> [!title|noicon] **I Peter 4**
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1 FORASMUCH then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; ^1
2 That he no longer should live the rest of _his_ time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ^2
3 For the time past of _our_ life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: ^3
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with _them_ to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of _you:_ ^4
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. ^5
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. ^6
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. ^7
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. ^8
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. ^9
10 As every man has received the gift, _even_ _so_ minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ^10
11 If any man speak, _let_ _him_ _speak_ as the oracles of God; if any man minister, _let_ _him_ _do_ _it_ as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ^11
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ^12
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ^13
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy _are_ _ye;_ for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. ^14
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or _as_ a thief, or _as_ an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ^15
16 Yet if _any_ _man_ _suffer_ as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. ^16
17 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? ^17
> This verse would more accurately be rendered *"For the time that judgment to have begun is from the house of God..."* in the aorist tense. There's one other place in the New Testament where the Greek word for begin is found with exactly the same spelling as it is here, with the spelling determining the tense. And that's in [Acts 11:15](Acts%2011.md#^15), *"as I began to speak..."* And God is indicating here that judgment does begin with the churches and congregations, with the house of God ([Eph 2:19](Ephesians%202.md#^19), [20](Ephesians%202.md#^20), [21](Ephesians%202.md#^21), [22](Ephesians%202.md#^22)). This is where God normally dwells, it is the Holy Place. When the abomination of desolation stands in the *holy place*, it is in the churches and congregations because that is where God dwells, it is His habitation, it is His house. That is, until the abomination of desolation, then it becomes the habitation of Satan.
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> Verse 17 continues, "and if it first is from us, what shall the end of them be that obey not the gospel of God?" God is tying 2 facts together here. The first is that judgment has begun with the house of God. But then His judgment overflows or develops so that it impacts those who do not obey the Gospel. See [Jeremiah 25](Jeremiah%2025.md):13-29, speaking about the end of the world, as a parallel to this, as well as [Ezekiel 9](Ezekiel%209.md).
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18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? ^18
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls _to_ _him_ in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ^19