Bible Study Seattle

“Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?  Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3

How can the saints judge angels?? It is only possible to judge something one is familiar with. Have you ever heard a sermon about this? The saints can judge the world because saints have much experience with this world. After death, the saints go on to heaven, where they will get much experience with angels. Are angels immortal? If they are judged, doesn’t that allow for a death penalty? “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

“just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 1:7

Satan and Sodom and Gomorrah are punished with eternal fire. Are Sodom and Gomorrah still burning? No. They are dead. Satan and his demons will meet their end. They are not immortal; neither are the angels.

It is this author’s belief that when the saints initially go to heaven, they are not immortal. This seems to be contradicted by, “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6 More on that in a minute.

Why do the saints get to judge the world? Because they overcame the world. Will it not be the same judging angels? The saints can judge heaven when they overcome heaven. This must leave open the possibility of failure. How can you fail if you are immortal?

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:7-9