“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
— 1st Peter 4:17-18
The apostle Peter is warning us that judgement begins at the house of God and then cycles through the nations. The proof of this is found in the historical accounts in Kings and Chronicles.
“Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.”
— 2nd Chronicles 36:14-16
Romans 9 explains that the Israel of God, the elect that God purposed to redeem since eternity past, are never cast off to the point of damnation but these passages indicate that our sin is worthy of it as much as the heathen nations. These things are written to remind us that salvation is of the Lord and his mercy and grace alone. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5).
The elect are not elect because they are more righteous, humble, or deserving than other people. God does not look into their future and forsee who will believe in him and do good deeds meriting their salvation if he first intercedes for them. No. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Ephesians 2:3 says we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh…and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Think on these things and tremble brethren.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
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