Concerning their glorious future, Jesus said to his faithful apostles on Passover night of 33 C.E.: “I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:29, 30) So, in place of being judged during the millennial reign of Christ, they share with him in judging redeemed mankind.

Some of the anointed remnant of prospective joint heirs of Christ will also have survived, but whether they will start judging on earth before they are transferred to the heavenly kingdom remains to be seen. (1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:11-14)