself. He loved the good things he could get and this was the thing he loved about our Lord's camp. AS it was in that day, so is it today. There are many who are in our Lord's camp, not because they love Him, but only because they love the things which they receive from Christ.

ARE YOU ONE OF THESE??? THINK ABOUT IT!!!

No notice, because they have not a love for the Truth (Christ) they are given a "sop" (delusion) which causes them to believe a (the) lie, and this lie drives them from the camp of the Lord and into the camp of the enemy, and beyond to death just as it did Judas Iscariot. This is what happens to this group. They keep going from worse to worse WITHOUT ever getting back to Christ. True, they may have feelings of sorrow for what they have done, but notice, this sorrow does not drive him back to Christ but rather, back to the camp of the enemy and then go to death.

But what of those who find themselves in the group of the "Beloved"? They end up in the "Upper Room" where they receive the "Power" of God, the Holy Ghost", and do great exploits for our God. They know their God shall do great exploits.

This road is not easy. There will be times when we will flee from Him, nevertheless, we also will get to that "Upper Room" power and do, by His Grace, great things for Him.

Let us look at Revelation 17:11-18 and then we will close. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Notice that those ten horns are really ten kings, and when this beast comes to his power, they also receive power WITH, or at the same time, his. These ten kings will give their power and strength unto the beast and make was against the Lamb, Christ. Here is the thing I really want you to notice; Those SAME ten horns which had given their power and strength unto the beast will HATE that beast and THEY are the ones who will destroy her.

Why did they give their power unto the beast and fight against The Lamb? Because their eyes had not come open to the Truth.

Notice, when they made war against the Lamb, they were overcome. How? In the same way you would win a debate. If you win the debate, you have overcome.

These ten horns were much like the Apostle Paul before his eyes were opened to Truth, he gave himself to the High Priest and fought against Christ. But as soon as his eyes were opened, he hated THAT High Priest "System" and destroyed it. Even as Paul in that day, we have many today who have given their strength (voice) against Christ but who will, when their eyes are opened, join Christ. May it be Today!!!!

Rev. Whatley

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