“Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (King James Version)
INTERPRETATION The The bible describes another type of relationship possible between our world and the “spiritual dimension,” - our relationship with angels.
(*Note: String and M-theory, the scientific theory explaining the “spiritual dimension” is located as a video series at the bottom of topic 9. “Sown a natural body; Raised a spiritual body”)
1. Our Relationship with Angels
In 1 Corinthians 6:3 above, Paul explains that we have the authority to judge angels. We are created as children of God to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the creation, including angels. Inherent in the blessings of Genesis 1:28 is the flow of God’s love through man to the angels and all creation. Sadly, Adam and Eve’s original sin and its accompanying guilt and shame caused many of their descendants to believe that they were less than angels and even to worship angels, consequences of a damaged relationship with God. Prior to Adam and Eve's original sin, it is logical to believe that angels were servants to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, ministering guidance to them as they grew to maturity (became fruitful) in their relationship with God.
Click on the YouTube video below to see an angel recently caught on a hospital’s security camera, as reported by Fox News:
2. The Mission of Angels
The bible describes various roles of angels, including:
Messengers:
(Gen 18:10) an angel came to Abraham and told him that his wife, Sarah, would have a son.
(Matt 1:20) an angel told Joseph not to fear in taking Mary.
(Luke 1:31) the angel, Gabriel, announced Mary’s conception of Jesus.
Servants:
(Acts 12:7-10) an angel came to Peter while he was in jail and released him.
(Heb 1:14) angels are called “ministering spirits.”
(Rev 22:9) an angel refers to himself as a servant.
(Rev 5:11-12) angels are praising God.
3. Descriptions of Angels
The bible describes angels as heavenly beings created by God, in various ways such as the following:
Created (Ps 148:2, 5; Col 1:16)
Spiritual Beings ( Heb 1:14)
Immortal (Luke 20:36)
Holy (Matt. 25:31)
Innumerable (Heb 12:22)
Wise (2 Sam 14:17, 20)
Powerful (Ps 103:20)
Elect (1 Tim 5:21)
Meek (Jude 9)
Sexless (Matt 22:30)
Invisible (Num 22:22-31)
Obedient (Ps 103:20)
Possessing emotions (Luke 15:10)
Concerned in human things (1 Pet 1:12)
Incarnate in human form at times (Gen 18:2-8)
Masculine, generally appearing (Mark 16:5)
Not perfect (Job 4:18)
Organized in ranks (Is 6:2; 1 Thess 4:16)
In the opening verse of 1 Cor 6:3 above, Paul argues, if we are to judge angels, we should be able to judge among ourselves, rather than running to the law on each other. This logic becomes clearer in the larger context of verses 1 – 8, as expressed in the New International Version bible, below:
1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
