The House of God

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7 

The judgment hour to which we are referring is critical to mankind, but more so to “professed Christians” than anyone else. Why? You might ask. Well, let us look and see what the Bible has to say about that.

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? I Peter 4:17

First of all what or where is the house of God? Who on earth are included in that group? One of the first references to the house of God is found in Genesis 28, when Jacob awakens from a dream of hope given to him by God, after he had run away from his brother, Esau. 

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, surely, the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, how dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. Genesis 28:16-20

Jacob had an encounter with the God of heaven, as he slept. He saw the angels of God going up and down on a ladder, indicating that there was communication between earth and heaven; there was a mediator of some kind that could intercede for him, for he had sinned against heaven, his father and his brother. He had lied and stolen his brother’s birthright and now he was terribly afraid.

Through the dream, God had assured him that he had heard his prayers of repentance and was willing to accept him back into His fold. He had given him that dream to show him how it would be done. Therefore, let me quickly explain how it works.

1.     The ladder represented Jesus – John 1:51

2.     The mediator is Jesus – I Timothy 2:5

3.     Whenever we sin, we must go to God in the name of Jesus – I John 1:9

4.     Jesus is the door to heaven – John 10:9

5.     There is no other way to go in – John 14:6

Consequently, any who accept Jesus as their savior, enters into a covenant relationship with Him; by believing on Him they become sons of God and members of God’s household (John 1:12) hence – the house of God, as referred to by Peter in I Peter 4:17.

Okay, keep coming back and we will keep moving forward; there is much to be explained.