It Will Begin In God's Household

It is estimated that Peter wrote his letter (1st Peter) between the years 60 and 68 AD. We know that the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed, and the Jewish people were scattered just a few years later in 70 AD. 

With those dates in mind, let’s read this statement from Peter, shortly before the fall of the Jerusalem Temple, the same fall that Jesus prophesied before he went to the cross. 

1 Peter 4:17-18 (NLT) 

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 

18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 

Peter is under the control of the Holy Spirit, and he knows that Jerusalem and the Temple will soon come under God’s judgment and face incredible death and destruction. It’s in this context and foreknowledge that Peter says, “The time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household.” 

There were many in Jerusalem at that time who called themselves the children of God. They believed themselves to be members of God’s household, but they were not. Jesus prophesied this judgment and destruction some 40 years earlier, before he went to the cross. 

Matthew 23:37-39 & 24:1-2 (NLT) 

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 

38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 

39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!’” 1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 

2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 

Jesus predicts it, and years later Peter confirms it…Judgment is coming to the household of God. Judgment came to people who refused to put their faith in Jesus as Messiah/Christ. That judgment began in Jerusalem. Jesus had offered them shelter under his divine wings, but they refused. Judgment began in Jerusalem, the household of God. 

This is my question today. What could this scene mean to the church of the last days? The church was maybe 30-40 years old when Peter wrote his first letter. What could this mean for the church of the last days? Reread those same verses and apply that judgment scene to the apostate church that Paul prophesied would be living on the earth when Jesus returns. 

1 Peter 4:17-18 (NLT) 

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 

18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 

It happened in Jerusalem in 70 AD, and it’s going to happen again. But this time, the judgment will be worldwide. Pretenders will be separated from the faithful. Those who have trusted in religion but never placed their faith in Jesus will experience judgment. It will begin with the household of God. 

Yes, I believe in a Church Rapture. Yes, I believe the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation. I believe the Rapture will fulfill the prophecy of 1st Peter 4:17-18. “The time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household.” 

Those who have legitimately placed their lives under the shelter of Jesus’ wings will be taken into heaven. And those who have practiced a form of religion but never experienced Jesus through faith and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit will be left behind to experience judgment and tribulation. 

Knowing this in advance…what kind of people should we be? The answer to that question is found in Peter’s second letter. 

2 Peter 3:11-14 (NLT) 

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 

12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 

13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper