RUSSELL SANDERS

4-3-2025

JUDAS ISCARIOT – PART 2

JUDAS’ BACKGROUND

______________________

In Jesus’ time, a Hebrew was often identified by the geographical name of the city, which was associated with their family, even if the individual no longer lived there. Examples would be “Jesus of Nazareth” or “Saul of Tarsus” or “Mary of Bethany.” Such was also the case with “Judas Iscariot.”

“Iscariot” is commonly thought to have been the derivation of the original Hebrew “Ish Kerioth.” The word “Ish” means “man” and was first applied by God to Adam. “Isha” was “woman” as applied to Eve. Kerioth was a city, so Is-cariot or “Ish Kerioth” means “man of Kerioth.” Where was Kerioth (Cariot)? It was at the far south border of Judah ten miles south of Hebron and about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is where Judas’ family was from, except they had moved away to be close to Jerusalem.

His father was Simon Iscariot, called in scripture “Simon the leper.” (John 12:4.) Simon had been a leper, but was fully recovered and was now “clean,” however he would always be known and identified by it. It could be one reason why he left Kerioth. He was a very devout man who wanted to study the Torah (the Mosaic Law) and the best teachers were in Jerusalem. He purchased a home in Bethany which was only two miles outside of Jerusalem and moved his family there so that he could receive the best religious training possible. Bethany therefore became Judas’ new home near Jerusalem and far away from the crude Galileans.

Simon’s move paid off well. He became a respected Pharisee in the Jerusalem area. This means that his son Judas also received the best education that a Pharisee could provide.

The Pharisees and other Jews expected a Messiah who would throw off Roman rule and establish Israel as a free and independent nation forever. Messiah would become their earthly king with an earthly throne in Jerusalem. It is almost certain that Judas, son of a Pharisee, would be totally convinced of that and unlikely to change his mind about it.

Although the “less schooled” Galileans originally thought the same thing, they would have a more open mind about it since they had not been heavily schooled in the Pharisee’s dogma.

This radical difference of background between the son of the Pharisee and the “blue collar worker” Galileans would ultimately lead them to differing responses during Jesus’ “passion week.”

Tomorrow we will look at Judas time spent with Jesus and the others during the years of Jesus’ active ministry.

HELEN SANDERS

4-3-2025

REST

___________________

In Hebrews chapter 4 Paul writes about entering into the “rest” of God. He speaks of the Hebrews in the wilderness that did not enter into God’s rest because of their unbelief. Unbelief is motivated by fear my friend. It means you do not trust God to do the work that is necessary to bring your petitions to pass. When we do rest it means to get quiet and trust God no matter what the circumstances are.

Verses 9-11 say, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

Think of that rest like this: Picture a baby that is crying. It just cannot stop. Then their daddy or momma picks it up and holds it in their arms, calming that baby until it stops crying. Often the child will go to sleep, forgetting why they were crying.

This is what God wants us to do. He wants us to let go of all the things that hinder us from trusting Him, and rest in His arms like that baby, trusting that God is working things out, in his timing.  

Many think if they do not rest that they are displeasing God, but the opposite is true. There is no one that does not need to rest from their labor. God cannot use a tired mind and body like he can a well-rested one.

Never feel guilty that you take time to rest in the natural, and in the spiritual. God will be there with you when you do.

Someone needs to hear this again today to understand what you are going through

1-15-2022

PROPHETIC WORD

AS GIVEN TO HELEN SANDERS

For I have set you apart for this season saith the Lord, and I would say, come to the winepress and I will show you how the wine is made. Do you see the grapes my child? They are fully ripe and have been harvested; but now is the time for the crushing. You see, my child, there is no pouring out of the wine without the crushing of the grapes. The grapes are the fruit in your life that I am pleased with, but now it is time for the fruit to be crushed so the pure wine of the vine can come forth. Do you notice that the grapes are put there by the ones that have grown them? Do you notice how they are poured onto the press? Do you think the grapes realize that this is the time for change? No, my child for if they knew they would escape the husbandman’s hand and would flee. They are harvested for this hour and for this purpose. Watch closely as the press begins. It will begin slowly for if it was speedily the grapes would fall from the press. Then as the process begins, the crushing becomes more intense, and the hulls of the grapes are sifted from the pure fruit of the vine. So, it will be with you, my child. You will see this hour as something very unpleasant as the crushing away of those things has to happen to bring forth the true fruit of the vine in your life. As it is crushed, it changes the way the grape is viewed. It no longer is plush full and ready to be eaten. For you, the grapes of my field were chosen to be the precious wine that can only come through the crushing. I will take you now to the olive press my child, and you shall see how the oil comes forth. It too only comes forth through the crushing of the fruit, but what comes forth is the anointing oil that brings forth the anointing in your life. So too, shall the things that need to be crushed to bring forth the anointing, will happen with you my child, for I long to pour my anointing out upon you, but it will only come through the crushing. Oh, you have the fruit, but the fruit must be crushed to bring forth the anointing. Now that you have seen the press, my child, it is up to you to go through this process, but I can assure you that the outcome will be far more valuable than the pain of the crushing. You shall see things change in your life as the wine and the oil are poured out from you and into others. Will you be as one that surrenders and says not my will but thine oh Lord be done? If so, my child be prepared for this season of crushing. It will begin slowly but will become very intense even so that your entire being would cry out to me and ask why I have forsaken you, but you must realize this must take place to be used as the precious oil and wine for my kingdom, saith the Lord.

DEBRA TOPE

SEER/INTERCESSOR

Thursday Thought For Today

How Does A Father Love His Daughter?

As I was watching a movie, I noticed the interaction between the father and his daughter. You could tell it was a special relationship between them. As I didn’t have that special relationship with my dad, I had to learn from my Heavenly Father.

The first thing He wanted me to know was how much He loved me. He showed me that He created me and knew me as I was being formed in my mother’s womb. He told me over and over that I was special and He loved me; even in those times I didn’t know how to love myself. And in those times when I needed a father’s love, He let me climb up in His lap and just be held.

Maybe you can relate to something I have said. There is more for you. Your Heavenly Father thinks you are the best. You might have even blown it and believe there is no way God can help you or forgive you; let alone love you. But if you have asked Him into your heart, He is there waiting for you to come to Him.

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Last but not the least, Revelation says it all.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

APOSTLE PAT MURRAY

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Just be truthful; Eat healthy and do your best to love everyone unconditionally. Be grateful for little or for much. Always do good to others…Even if they never do one good thing for you. Try and have some heartfelt belly laughs and do it often; For The Bible says that a merry heart will do you good like a medicine. Remember to be kind; Give often and do it generously…But look for nothing in return. Be happy and live life to the fullest. Life is short; And you never know what day will be your last. So live your life each day in a way that is pleasing to God; And always try to be a living testimony to everyone you meet. Many of those people are carefully watching you; Even when you’re not aware of it. Yes, one day whether you believe it or not Jesus Christ will come and we will all stand before God. So trust Him and remember God is your Judge; Your ONLY Judge…Although you meet many people who think they somehow have the right to judge you…NOT so as NO ONE has that kind of authority, power or ability. Just live right every day; In a way that you would be ready to stand before God on the judgement day. After all I know you want to hear Him say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joys of the Lord, your God." OR will you hear these awful words? “And then l say unto you, I never knew you. Depart from Me, you that work iniquity." Which of these words will YOUR life produce? Now think on these things and make sure that you’re prepared TODAY to stand before God with clean hands and a pure heart; For tomorrow may be too LATE. God bless each of you and be certain that you know in your heart…”Where you will spend eternity”…For it is surely coming to us all. Now I pray the perfect peace of God that passes all human understanding will rest on you and abide in you forevermore in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior and our soon coming King. Amen.

BARBARA TOWER

PROPHETESS

The pressing for the oil or anointing will not be wasted, because so much had to be pressed out for your assignments from God that will need it.

The Gardener! HCC

What do you see when you look at the World,

The earth! Do you see the Gardener of the World?

How about if he becomes the Gardener of your

Life? Let God landscape your travels; the ups,

The downs, ins and outs, good days and bad.

He’s a great Gardener, and this Gardener knows

How to love. He plants seeds of love. The flowers

You see, the apples on a tree, One for you,

And one for me. Each landscape, of Valleys,

Hills, Mountains, are landscapes of awesome

Beauty. Smile and know this Gardener,

Your Jesus. Be patient for this Gardener to work

In your life.

James 1 verse 21     James 5 verse7

To see more of HCC's beautiful poems on YouTube click here