Based on our best data from the White Estate, the phrase "judgment must begin at the house of God" refers to the investigative judgment in which God first examines the lives and records of those who profess to be His people—those who claim to follow Him—before the judgment of the wicked occurs. This understanding is rooted in 1 Peter 4:17 and is explained in Ellen White's writings, especially in The Great Controversy. In the Old Testament sanctuary service, only those who had confessed and repented participated in the Day of Atonement (the day of judgment). In a similar way, during the final investigative judgment, only the cases of professed believers—those who claim to be God's people—are considered first. The purpose of this process is to determine who among the professed followers of God are truly faithful and worthy of eternal life. The judgment of the wicked is a separate work that happens later. Ellen White writes: “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?” (The Great Controversy, p. 480.1). This means that God’s professed people are judged first, and their characters and deeds are reviewed before God. This judgment does not occur at death, but at a specific time appointed by God (see Acts 17:31, referenced in The Great Controversy, p. 548.2). In summary, "judgment start in the house of God" means that God’s judgment begins with those who claim to be His followers, examining their lives and faithfulness, before moving on to judge the rest of the world. References: - White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy. Pacific Press Publishing Association, pp. 480.1, 488.2, 490.2, 548.2.