Exploring the Meaning and Implications of Judging Angels

Let’s consider 1 Corinthians 6:3, which states, “Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!”

While this verse is often interpreted as believers judging or ruling over angels in a future heavenly context, its exact meaning and scope are debated among scholars and theologians.

However, for those who believe humans were created for a special purpose, this scripture is not puzzling. Judging angels is seen as part of God’s intention when creating humans in His image and after His likeness (Genesis 1:26).

The question arises: why did God create humans both “in His image” and “after His likeness”? The answer lies in God’s dual purposes: one related to being created in His image, and another embodied in being created after His likeness. These phrases are not redundant but reveal distinct aspects of God’s plan for humanity.

While understanding the intricacies of God’s plan may not be fully grasped, what’s essential to recognize is that He has a purpose for humanity, created in His image, after likeness.

When Paul states, “we shall judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6:3), it’s a testament to the significance of humanity’s role in God’s plan. Those who dispute or struggle with this concept have yet to fully comprehend the awe-inspiring, wonderful, and incomprehensible nature of God. His ways are unfathomable, and His wisdom is beyond human understanding (Romans 11:33-34).

The very fact that humans can question, argue, or dispute God’s words demonstrates the uniqueness of humanity, created in His image, after his likeness. This capacity for critical thinking and discernment is a testament to the fearfully and wonderfully made nature of humanity (Psalm 139:14).

While we may not fully grasp God’s intent or plan, we can trust in His sovereignty and purpose for humanity, which surpasses human comprehension.

Before delving into the concept of judging angels, it’s essential to understand the nature and hierarchy of angels in the biblical context. Angels are spiritual beings created by God, serving as messengers and agents of His will. They possess different ranks and roles, including principalities, powers, and ministering spirits (Ephesians 1:21, Hebrews 1:14).

In the New Testament, Paul addresses various aspects of angels, emphasizing their subordination to God and the supremacy of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:3, he states that believers will judge angels, highlighting the future role of saints in evaluating the actions of these spiritual beings. This judgment is not about condemning angels but rather about acknowledging their accountability to God’s people.

Paul also combats the early Gnostic tendencies in Asia Minor by prohibiting the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18). This warning is reiterated in Revelation 22:8-9, where the apostle John is admonished not to worship the angel who revealed the apocalyptic vision. Instead, John is instructed to worship God alone.

The Bible describes angels as “elect” (1 Timothy 5:21), signifying their inclusion in God’s divine counsel and purpose. Peter emphasizes Jesus’ supremacy over all angelic beings (1 Peter 3:22), while Hebrews 1:14 portrays angels as ministering spirits serving the saints.

In the book of Revelation, the “angels of the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20) are believed to be guardian angels or personifications of these churches. This understanding highlights the importance of recognizing the different roles and responsibilities within the angelic realm.

In general, angels are messengers of God, carrying out His will and purposes. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between righteous and evil angels, as well as their various ranks and functions. By understanding the biblical perspective on angels, we can better appreciate their role in God’s plan and avoid misconceptions or misguided worship.

One of the most commonly misinterpreted Bible verses is Hebrews 1:1-2, which states, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” (NKJV) This verse is often misunderstood to mean that God no longer speaks through angels or prophets, but only through Jesus Christ. However, a closer examination of the text and its historical context reveals a different story.

The writer of Hebrews was addressing the early Christian community, emphasizing the superiority of Jesus Christ over angelic beings (Hebrews 1:4-14). The phrase “in these last days” refers to the time period in which the writer and their audience lived, not some distant future. Similarly, when Paul wrote about being changed “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52), he believed Christ’s return was imminent, just like the writer of Hebrews.

While Jesus Christ is indeed God, who presides over the heavenly host (Matthew 26:53, Luke 2:13-14), His incarnation did not render angels obsolete. Angels continue to serve God and carry out His will, although their roles and responsibilities may have evolved (Hebrews 1:14, Revelation 5:11-14).

It’s essential to recognize that God’s communication with humanity is not limited to a single method or era. Throughout history, God has spoken through various means, including angels, prophets, and directly through Jesus Christ. While Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s will (Hebrews 1:2-3), God continues to work through multiple channels, including angels, to accomplish His purposes.

And, Hebrews 1:1-2 highlights the significance of Jesus Christ as the culmination of God’s communication with humanity, but it does not preclude the ongoing role of angels in God’s plan. By understanding the historical context and nuances of this passage, we can better appreciate the complexity and richness of God’s interactions with humanity.

The phrase “angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” is a reference to a vision described in the Bible, specifically in John 1:51. Here, Jesus speaks to Nathanael, promising him that he will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”. This imagery is often interpreted as a sign of Jesus being the mediator between heaven and earth, the bridge through which the divine and human connect. It also echoes the story of Jacob’s ladder from the Old Testament, where Jacob dreams of a ladder set on earth with its top reaching to heaven and the angels of God ascending and descending on it (Genesis 28:12). This connection between the two testaments highlights the continuity of God’s plan and the fulfillment of the prophecies in Jesus Christ.

In this context, angels have remained consistent in their role and nature, but our understanding of their activities has evolved. While the Old Testament era didn’t provide explicit details about angels’ movements between Heaven and Earth, we now have a deeper understanding of their interactions with humanity.

A notable exception is Jacob’s vision in Genesis 28:12-15, where he saw angels ascending and descending a ladder, symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth. This vision foreshadowed the revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate bridge between the divine and human realms (John 1:51). Although the Old Testament didn’t fully elaborate on angelic movements, Jacob’s dream hinted at the dynamic interplay between the spiritual and physical realms.

In the New Testament era, we gain a clearer understanding of angels’ roles and activities, including their interactions with Jesus during His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43). The Bible also reveals angels’ involvement in the lives of believers (Hebrews 1:14, Acts 5:19-20) and their continued service to God’s purposes.

While our understanding of angels has expanded, their essential nature and function remain unchanged. They continue to serve as messengers, protectors, and agents of God’s will, operating in both the spiritual and physical realms.

Therefore, in the present era, God’s communication with humanity is exclusively mediated through Jesus Christ. Just as the Bible declares that all creation was made through Him, for Him, and by Him (Colossians 1:16-17), so too does all divine communication flow through Him. Jesus Christ is the singular gateway, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), through which all interactions between God and humanity are facilitated.

This includes angelic beings, who also traverse the spiritual realms through Jesus Christ. As messengers of God’s will, angels operate under His authority and guidance, carrying out their duties in service to Him. In essence, all access to the Father, whether for humans or angels, is granted solely through the mediating role of Jesus Christ.

This profound truth underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s plan of redemption and communication. As the ultimate High Priest and Intercessor (Hebrews 4:14-16), Jesus Christ bridges the gap between the divine and human realms, ensuring that all interactions with God are filtered through His loving grace and wisdom. By acknowledging Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity, we can better appreciate the unity and harmony that exist within the Godhead and the spiritual realm.

And so, angels continue to fulfill their purpose as intended by God, and their number is likely vast, surpassing the human population. This is evident in the fact that saints will judge angels, suggesting a significant number of angels under each saint’s jurisdiction. However, it’s important to note that the term ‘judging angels’ might have a different meaning altogether.

Notably, saints undergo rigorous training and testing on earth, which distinguishes them from angels. While angels are sinless and don’t face temptations like humans do, saints are highly esteemed due to their ability to persevere through trials and emerge victorious. This process of refinement and growth enables saints to attain a higher status than angels, who don’t experience the same kind of spiritual challenges.

The Church, as the body of Christ, plays a vital role in facilitating communication between the spiritual and earthly realms. Just as angels ascend and descend upon Jesus Christ, the ladder of Heaven (John 1:51), they also interact with both realms through the Body of Christ. This profound mystery is grasped only by those who are spiritual and filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

The ladder extends from the foot to the top, much like the body stretches from the head to the soles of the feet, and vice versa. Angels traverse between Heaven and Earth upon the body of Christ like they ascend and descend a ladder.

Through the Church, angels communicate with believers and facilitate God’s will on earth. As messengers of God, they minister to the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and execute divine justice (Acts 12:23). The Body of Christ, comprising all true believers, serves as a conduit for angelic ministry, enabling them to navigate the spiritual and physical realms.

This mystical connection between the Church and angelic beings is rooted in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). As the ultimate Mediator, He bridges the gap between Heaven and earth, allowing angels to traverse both realms through His Body. This understanding is reserved for those who possess spiritual discernment, recognizing the intricate web of relationships within the Kingdom of God.

In this context, the Church is not merely a human institution but a divine organism, intertwined with the spiritual realm. Angels and believers alike find common ground in their service to God, working together to fulfill His purposes on earth. This extraordinary union is a testament to the boundless wisdom and grace of God, who has entrusted His Church with the privilege of partnering with angelic beings in the advancement of His Kingdom.