[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

I meant, "Do you think Judas had no other choice than to betray the LORD ?" Of course, this question also implies "Do you think Judas had an opportunity to be saved and enter into eternal life ?" These questions can be simply answered with "Yes" or "No."

The obvious answer is: Yes, Judas had both choice and opportunity to be saved, as is every one. But the question is not choice and opportunity, but rather willingness. Does man have the willingness to truly place their faith in Christ without the Holy Spirit? The answer is no. The debate in this thread, though I think I've been the only one debating it, as I keep getting accused of denying that "faith" even exists, is whether any whom God reveals Himself to can either refuse or be lost, and whether this effectual "revelation" is universal.

As for the other point about the promise, I understand it as Judas initially came to faith and participated in the ministry of the Apostles.

Judas was always accounted a "thief" and a "devil," and is never referred to as actually being one of Christ's. Those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, though we are sinners, can never fall away, nor behave as willful sinners as Judas did.

Joh_12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."

The choosing of Christ here does not imply their salvation, as the giving of the Father to the Son is separate in His teaching, and is defined always in absolute terms. Either you come to Christ an are risen up, because He will lose "none" of those who are given to Him, or you are not.

[af_vet_1981]

Judas was always accounted a "thief" and a "devil," and is never referred to as actually being one of Christ's.

Just looking at the textual evidence it seems first mention of Judas being a devil is in John 6 which would make it in or near Jerusalem the end of his second year of ministry, the Passover before his last. John 12 and Luke 22 are first mention of his having been a thief, so I assume Judas made his decision at the time of John 6. Judas was one of Messiah's chosen Apostles. He called him and he responded, but he did not persevere and he chose to betray him. I see free will involved here. Of course I could be wrong, and we will find out.

[af_vet_1981]

The choosing of Christ here does not imply their salvation,

True, we have the parable of the sower. One must persevere in the faith to be saved. Being in full communion with the saints and loving the brethren is a very good indication.