Do Futurists Really Think We Will Judge Angels?

Paul rebuked the Corinthians because they were dragging one another before pagan courts. He reminded them of their high position in Christ. If the saints would "judge angels," then surely they were capable of handling simple disputes among themselves without Roman judges.

1 Corinthians 6:3
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?

† Paul rebuked the Corinthians because they were dragging one another before pagan courts. He reminded them of their high position in Christ. If the saints would "judge angels," then surely they were capable of handling simple disputes among themselves without Roman judges.

† To "judge" means to rule, discern, or pronounce sentence. Paul's words fit the first century transition when Christ placed all enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). At His coming in AD 70 He removed the old covenant system and defeated the principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Believers who endured to the end joined Him in that judgment (Daniel 7:21-22).

† "Angels" here points to spiritual rulers, not heavenly messengers who remained faithful. Scripture calls the law "ordained through angels" (Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2). Those angelic powers were tied to the Sinai covenant. When the old covenant passed away, those angelic authorities were judged. The saints, joined to Christ, participated in that verdict.

† Revelation shows this clearly. In Revelation 12:7-10 the dragon and his angels were cast down. In Revelation 20 the accuser was bound. These are the angels Paul said the saints would judge. Through their faithful witness, the church stood with Christ as the old order of angels fell.

† The early church understood this. Daniel foresaw that "the saints took possession of the kingdom" (Daniel 7:22). Hebrews 2:5 declares that "the world to come is not subjected to angels." Jesus told His apostles they would sit on thrones judging the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). That judgment arrived when Jerusalem fell and the kingdom was fully given to the saints.

† This is not about believers someday sitting in a cosmic courtroom to pronounce sentences on holy angels. The context is the first century victory of Christ. Futurists miss Paul's point and turn a completed reality into a future fantasy. The saints already share in Christ's rule (Ephesians 2:6). We reign with Him now.

† Immediate Context of 1 Corinthians 6
Paul's argument is practical and present: if they can one day "judge angels," they should certainly judge trivial earthly matters now (1 Corinthians 6:1-5). He's not forecasting a far off cosmic court, he's rebuking them for running to pagan judges. The contrast is between their current spiritual authority and their present immaturity.

† Angels as Law Mediators
Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19, and Hebrews 2:2 all say the old covenant was delivered "through angels." These angelic authorities were tied to the Sinai administration. When that covenant ended, those powers were rendered obsolete. The "judgment" is the removal of their authority, not a future trial of faithful heavenly beings.

† Christ Alone Judges the World
John 5:22 says "the Father has given all judgment to the Son." Revelation 20 shows Christ as the only one seated on the great white throne. There is no scene where glorified humans sentence holy angels. Any judgment we share is derivative, already accomplished in Him (Ephesians 2:6).

† Completed Cosmic Battle
Revelation 12:7-10 describes the dragon and his angels cast down at Christ's ascension. That war is finished. Paul speaks as if this overthrow is certain and believers share in the verdict because they are united with the Victor, not because they later preside over celestial trials.

† Saints' Present Reign
Daniel 7:21-22 and Ephesians 1:20-23 show that the saints received the kingdom when the Son of Man came to the Ancient of Days. We reign with Him now (Revelation 1:6). Our "judging" is reigning, exercising kingdom authority, not running a courtroom.

† No Biblical Picture of Saints Judging Holy Angels
Every text that speaks of angels at final judgment shows them carrying out God's sentences (Matthew 13:41-42; 25:31), never standing trial before humans.

† Early Church Understanding
Early Christian writers like Clement of Rome and the Epistle of Barnabas speak of believers reigning with Christ and overcoming evil powers, but none describe saints sitting to condemn holy angels. Their witness supports the fulfilled, covenantal reading.

How it applies to us today
† We live in the finished work of Christ. The demonic powers are judged, and we walk in the authority of His kingdom. We do not wait for a distant day to exercise judgment, we display His justice now by resolving disputes in the church, living holy lives, and declaring the gospel that exposes the darkness (John 16:11; Ephesians 3:10).

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †

--Dan Maines

Source Index
† 1 Corinthians 6:1-5, 6:3; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Colossians 2:15; Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2, 2:5; Revelation 12:7-10; 20:1-3; Daniel 7:21-22; Matthew 19:28; Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:6; 3:10; John 5:22; 16:11; Revelation 1:6; Matthew 13:41-42; 25:31; Clement of Rome, Epistle of Barnabas