Judging Angels
Thanks for your question. Yes, the Bible does say born again believers will judge the angels.
1 Corinthians 6:3:
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
In context, Paul was discussing the problem with lawsuits among believers and how we should be able to settle these matters in the local church. Then, as a passing thought, he mentions we will one day judge angels. It appears Paul believed this was common knowledge among believers, but even today many don’t realize this. What is unclear is to which angels Paul was referring. This verse doesn’t indicate whether Paul was referring to the judging of the fallen angels or the “good” angels, those that did not follow Lucifer when he rebelled against God.
It is clear from scripture that the fallen angels are awaiting a judgment day as are all humans.
2 Peter 2:4:
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
Jude 1:6:
And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
The Bible is equally clear on who the Judge will be in the last day.
John 5:2:
For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son (Jesus)…
John 5:27:
…and has given Him (Jesus) authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
Since all judgment has been given to the Son, why does did Paul say believers will judge angels? It is important to note that the Church is Christ’s body. We are a part of Him and share in His duties.
Acts 1:1:
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach…
Here we see that Jesus’ three year ministry was just the beginning of His ministry. When Jesus left the earth, He instructed the Church to carry on. The book of Acts is the record of the continuation of Jesus’ ministry—His acts and teachings accomplished through the body of Christ—the Church.
One day, Jesus will return to rule and reign on the earth for a thousand years, and we as His Church will rule and reign with Him.
Revelation 5:10:
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.
We reign because we are connected the King of King and the Lord of Lords. We are joint-heirs together with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
Even today the Church has authority over Satan and evil spirits.
Ephesians 1:20-22:
…He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…
It is not certain, but it is very possible believers will have some role in the judging of the fallen angels because they were placed under our feet as the body of the Christ.
However, there is another area in which we could possibly judge the fallen angels.
Matthew 12:41-42:
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Although Jesus is the Judge on the Judgment Day, Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba will rise up and condemn the generation of Jews that lived in the days of Jesus. Even though the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites were Gentiles, their actions of faith will ultimately reveal the unbelief of those Jews. In a similar way, the Bible seems to indicate that the Church will rise up in the judgment of the fallen angels and condemn them one day simply because we believed in and accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
There is no mention of the “good” angels having a judgment awaiting them; however, it is very possible they will be judged because it seems God judges all of His creation. Genesis records that after each day of creation, God judged His work and declared it to be “good.” God’s own Word is tried. (Psalm 12:6) The faith God gives us is tried. (1 Peter 1:7) Therefore, it is reasonable to believe the “good” angels also await judgment.
I want to make it clear that the Bible really does not specifically detail whether or not all angels will be judged or who will judge them. The Bible does teach that the Church has a great future and will carry out the work of Jesus Christ throughout eternity.
Rick McFarland
Director/Singles Director
Real Answers bookstore
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