Peter warns us that we should not be surprised by the fires of trials we will face. While the enemy can use these things to destroy our faith, God uses them to test our faith. Those with an authentic faith are able to look ahead to the time when Christ is seen and known by all as the sovereign Lord. Judgment begins with the household of God. This means that those who follow Jesus will suffer a form of judgment, possibly at the hands of the world, but also possibly at the hands of God, who will judge the authenticity of our faith. But this is nothing compared to the judgment that awaits non-believers.