Pastor Chris Online Transcripts: Jan 15, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Episode 9 :: Question 8 on The Christian's Superiority to Angels

12:19 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

Question 8 - Penn (Cameroon): Pastor, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:3 that we shall judge angels. Which angels is this referring to? Does this mean that the Christian is superior to the angels of God? How be it that Christ said in Matthew 22:30 that at resurrection we are as angels. Does this means that at resurrection we will again drop low to be like angels?

Answer 8: Yes, in 1 Corinthians 6, the bible does say that we shall judge angels, but then, let’s read it: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” [1 Corinthians 6:3]. So we shall judge angels; what angels? Fallen angels! So, we shall judge the fallen angels and not only angels, we are also even going to judge the world, that’s what the bible says, the world of the ungodly. We are going to judge them; we are going to be seated together with Christ on thrones and we shall judge the world and judge angels that didn’t obey God. Now, the angels that have obeyed God don’t need to be judged; they will just continue their work. They don’t need to be judged; they are not going to be rewarded for anything, so they are going to just continue with the work. So, you said “Does this mean that the Christian is superior to angels of God?” Yes, you have to understand that, superior in the sense of our identity with Christ; remember who we are.

The Bible says that we are “joint-heirs with Christ” [Romans 8:17]. We are joint-heirs with Him, we are sons of God, we are born of the Spirit of God, we are born of Him, we are His children. The angels are His servants, we are His children. The Bible says the servant does not abide in the house forever but the son does. So, when you are born again, as a born-again Christian, a born-again person, you are directly joined with Christ. You are one with Him; the Bible says “But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit” [1 Corinthians 6:17]. Angels have physical power; they are more powerful than we are, much more powerful; they have supernatural power. But, we have authority - authority in the name of Jesus - and to Him they are subject. They listen to Him; they obey Him, and His name – Jesus - is the greatest name and they listen to Him, and we live in the name of Jesus. So, remember, we are superior to angels, not because of what we have made ourselves or achieved but because of Jesus Christ, what He made of us.

Now, you said “How be it that Christ said, in Matthew 22:30, that at the resurrection we are as angels. Does this mean that at resurrection we will again drop low and to be like angels?” We are not dropping low. You must remember the context of His discussion. Let’s read it, in St Matthew’s Gospel chapter 22 - what you talked about - in verse 30: “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” [Matthew 22:30] So, it’s the context of marriage. He was answering a question on marriage, because they asked him, so they said “a certain man married and died and he didn’t have any children and then his brother took over the lady and the lady became his brother’s wife and that one died and then they didn’t have any children and seven of them had this woman and they all died without children and so in the resurrection, who’s wife will she be? [Matthew 22:23-28]” They were trying to say to Jesus, “Don’t you understand that there is no resurrection?” These were the people who did not believe in the resurrection, and they were trying to taunt Jesus with these things, saying, “look you must be really stupid.” But, Jesus, knowing their thoughts, and being the wisdom that He is, said to them “Oh no, in the resurrection they are as angels - that means without gender; they are neither male nor female.” See? When you come up to God in the resurrection, you don’t live as a man or as a woman. He says we are without gender; we are like God. God is without gender. God is neither male nor female but he has both male and female characteristics, you see, because both characteristics are from God. But, He is neither male nor female, and we will be neither male nor female. That’s what it’s talking about. So, no marriage in heaven! That’s what He’s telling you.

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