Many believers in Yahweh watch the news with more alarm these days. Things seem to be getting worse, not better. We are bombarded with images of war, natural disasters, and an ailing economy. Of course we know that as believers, we are not to be troubled by these bad tidings if we trust in Yahweh.
In 1 Peter 4:17 we read, “For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of Elohim: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the evangel of Elohim?”
It is clear that when Peter wrote this, a desire to encourage the believers to stand firm in the face of suffering and trial, was foremost in his mind. He used the term “the end” on four occasions.
The first use of the term followed an explanation of the nature and benefits of the various trials in a believer’s life. The result would be a pure, effective faith now, as well as receiving the “end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9), the final ultimate deliverance of our whole person.
Then we find in 1:13, “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah.” In other words, our minds should be completely ready for action, sober and expectant, focused on the ultimate resolution of all trials.
Then we learn in 4:7 that the “end of all things is at hand.” Our response should be to remain sober and pray! This means to be of sound judgment, especially watchful as we pray, with eternity in mind.
Finally, we return to our original scripture, 1 Peter 4:17. The time of judgment on both believers and non-believers looms ever nearer. But Yahweh’s cleansing of His people has already begun. At times it is not pleasant, but is very beneficial to our ultimate goal of seeking first the Kingdom. This warning should motivate us to live our lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh.