The Apostle Paul frowned on the thought of a believer taking another believer to court. He went on to explain that one day believers will judge the world.
Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 1 Corinthians 6:2
The apostle adamantly came against taking disputes between believers before a secular judge. A dispute occurs when two people have a disagreement requiring a third person to intervene.
When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 1 Corinthians 6:1
Paul continued his case by expanding on who Christians will judge. Believers will judge more than just those on the earth. Look who else he said they will judge.
Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 1 Corinthians 6:3
He said that in their disputes they should stay away from bringing a lawsuit against a fellow believer. He said it’s better to just accept the injustice and leave it at that.
Disputes are Different than Wrong Doings
These lawsuits between Christians do not include criminal behavior. When a person commits a crime, even if it involves another Christian they have sinned against the laws of society.
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. . . . For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Romans 13:1,3
Even those who do wrong and don’t get caught haven’t gotten away with anything. Paul went on to help us see that.
- Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves.
- Those who indulge in …
- sexual sin, or who worship idols, or
- commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or
- practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or
- greedy people, or drunkards, or
- are abusive, or cheat people
- none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
When Will Believers Judge the World?
Let’s get back to those who will judge the world and talk about when it will happen. The end-time events begin with the rapture of the church.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Soon after the church joins Jesus, the earth and its inhabitants will experience seven years of tribulation. At the close of those seven years, Jesus will return to avenge the nation of Israel.
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. Revelation 19:11
At the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bride of Christ, the church will receive the finest of pure white linen to wear. Those same people will accompany the rider of the white horse.
The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. Revelation 19:14
Jesus will defeat God’s enemies including the antichrist and Satan. God will imprison Satan for 1,000 years. And Jesus will set up His kingdom on the earth during the same time.
Who Will Rule the World with the Lord?
Who will rule the world with the Lord? The Bible tells us they will consist of two groups of people who share in the first resurrection.
Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. Revelation 20:4
The raptured church and those who died for Christ during the tribulation will judge the world with Him. One might wonder why we will need to judge the world after the capture of Satan.
The answer to that question lies in this fact. Even after the tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon, many people will still inhabit the earth. And sin will still be their nature.
The Bible reveals to us evidence of their sinful nature. At the end of the 1,000-year millennium, the Lord will lose Satan for a season. Then look at what happens.
When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. Revelation 20:7-8
When We will no Longer Need to Judge the World
Fire from heaven though, will consume the attacking armies. Then God will banish Satan and all his followers, both human and heavenly beings to eternal torment.
John then saw a new heaven and a new earth because the old heaven and the old earth disappeared. Then the Bible says that God will live among His people.
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:5
Just before Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, He said, “It is finished. He had become God’s acceptable sacrifice for sin.
At the end of time when man’s sinful nature is completely gone, He will utter those words once again. They will never need to be said again and we will never need to judge the world again.
And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. Revelation 21:6
Lord, keep us from confusion as we look ahead toward the end times. I am looking forward to the end of time because, for us, it becomes a new beginning. Thank you for your promises.
Check out some other posts on God’s Judgment.
- The Judgment Of God Is Real
- How To Survive The Judgment Of The Eternal Fire
- God’s Judgment And Its Consequences
- The Destruction Of The Earth
- Punishment from God Because of Sin
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