In 1 Corinthians 6:3 it states “Do you not know that we will judge angels?  How much more the things of this life!”

If you read the full chapter, you know Paul is talking to the Corinth Church about sexual immorality, but that is not really why I chose this verse.  I chose it because we are going to judge angels!!!  Can you grasp the concept of that?  Well, it was really hard for me to grasp, until I started doing some research.

You see, I immediately thought we would be judging the good angels.  I don’t think of Satan’s minions as “angels”.

When I think of the word angel, immediately pictures of angelic beings come to mind with wings, halo’s, and this bright glow around them.  (I’m sure this is from pictures embedded in my brain from childhood.)

I was reading an interview with John Piper, and his take is that not all Commentators agree on whether the angels are good are bad.  It does seem strange that God would want us to judge sinless angels, since the context has to do with sorting out what is right and wrong among Christians, who have sinned against each other.

Piper goes on to say that perhaps the reference is to judging demonic spirts who had played a role in our life by tempting and battering us.  We then can be a witness at their trial by telling how we were demonically assaulted.  Those statements set me on a path of researching the scriptures.

It states in Jude 1:6  “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”

And in 2 Peter 2:4 “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;”.

When I read these scriptures in the past, I just assumed God would be doing the judging over these demons.  I’m not so sure now.  Based on 1 Corinthians 6:3, I think we will be doing the judging.  How exciting and terrifying at the same time.

These demons use to be angels and chose sin and darkness over good and light.  It’s scary to think that we might get to heaven and fall from that very grace that saved us.  Oh contraire!

2 Peter 3:3-13 clearly states that the old heaven will pass away and a new heaven where righteousness dwells will be established.

In vs 7 of that passage it states “But by the same Word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the godless.”

And in Revelation 22:3 it states “Nothing accursed will be found there anymore.  But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.”

Oh, what a glorious day that will be!  No more fighting with sin.  No more fighting with our brothers and sisters.  No more fighting with ourselves!

Oh, to have one peaceful day from my thoughts; beating myself up for something I did or did not do!

If we can grasp the concept of us needing wisdom to rule over the evil demons in heaven, then we need to understand that here on earth we need wisdom over the evil that lurks in the sinners.

I am not talking about the sinners of the world, but the people we stand beside in Church with the same belief that Jesus is Lord, and that someday we will rule with Him.

Pray for wisdom to lead and direct their paths as well as yours, so they and you will be equipped to rule beside Jesus in heaven.

Karen Y. Stevens is founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild