The Damnation of Judas and the Salvation of the Thief - Lyrics - Vengeance Rising

Vengeance Rising was an American Christian thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Fronted by vocalist Roger Martinez, they originally formed as Vengeance in 1987, but changed their name in 1989 to avoid conflict with another band from the Netherlands. Band members Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Roger Dale Martin, and Glenn Mancaruso left following Once Dead and formed the band Die Happy. Roger Martinez stayed on to record two more studio albums, but aside from him, Vengeance Rising's lineup changed for each subsequent album. While the group was a ground breaking Christian metal band, today Vengeance Rising is known for vocalist Martinez's turning from Christianity to Satanism to atheism, since he has continuously done interviews about it. AllMusic describes Vengeance Rising's history as "one of the most entertaining and bizarre stories in the realm of heavy metal."

Let us now look upon, a situation from to learn Judas and the thief, one to heaven, one to burn Not too long ago, and in a land not far away One was saved one was lost, this is history Judas was religious, stay away from that mask The thief was truly guilty, and here is where it's at Once you understand that, guilty before God all we are You can receive forgiveness, in repentance at the cross Judas was never a true friend, just pushing his own glory Smiling in your face, stabbing you in the back, "doing this for God" is his story Sitting on that paper throne, elevated oh so high Well now the match's been lit, later days to the empire of lies The thief on the other hand knew a wrong from a right Doing wrong much of the time and sometimes doing right But he recognized the truth when he spoke to Jesus Christ His deeds had nothing to do with it, he'd never earn heaven as a right The damnation of Judas and the Salvation of the thief As for Judas in the scheme of things, as this point it's just a matter of time Hanging from the rope he spoke, the witness does not lie The facts are in and the veredicts out - and it cannot be denied He sealed his fate with and act of friendship - betrayer - no friend of mine The thief in the situation, knowing he deserved to die Called out to Immanuel, Lord remember I I come to you, with nothing more than the wretched man I am Guilty in my iniquities deserving only to be damned It's for your sins I am Crucified, the Spirit confirmed time and again The thief in his pain had joy in his heart - forgiveness it was his On his way to heaven he still had to deal the situation Understand that you bring nothing in repentance which merits salvation The damnation of Judas and the Salvation of the thief