Judas Iscariot is the False Prophet (Rev 16:13)

Judas Iscariot is the False Prophet (Rev 16:13)

The disembodied spirit of Judas Iscariot is the False Prophet identified by John in Revelation 16:13, and the spiritual head of all disembodied spirit sons of perdition in the last days. Satan (the Dragon) and Cain (the Beast) are also spiritual heads of all other disembodied and unembodied sons of perdition. These three alone are identified in scripture as perdition. (D&C 76:26; JST Gen 5:10; John 17:12) However, the status of Judas as a son of perdition is a debatable point among scholars and leaders of the LDS Church.

Elder John Widtsoe and Joseph F. Smith, for example, share the view of Bruce R. McConkie, who said:

“Only Judas has been lost; and even he, though a son or follower of Satan, who is perdition, as we have heretofore seen, is probably not a son of perdition in the sense of eternal damnation.” (The Mortal Messiah, Vol. 4, 112-113)

On the other hand, Elder James E. Talmage said:

“Whatever the opinion of modern critics as to the good character of Judas, we have the testimony of John, who for nearly three years had been in close companionship with him, that the man was a thief [John 12:6]; and Jesus referred to him as a devil [John 6:70], and as ‘the son of perdition’ [John 17:12].” (Jesus the Christ, 602)

In general, people tend to think that Judas did not become a son of perdition because he did not have the Gift of the Holy Ghost such that he could commit the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. (See Matt 12:31-32) Others say that he repented after his betrayal indicating that he did not fall so low that he could not be forgiven. (See Matt 27:3-5)

Judas is a Son of Perdition

Joseph Smith said that receiving the Holy Ghost and then sinning against Him is just one way to commit the unpardonable sin. (HC, Vol 6, 314) Doctrine and Covenants 76:43 adds that sons of perdition are also those “who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.” The Father did reveal to Judas that Jesus is the Christ. All twelve original apostles shared this testimony from the Father. (Matt 16:13-17; John 6:67-69)

The unpardonable sin can also be committed by those “who shed innocent blood, or consent to it.” (Brigham Young, JD, Vol. 10, 327; D&C 76:35-37) Judas fell into this category when he betrayed the Savior and put him to an open shame. President George Q. Cannon said: “To sin against the Holy Ghost, or to shed innocent blood, is a most dreadful crime, the worst a man can commit and one that cannot be forgiven. Judas Iscariot was guilty of this.” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, 453)

A year before his betrayal, Jesus said that Judas was a devil. (John 6:70-71) Jesus also called Judas a son of perdition in John 17:12, and again in 3 Nephi 27:32. Mormon echoed these words of Christ and called Judas a son of perdition in 3 Nephi 29:7. Based on these scriptures, there can be little doubt that Judas became a son of perdition who now stands at the head of all latter-day apostates to the truth. As a son of perdition‒and only one of three mentioned in scripture‒Judas qualified himself to stand at the head of all apostates to the truth in the last days. He stands opposite Joseph Smith as the True Prophet of the Last days.

For a deeper dive into the status of Judas as a son of perdition and a comparison between Judas and Cain‒who is also perdition‒check out my podcast from May 31, 2026.

May 31, 2026 — Podcast

June 2, 2026 — Podcast