1Peter 4:5-7 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 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. But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
‘Account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead …’ this is the 5th New Testament prophecy in 1Peter verses 5-6 are unfulfilled and verse 7 fulfilled. All people will give account to God.
‘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’ in order to judge all people justly, the gospel has been given to all alike. Those who are now dead had the gospel preached to them while they were alive, just as those who are now alive are hearing the gospel. It was preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8) and to Israel (Heb. 4:1-2). Even Abel, Enoch, Noah, and others had the gospel (Heb. 11:1-40). In cases where men have not had the law or the gospel, God will judge them through Him being visible through creation (Rom. 1:20) and on the basis of the light they have had and according to their living up to the conscience (Rom. 2:12-16).
‘But live according to God in the spirit’ all men live according to God in the spirit, proving that the inner man is immortal (3:4). We must serve (worship) God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24) which means our thoughts [generated in our spirit] must at all time be according to what the Word commands in 2Corinthians 10:3-6; Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2. The truth always refers to the gospel [Jesus is the truth, the way, the life the light, etc. (John 1:1, 4-5, 7-14; 14:6)] which is the literal example Christ gave through His life on earth by which we are commanded to live (1Pet. 2:21-23; 1Jn. 2:6).
‘The end of all things is at hand’ Peter uses this term of impending judgment on Israel, which came about ten years later when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed and the priesthood and sacrifices came to an end. God used the same kind of expression to Noah, referring to the flood (Gen. 6:13). For us today to know the end is near, we have the signs of the times as given in Matthew 24; Mark 13 and Luke 21.
‘Be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer’ four commands in view of all judgment: Be sober (4:7) [Greek: sophroneo] sober in mind, thus referring again to the importance of not having any chemicals in our blood streams that can affect our minds and thus our soberness. Watch unto prayer (4:7) [Greek: nepho] to live soberly – being watchful in prayer is to have a mind focused on conversation with God instead of thinking on impure things (Col. 3:2; Php. 4:8). Above all, have fervent love among yourselves (1Cor. 13:4). Be hospitable without murmuring (4:9; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).
Living the Word 