Year of Exposure Day 4: Judgment begins in God’s house.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Ezekiel was having a prophetic vision. One of the things he observed in this vision was the marking of those who grieved over the sin in their ranks, followed by the destruction of those who did not have the mark on them:

“Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Notice, the Lord told the destroyers to “begin at My sanctuary.” In fact, this is what we see the Lord doing throughout the Bible: The ones judged first, indeed, the ones often dealt with more harshly, are those who profess to be His, those who lead His people, yet have hearts far from Him.

Paul, instructing Timothy concerning the requirements of one who would be a bishop in the church, noted that the candidate must be successfully exerting control over his own children. Yes, he must make sure his own children are being obedient before trying to teach anyone else how to be obedient to the Lord.

“A bishop then must be blameless . . . one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);”

‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬a & 4-5 NKJV‬‬

So, what does this have to do with judgment beginning at the at God‘s house? You see, God is a good father, and a just Judge. He will not deal in judgment within the world, until He has dealt with those identifying themselves as His children.

We see in our opening scripture that Peter, after having encouraged Christians who were experiencing great trials, points out that suffering for Christ, is a good thing. As well, he suggests that those trials are part of the judgment beginning at God’s house.

As we consider what we can expect to see in a “Year of Exposure,” we must know that the revelation of the hidden things of shame within the Church will be seen. But make no mistake: Yes, judgment begins at the house of God, but it certainly does not stop there.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!