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High Temps in the Holy Temple: Judgment Begins At God's House



Right now, the current crisis on the temple mount in Jerusalem is heating up and reaching another breaking point. The city at the center of the world (Ezek. 5:5) is in the middle of global conflict once again. Yet, for those of us who know and believe the Bible, are we the least bit surprised?


Whether it's Jerusalem, Shanghai, or Damascus, the world at large has no shortage of crises or impending crises. Most assuredly, the term crisis can be seen almost daily in the headlines and breaking news stories. In our day this word has come to mean some sort of critical situation or impending calamity such as the current economic crisis, financial crisis, or the crisis in Ukraine, etc.


However, when we study the etymology of the term, we discover that the root word has a deeper, theological significance. The English word crisis is a transliteration of the Greek word krisis (Strong's 2920), which is popularly translated as "judgment." The related verbal form, krino (Strong's 2919), means "to separate, distinguish, come to a decision by making a judgment either in favor of or against." And similarly, there is yet another form of the word, krima (Strong's 2917), which is found in 1 Peter 4:17:



Because it is the time of the judgment (krima) to have begun from the house of God, and if first from us, what [is] the end of those disobedient to the good news of God? (LSV).



As discussed in this week's 1 Peter study, the verse above is provided in Peter's letter to encourage God's pilgrim-priests to endure "trials of fire" (1 Pet. 4:12) and "share in the sufferings of Christ" (1 Pet. 4:13) while also avoiding the kind of suffering that comes from hypocritical, ungodly behavior (1 Pet. 4:15).


And if the righteous [in Christ] are saved with difficulty—which means, our sanctification ain't exactly a walk in the park based on the "fiery trials"—then imagine the outcome for those who disobey the gospel of God's grace and salvation through Christ (1 Pet. 4:18)!


Aside from encouraging believers to persevere in temporary suffering and trials, 1 Pet. 4:17 also has other doctrinal implications. Again, the apostle says, "...the time of judgment has begun from the house of God...first from us..." The key term here is proton, meaning: "first, in the first place, before, etc."






Now look at how the last book of the Bible mentions the judgment of the seven churches (God's house) first:



Write the things that you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to come after these things; the secret of the seven stars that you have seen on My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are messengers of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands that you have seen are seven assemblies (Rev. 1:19–20, LSV).



Revelation chapters 2–3 are a detailed explanation of judgments rendered by Christ—both good and bad—to the seven churches. Therefore, just as Peter says, judgment begins at the house of God.


Next, in chapter 4, we are shown a glimpse of the throne room of heaven with brand new residents—the glorified Church. The judgment of the righteous [in Christ] has been accomplished: The elders are sitting on thrones, wearing white garments, and casting golden crowns—all rewards promised by Jesus in the previous two chapters. Note: This is not the first time in Scripture where elders have been judged first:



Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.' So they began with the elders who were before the house (Ezek. 9:6, ESV).



Peter draws from this Old Testament text in 1 Pet. 4:17 as he affirms the biblical principle that judgment first begins at God's house. Specifically, it begins with the elders (whether in favor of or against). In short, the same typology from Ezekiel 9 applies to the Church as it once did for Israel. The 24 elders shown in the inner sanctuary of heaven have been spared God's wrath and escaped the fiery Trial (with a capital "T" - Rev. 3:10). They do not experience the consuming fire of God during the Tribulation, because their sins were judged at the cross by means of the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 5:6–10). Moreover, their judgment is not condemnation, but commendation; it's a final decision of reward (a.k.a. the "bema seat" - Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10).


Also, take a look at two more "Pre-Trib" verses in addition to 1 Pet. 4:17 with the word proton ("first"):



Simeon [Peter] has related how God first [proton] visited to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name (Acts 15:14, Berean Literal).



And:



Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because if the departure may not come first [proton], the man of lawlessness may [not] be revealed—the son of destruction (2 Thess. 2:3, LSV).



Finally, regarding judgment beginning at God's house (or temple), Peter also has in mind another Old Testament text: Malachi 3 and 4. Several verses in the last chapter of Malachi reveal that Jesus comes to His spiritual temple first before He judges Israel in the Day of the Lord (Mal. 3:1–4; 16–18; 4:1–3).


For an in-depth look at the Pre-Trib implications of Malachi 3 and 4, please see the Unsealed article: Here Comes the Son.


For an in-depth look at the Pre-Trib implications of the "judged" and glorified Church in Revelation 4–5, please see the Unsealed article: Who are the 24 Elders?




Post A Comment

37 comments:

  1. Meaty! I'm cognizant of the big switcheroo about to occur: the LORD suddenly appearing in His [spiritual] temple (i.e., Rev. 4-5) and then the Jews rebuilding their earthly temple.

    Just as there is a swap between the Church and the fallen angels (we go up they come down in Rev. 12), so too while the Church is here there is no earthly temple. When we go up, it gets rebuilt.

    These past two weeks:

    Jerusalem has become a cup of trembling: Zechariah 12:2

    AND, there is an uproar from the city, noise from the temple [area]: Isaiah 66:6, which seems to be pre-rapture Isa. 66:7-9

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, everything written in the OT is post rapture. They were not even aware of our time. The apostle Paul called it the mystery or more properly translated - secret.

      Delete
    2. i hear a noise and a fury!

      Delete
  2. At https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/04/isis-calls-for-new-global-offensive-while-west-is-distracted-by-ukraine-war/ "ISIS calls for new ‘global offensive’ while west is distracted by Ukraine war".

    I think that IS will attack the West when a major war is raging in the Middle East.

    ReplyDelete
  3. https://youtu.be/weABt7YSSjU

    Second Passover 2022 might be huge - Israel's 74th birthday with a full blood moon

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have HOPE - We have Jesus - Hallelujah!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sort of thing on Temple mount site has been going on since 1948.

    Almost every nation that has hosted and has been hosted by the peacemaker (His Majesty King Abdullah) has embraced His two basket peace plan, which is basically a two-state solution that embodies an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 lines to live in security and peace with Israel.

    These nations are heavily invested in the middle east specially in Jordan and they want a solution to this squabbling between Israel and the Palestinian’s.

    I think this back and forth with Israel and the Arabs will continue until that peace is confirmed.

    But we are in the Throne Room when that happens.

    Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.”

    We are part of that Kingdom, so we have to leave, so we can come back! Right?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know there are those who don’t agree with what iam about to say so we will just have to waite and see!

    Matthew, in his gospel wrote, at chapter 27, verses 52 and 53, that on that day of resurrection, after Jesus rose, the graves were opened and, my bible says, “and many bodies of saints that slept arose, and, came out of the graves after the resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many”.

    Because what this is saying, is that these risen saints are the shadow cast of the promise of the full harvest of the saints yet to come. And, on that day appointed for the Ascension,  Ephesians, chapter 4, at verse 8, that’s scripture by the way,  tells us that when He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, fulfilling that earlier prophecy made in Psalm 68 at verse 18!

    That means that when Jesus ascended, 40 days after He rose, he took with him those saints who rose with him 40 days earlier, those that were seen by many in the holy city.  They were the token, of the full harvest yet to come, just as the omer of barley (the flour) , made from the sheaves of barley picked on Firstfruits, and waved before the Lord, was the token of a full harvest yet to come.

    That’s what Paul means when he tells the Thessalonians, in chapter 4 at verse 16 & 17,  that the dead in Christ rise first, then we which are alive and remain are caught up together with them in the twinkling of an eye, to be with the Lord forever.

    And in fulfillment of the shadow cast by that event on resurrection day, many of the newly resurrected dead in Christ, will be seen by many, just as they once were seen in the holy city.

    That is the warning sign God gave us to know that our redemption is only 40 days away!
    And makes one wonder how it remained hidden from us, while still in full view. Those verses of scripture have always been there - why do they have  this meaning to us now?

    Its nice to speculate on Dates and figures of time lines and Europe, Russia, Ukraine.

    But Daniels prophecies say to watch the Jews and Jerusalem!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gregg, are you saying the dead in Christ are going to appear to us 40 days before we are raptured?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Thankful Saint

    No, unless you are in Jerusalem.

    Here is the whole scene from Mathew.

    Mathew 27:51-53 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

    These risen Saints were the Token, the Promise of the of the full harvest (Rapture) yet to come.
    The sign Paul said to watch for.

    And also they are part of the Jonah sign Jesus told the Jews of.
    Cause for 40 days they did what Jesus was doing, then takes them with Him.

    So when Jesus desends from heaven who is He shouting for?

    Sorry starting to ramble on!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ...We're all like, "Who dere, what there, Whoo dere?!!!" this is WILD, Gregg ~

    ReplyDelete
  10. ...now then, gevte you tubes newest video entitled, "Rapture @ Blood Moon on True 2nd Passover .... is worth the watch as he makes mention of the true Rev. 12 sign in the heavens etc

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey, all you watchers.

    Here’s something that’s not really on-topic, but a story that has potential to build. So far it’s very quiet, scarcely mentioned on major news conglomerates. I was first made aware by a protest staged at an NBA game. A particularly virulent strain of avian flu is sweeping through Iowa. The destruction of 5.3 million chickens was ordered at Rembrandt Enterprises, one of the world’s largest egg producers. This kind of thing can rapidly get out of hand.

    DW

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have a random question but so many here are good at these. Lol!
    I just saw on another post someone asking about Revelation 20:4-6. It says those beheaded for His name are the first resurrection..... This person says that shows we are here through the tribulation. I don't believe this but I admit that confuses me.
    Anybody up for explaining??
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nan,

      You hit on a topic that is sadly a source of confusion. Van helsing (below) is right. There are three groups of the righteous resurrected being Christ the first fruits, His body the Church the second group and the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints the third group.

      The White Throne judgement is not part of what Jack Langford calls the three fold order of the resurrection of the saints. He has an excellent book on the topic and video discussing this topic on Prophecy Watchers,

      Jack Langford: The Day 500 people Were Resurrected From The Grave!

      I highly recommend the video and Jack's book on the topic available at Prophecy Watchers.

      Blessings

      Delete
    2. One explanation is that the "first Resurrection" involves all believers, no matter the time of the Resurrection. The "second" would then be unbelievers post-Millennium. One thing to consider is that there have been lots of Resurrections in the Bible (most to a normal body, which dies again, but don't forget Jesus was Resurrected to a glorified body). Therefore the Bible can't mean that these are the first resurrected in time, as that doesn't make any sense. Therefore you must interpret this verse in a different way. And, as such, you can't decide that this verse "proves" the Rapture is later. Also, keep in mind that the word "first" can also be interpreted as either "most prominent" (as in the best spot, not relating to time) or as in "first of a subset" (as in, if you declare you will go to the grocery store first, it is before another task, but probably not the first time you've ever been to a grocery store. ). Hope this helps!

      Delete
  13. The first resurrection has nothing to do with us the believers who are around between the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4. We are the born again saints-members of the body of Christ. You need to keep the groups separated. The first resurrection will raise up the Old testament believers AND those who refused to take the mark of the beast and are beheaded for their faithfulness during the upcoming tribulation which we will not be here to see. The Rapture is NOT the first resurrection, they are separate events. As usual there is always somebody who disagrees with me. So be it, this is my explanation.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Nan,

    Jesus spoke of 2 resurrections:
    1) The resurrection of life
    2) The resurrection of condemnation

    Joh 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice (29) and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

    Everyone born on this planet will be resurrected but not all at the same time and not to the same result!

    The 'first resurrection' is to LIFE and includes Jesus Himself and ALL believers, from all ages, but NOT ALL at the same time. Think of it like the harvests in Israel's calendar. In March/April you have the barley harvest. Around May you have the wheat harvest. Later around September you have the fruit harvests (grapes, figs, pomegranates etc). The resurrection unto life is like that.

    1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep... But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

    So the 'first resurrection' is to life and is made up of different harvests, consisting of the following:
    1. Jesus Christ Himself : ) His was the first resurrection (the firstfruits), unto a glorified body, in time.
    2. Then those that belong to Him when He returns @ the rapture (Us... the Church... Yay!)
    3. The two witnesses during the tribulation (Rev 11:11-12)
    4. Tribulation and Old Testament saints @ the start of the Messianic Kingdom age (Rev 20:4-6)

    So where some go wrong is that they read 'first resurrection' in Rev 20:5-6 and think 'oh, this means the first ever resurrection in time - none have come before it'. But it's not saying that. It is simply part of the first resurrection which began with Jesus :) and includes all those that are His in their own time. And in the context of Rev 20 it is also contrasting the people in this resurrection unto life with the 2nd resurrection which is to judgement and the second death, discussed later in the chapter in Rev 20:11-15. You don't want to be part of that one! :(

    Hope this helps. God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  15. As always I am blessed by everyone answering! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  16. just sayin',.. atpministries.com as well as leohohmann.com as well as Absolute truth site with Geri Ungurean are plumb full of pertinent info ranging from news about the "Pandemic Treaty" and its ammendments, to the upcoming contrived famine thats approaching us, etc and much more... blessings all

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is such an exciting time and I want to THANK ALL OF YOU at Unsealed who write articles and/or Comment for I glean from you all and then "think out loud" or rather "write it down" in a summary format. My latest article is packed with goodies and asks the question--are we about to witness the LAST blood moon before the Rapture?

    THE LAST HEAVENLY SIGNS BEFORE A 2022 RAPTURE?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lyn i felt like i was watching the stone roll away as i embraced the overwhelming beauty revealed in your newest post,...Oh so splendid \!/

      Delete
    2. Aw, Brother, you comment so eloquently.
      I also like the funny but eager Comment left by Jimboni at Rev12daily--"Oh! The show's about to start and the popcorn's still warm! Goodie!"

      Delete
    3. eager is good! not to be anxious nor impatient, but just nice and eager, Yes! . .. dude, we're goin' verticle pretty quick here, ya hear! i just tell folks, "i'm already gone" :)

      Delete
  18. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/vladimir-putin-declare-new-world-26828251 "Vladimir Putin may declare new world war in days, says UK defence secretary

    British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that he would not be surprised if Vladimir Putin declared a new world war and ordered the mass mobilisation of Russians".

    On 9 May 2022 it will be exactly 77 years ago when WW II ended in Europe. Don't be surprised that WW III will officially start on this day. 77 is a very important prophetic number. Russia could also indirectly order IS and Al-Qaeda warriors to conduct terrorist attacks in Europe and Russia could also sabotage public utilities like gas, electricity, water and internet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMHO, I believe we've already cross that bridge.

      Delete
  19. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

    An interesting find,

    The Witnesses

    Quoting, Get Pocket,

    “When they’d show up on radar,” Voorhis says, “I’d get the relative bearing and then run up to the bridge and look through a pair of heavily magnified binoculars in the direction the returns were coming from.” Describing what he saw during the daytime, Voorhis says the objects were too far off to make out any distinguishing features, however, he could clearly see something moving erratically in the distance.

    “I couldn’t make out details, but they'd just be hovering there, then all of a sudden, in an instant, they’d dart off to another direction and stop again,” Voorhis says. “At night, they’d give off a kind of a phosphorus glow and were a little easier to see than in the day.”

    ReplyDelete
  20. THANK YOU, FATHER!!!

    Thank you for the wonderful birthday gift to see your star this morning under clear skies. Your Word says that we shall be given the bright morning star and this morning you treated us to the gathering of Jupiter and Venus; the timing of which is not lost on me.

    Glory to God in the highest, grace and peace to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

    PR

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pastor Rich

    Whenever Jesus encountered opposition He confronts it, thats why the popular religious leaders wanted to kill Him off early, He was a threat!
    I don'y agree with your endorsement of Jack Langford.
    "Jack Langford: The Day 500 people Were Resurrected From The Grave!"

    And this is why 1 Corinthians 15:5-7, these "500 brethren at once" were whiteness, not the resurrected First Fruits Christians that Jesus takes with Him on ascension day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gregg,

      Actually, I think the title for that program is unfortunate as IMHO it should have reflected Gary's opening stating, "If you've ever had questions about the resurrection of the righteous, this is a program for you."

      Jack did a good job of explaining the orders of the resurrection but the focus of his time was not on the 500; thus the title is more than a little unfortunate. I agree that the 500 were witnesses but they were not the point of the post. It was to offer resource on Nan's question.

      The critical answer to Nan's question comes from (1 Corinthians 22-24),

      22 For as in Adam all die, so
      also in Christ shall all be made
      alive.

      23 But each in his own order:
      Christ the firstfruits, then at
      his coming those who belong
      to Christ.

      24 Then comes the end, when
      he delivers the kingdom to God
      the Father after destroying
      every rule and every authority
      and power.

      (1 Corinthians 15:22-24 ESV)

      These are the orders of the righteous that make up the first resurrection. The harpazo happens when those who belong to Christ are taken at his coming. The harpazo does not happen at the end -- it occurs as the middle order not the last order. Thus the statement by Jesus concerning the resurrection of the righteous being,

      30 But many who are first will
      be last, and the last first.

      (Matthew 19:30 ESV)


      I think that is more to the point of Nan's question.

      Blessings,

      PR

      Delete
    2. Hi Gregg,

      I wanted to follow-up on your concern after reviewing the video once again and can confirm that Jack does NOT say that the 500 were those who were raised after Christ's resurrection. It appears an unfortunate title applied to the program and not based on the program content. I just wanted you and all here to know that I went back to double-check the video and what was found.

      Blessings!

      PR

      Delete
  22. And who are the "popular religious leaders" of today? Is it not QAnon, Trump, Fox News, and conservative evangelical republican politicians?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keyword being, "threat". (Noting Gregg's post above) As in threat to their way of life and personal hold to power in the prevailing social order. The messianic teaching of the Essene way and the Zadock priesthood stood in the way of the powers that be in their day and were swept aside for their legalistic counterparts. Jesus Himself is King, High Priest and Prophet of the Order of Melchizedek and clearly stood counter to the established order of the day in first century Israel.

      The cornerstone which the builders rejected became the capstone and we with Him who by faith are His body, the Church. Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, yesterday, today and forever.

      There is but One King and His Name is Jesus.

      Delete
    2. ...is that to say in other words that Jesus came to destroy organized religion. ( i suppose this goes w/out sayin' )

      Delete
    3. "Organized religion", yea you would think people would think and wake up from that sort of persuasion. My wife's Daughter has found religion "Catholicism", I went a few times, I just can't get past the swinging of the incense.

      You just don't need a third party to talk to GOD.

      Delete
  23. About the timing of the Ezekiel 38 and 39 war (Gog-Magog war), according to these articles of RaptureReady below, it could happen on the eve of the Second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as a part of the Armageddon war:

    * https://www.raptureready.com/2022/04/27/the-gog-magog-and-armageddon-wars-part-1-by-randy-nettles/ "The Gog-Magog and Armageddon Wars: Part 1 :: By Randy Nettles";
    * https://www.raptureready.com/2022/04/27/the-gog-magog-and-armageddon-wars-part-ii-by-randy-nettles/ "The Gog-Magog and Armageddon Wars: Part II :: By Randy Nettles";
    * https://www.raptureready.com/2022/04/29/difficulties-with-bodies-burning-wood-ezekiel-38-39-by-ron-ferguson/ "Difficulties With Bodies & Burning Wood: Ezekiel 38-39 :: By Ron Ferguson".

    ReplyDelete


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