These words point back in history to events when God’s judgments were poured out on the wicked but the righteous were spared. Think of God’s judgment on the sinful world with the flood, but the sparing of righteous Noah and his family. Or think of God’s judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, but the sparing of Lot and his family. While the day of judgment seems long in coming, the day will surely come. Scripture points us to the past judgments (2 Peter 2:5) to assure us of the coming of the final judgment (2 Peter 3:4–10).
18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.