If Jesus Foreknew Judas Would Betray Him, Why Did He Chose Him As An Apostle?

If he had never  been an Apostle he could not have fulfilled the prophecy which was based on the future reality. Jesus made no mistakes. He knew what He would do and what Judas would do.

God does not need "faith" or "hope". He is the originator and object of all true faith and hope. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not (yet) seen." Heb.11:1. 
God already owns everything in the universe, both "substance and spiritual", and hopes for nothing. He doesn't "hope", He "knows" in advance. He is our hope.    "....God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope." 1 Tim.1:1.   Instead, He has certainty of knowledge, all knowledge, omniscience. He knows that He knows that He knows everything. He does not need faith or hope, he has omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, the universe and every grain of sand, breath of air and drop of water in it. Irreversible, eternal perfection requires no hope or faith. It is absolute, infinite.

The Christian believer's faith is a mustard seed off of our Creator's infinite mustard tree of omniscient knowledge and omnipotent power. True faith and hope are unknown to the unbeliever, but the faith and hope of eternal life abides in every believer. 
"... Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:8. 
This is a mystery known only by believers, in that, "faith" converts "hope", into spiritual certainty, the "substance" of reality, before the fact, as if it were already seen and possessed... and, it is, in fact. 

Prophecy, which is simply the foreknowledge of God, of future events, given to His people through His prophets, is also certain evidence of things to come, in God's own time. True prophecy, recorded in the Bible, is certain "evidence" of future events revealed before they happen. God's prophecies, are based on God's foreknowledge of the certain fact of their eventual fulfillment, not the other way around. The fact is not based on the prophecy of it; Prophecy is based on the future fact of it. Prophecy simply reveals what is going to happen before it happens, but would happen anyway even if it had not been prophesied. God pre-knew everything He would do and what each of us would will to do.

If this be true, why did Jesus Christ choose Judas as one of His 12 Apostles, if He knew what Judas would do? Jesus knew exactly what Judas would do. Christ was with God throughout eternity and was one with God. God and Christ have known from forever that humans would be created, would sin and become fallen sinners. He knew that He would send Christ, in to the body of Jesus, to die for the sins of  all who would believe, and that Judas would betray Him. He knew all of this from eternity past and in the "Word of God", He gave prophecies of that betrayal fact even in the Old Testament, in Psm.4:9, Psm.109:8, and Zec.11:12-13. It was destined because God knew it, and let it happen as a negative force, of men's will, to contrast good from evil, God from the Devil, light from darkness, love from hate, life from death and to emphasize the divine positive of the eternal Gospel. Jesus also knew that, till the end of time, there would be traitors in and out of His churches whom Christians would have to deal with. The negative makes the positive even sweeter. Therefore, Rev.13:8 declares that Jesus was, "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

If all of creation, including the human race, was only good, pure, harmless and painless, then holiness would simply be universally normal and not exceptional, but common, the only reality. But the negative gives emphatic contrast and increased emphasis to God's salvation positive.

Yes, Jesus knew Judas, that he would betray Him to be crucified.
"Jesus said unto them, the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men." Matt.17:22.
"And as they did eat, he said ... one of you shall betray me."
Matt. 26:21.
"He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me." Matt. 26:23.
"Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doeth betray me." Matt. 26:46.

Judas was simply who and what he was... and chose to be.  Jesus knew it and was not surprised by it, and didn't expect him to be saved, but chose him because of who he was, not by mistake. It is also true that if Judas had sincerely repented of his betrayal action, and confessed Christ, he could have been saved, but Jesus would also have pre-known that too. But He knew Judas would not repent, only "regret" after the fact, and commit suicide. By Judas' presence, the force of the evil negative increased the emphasis on the holy positive of God's planned redemption.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom.8:28

The story would not be complete without it happening exactly as it did. He also knows exactly what you and I will, and will not do, but we are still responsible for making those decision and choices. RB

The Mark Of The Beast Implanted In the Skin Of His Worshipers

In their Right Hand Or Forehead ... Maybe a Government
issue, high tech tattoo or injection of a tiny micro-chip.

First, let me point out the fact that God gave His people, who were delivered by Moses,  Leviticus, which means "The Book Of The Levites" and contains the Levitical Law. In that holy book, He included this in Lev.19:28,  "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh... nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD (YHWH)." 
Intentional, permanent marking or scarring of the skin is forbidden.
Common Tattoos, though foolish, are not an unforgivable sin. 
1 John 1:9. But the "mark" of the Beast will be ... What is it?

The Hebrew word translated "marks" means cutting, into the skin.
The authority forbidding this is the LORD (YHWH), the name of GOD which the Jews dared not speak, and when written, wrote G_D, or YHWH, the unpronounceable, without vowels, name of GOD. 

The New Testament makes reference to the sanctity of our bodies which belong to our LORD, YaHWeH, and not to our own selves.

"...your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own....For ye are bought with a price...." 1Cor.6:19-20

The rise, power, and demands of the Beast:

The "Beast" (Anti-Christ), during his 7-year reign, will have miracles performed by the false prophet, and thereby, deceive the masses and cause them to worship him, receive his number, name or mark on their right hands or foreheads. Any person who rejects the mark will be disqualified from buying or selling anything (including seed, water or land). Thus, would soon starve to death. Evidently, this "mark" would be required in all financial transactions and would include each person's identification.

"And he doeth great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men .... And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles ... And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Rev. 13:13-17.

Warning to the non-Christians alive during the time of the Anti-Christ ...

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone ...." Rev.14:9-10.

The victory of Tribulation, Christian converts over the "Beast" and the song they sing ... written by Moses in Deut.31:22 and referenced here ...

"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev.15:2-4.

The first "vial" (phiale) a basin, of God's wrath, is poured out as plagues upon the Beast's followers.

"And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." Rev.16:1-2.

The termination of the Beast's reign and his being cast, with the false prophet, into the Lake of Fire 

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Rev.19:20.

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Here are some of the latest upgrades in chip implants into people's skin. RB

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Images of implanted chips in people - Bing.com

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=implanted+chips+in+people&qpvt=implanted+chips+in+people&FORM=IGRE

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Implant Chip, Track People - ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98077&page=1
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Microchips Will Be Implanted Into Healthy 

People Sooner Than You Think - Business Insider

http://www.businessinsider.com/microchip-implants-in-healthy-people-2014-7
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Is there a microchip implant in your future? Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/08/30/is-there-microchip-implant-in-your-future.html

Are The Illusions Of Grandeur And Visions Induced By Psychedelic Drugs A Religious Experience?

Maybe "religious" but not Christian ...

Throughout human history, Lucifer (Satan) has lied to humans about God, his word and his people. The lie and counterfeit religion were born in the heart of Lucifer, as an Archangel, while he was still in heaven as the chief light reflector of God's glory. There, he lied to a third of the angels, those under his authority, and presented his own counterfeit of "spiritual experience" and himself as the true God of the universe. His rebellion against God, an impossible illusion, resulted in his being cast out of God's presence, loss of his source of glorious light to reflect, and therefore his beauty. He became darkness and was ejected with his darkness into a small planet named Earth which became dark and void.

The next thing we read about Lucifer (light reflector), is his encounter with Eve in Eden, when he lied to her about God, His word, and good effects upon her if she would do what God had said not to do. By her disobeying God, Satan promised Eve the spiritual experience of becoming a god herself.

Satan is still lying to humans, who were created in the image and likeness, but not the deity, of God. Satan has, himself, created temporal parallelisms in similitude of all of God's holy and eternal things, These Satanic counterfeits extend from false gods, false Christs, false prophets, false churches, false bibles, false worshipers, false doctrines, a false heaven, false hope, and false religious experience.
False religious experience is found in many varieties, including in professing Christian churches and in many false professing "men and women of the cloth". 

One such false religious experience is claimed by certain religiously inclined, but unconverted, wolves in sheep's clothing who profess that psychedelic drugs enhance religious experience. As the social legitimacy and acceptance of the use of such drugs spreads around the world the false claims of the adherents is also spreading. Enough so that studies are now being made by previously reputable institutions. 

Psychedelic drugs are simply another counterfeit, spiritual experience. The use of these drugs is mentioned twice in the Revelation, 9:21 and 18:23. The word sorceries in these two verses, in its Greek form, is pharmakeia as in pharmacy, and means psychedelic drugs. The first reference, in 9:21, lists it with murder, fornication and theft, and indicates it needs to be repented of. The second reference in 18:23, says that by the use of these drugs (pharmakeia), all nations will be deceived and the holy light and word of Christ (Bridegroom) and His bride (church), would no longer be heard or seen by those who use them or approve of it. 

"Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Rev. 9:21  (sorceries from Greek pharmakeia).

"And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." Rev. 18:23   (Sorceries from Greek pharmakeia).          

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The following is reprinted in part from Breaking Israel News. RB 

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Can Psychedelics Enhance the Mystical, Religious Experience?

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz

“And Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aharon, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Hashem, which he commanded them not.” Leviticus 10:1 (The Israel Bible™)

In their search for possible benefits of psilocybin ‘Magic Mushrooms’, researchers at Johns Hopkins University put out a call for clergy from different faiths to determine if this natural psychedelic can help man connect with God. Rabbis, even those who have benefited in the past from this experience, are reluctant, highlighting that the true ‘God experience’ cannot be confined to a laboratory.

After nearly 50 years of a ban on studying psychedelic drugs and marijuana, scientists are beginning to discover that psychoactive substances bear many physiological and psychological benefits for mankind. Two researchers at Johns Hopkins Bayview, Roland Griffiths and Matthew Johnson, have been studying the powerful effects of psilocybin for over a decade. They discovered the natural substance is effective in reducing depression and end-of-life anxiety associated with terminal cancers. Psilocybin was also found to be effective in helping end addiction.

Many of the study’s participants reported feelings of “unity … an interconnectedness of all things … sacredness of life,” and over 60 percent reported it as the most meaningful experience of their lives. Significantly, those with the most success quitting smoking or resolving symptoms of depression all reported high levels of this mystical aspect. The researchers expanded their study and are now investigating whether psilocybin has another potential use: to deepen the spiritual experience. The experiment involves clergymen ingesting psilocybin in a relaxed and controlled setting and reporting on their experience.

Yes, There Is A Land ... Where We'll Never Grow Old

I Heard It On Good Authority....

The best thing about growing old is ... We are closer to Heaven than we have ever been ... If we know Jesus ... Our Lord and Savior. He made us a promise when He said,   "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:3-5.

1. All of you old Christians remember this great old hymn:
2. 
   
3. I have heard of a land on the faraway strand,
   ’Tis a beautiful home of the soul;
   Built by Jesus on high, where we never shall die,
   ’Tis a land where we never grow old.
4. 
   
5. In that beautiful home where we’ll never more roam,
6. We shall be in the sweet by and by;
7. Happy praise to the King through eternity sing,
8. ’Tis a land where we never shall die.
9. When our work here is done and the life-crown is won,
   And our troubles and trials are o’er;
   All our sorrow will end, and our voices will blend,
   With the loved ones who’ve gone on before.

Never grow old, never grow old,
In a land where we’ll never grow old;
Never grow old, never grow old,
In a land where we’ll never grow old. 
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Now hear it and sing along with the Gaithers
Here....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqekNqVfRgM

I call it Salvation Nation and it is our Christian 
Destination. RB

Flying On God's Swift Winds Of Time To His Salvation Nation

The Christian's Eternal DestineNation

Sailing through this trackless sea...
Just Jesus, my faith, and faulty me...
My yesterdays lived and left behind...
God's words, my compass, all aligned...
Each second gaining an unused now...
Flying, surviving, only God knows how...
Through each eventful, passing day...
I look ahead through the pelting spray...
And yield to whatever God will allow...
Just over each dawn's horizon brow...
Flying on His swift winds of time...
It's fearful, joyful, regretful, sublime...
Over the cold and windblown brine...
My sail inhales its furious whine...
But God has promised my preservation...
To get me home to faith's DestineNation...
Safe harbor from life's stormy deep...
At peace forever in His Holy keep...
In that glorious, celestial, city nation...
Prepared for all who have His salvation.

Psalms 115:1 ... Rayburn Blair

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise ....For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  Heb.11:8-10 

"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." Rev.21:14

God's Salvation Nation