64    The Bible and the Future of the World 

will be lax in prayer and self denial. They will be like those who are asleep, 

lacking in attentiveness and responsiveness (to God's will). 

Judas Iscariot's Betrayal of Christ (Mark 14:10 11, 14:43 44) 

     Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests 

in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it they were glad, and 

promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.  

(Mark 14:10 11). 

     And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the 

twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests 

and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, 

saying, `The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away 

safely.'   (Mark 14:43 44). 

    Judas' betrayal of Christ Jesus at the beginning of Jesus' great suffering is 

a foreshadowing of some Christians' betrayal of the Church at the beginning 

of the Church's great suffering. Even some leaders of the Church will betray 

Christ by betraying the Church at that time.  

    Do not be surprised at this. One of the very Apostles chosen by Jesus 

became a traitor. So also will traitors be found within the Church during that 

time of great turmoil and suffering. This was also the case during other times 

of persecution in the Church's history. Some Christians fell away from 

Christ and betrayed their brothers and sisters in Christ in order to avoid 

suffering or to gain something. 

The Sword or the Cross (John 18:10 11) 

     Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's 

slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to 

Peter, `Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the 

Father has given me?'   (John 18:10 11). 

    Peter's action represents the actions of some leaders of the Church, 

including perhaps the Pope, at the time of the Church's great suffering. 

Some Church leaders and some individual Christians will consider and 

briefly attempt to use violence to defend the Church against Her enemies, to 

prevent the Church from suffering greatly. They fail. God wants the Church 

to enter into Her Passion and Crucifixion. 

    Jesus' words and His act of healing Malchus' ear show that the Church 

should not try to use weapons of violence to prevent the Church's great 

suffering. The Church will not be able to use violence to prevent the years of 

great suffering. God wants the Church to follow Jesus Christ into the 

Passion and the Crucifixion.