For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Gospel of God?
A terrible time of trial was coming upon their world. Christians would also suffer, even be put to death in some cases; but Christians, with their help and hope, were far better off than those who had neither. Those who "obey not the gospel" are without God or hope (1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 12:6-11; James 1:2-4).