Abraham’s nephew Lot first became interested in Sodom following a difficulty that arose between the herdsmen of Lot and those of Abraham over pasture for their flocks. The sight of the well-watered plain of Jordan and the luscious grass on the surrounding hills, together with his lust for material wealth, led Lot’s heart away from dependence upon God. Thus he chose to live “in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:1212Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Genesis 13:12)). He eventually lived in Sodom, and while his soul was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7), his spiritual sensibilities were dulled, and he did not see things as they really were. Likewise, the inhabitants of Sodom would not allow the thought of responsibility to God and His claims to enter their minds. Being governed by cares and pleasures, occupied only with what was passing before their eyes, and being full of idleness, they were not aware of what was ahead for Sodom.
We are continually surrounded by and the innermost part of our being may be affected by Satanic influences — influences that are incomprehensible, clothed with seeming unlimited power, and that use man’s mind as a plaything. The only deliverance for man from such creatures and their influence is Christ, the Master over all creation. All deliverance for fallen man is dependent upon the death of Christ and our believing and owning Him as Son of God and Saviour (Luke 8:26-3326And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. (Luke 8:26‑33)).
The Judgment of Sodom
“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me” (Ezek. 16:49-5049Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. (Ezekiel 16:49‑50)). Fullness of riches together with idleness stimulate the appetite for pleasure and the indulgence of voluptuous passions. The people gave their lives over to the call of their natural senses, debasing their souls and leaving God out of their lives.
“The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground” (Gen. 19:24-2524Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (Genesis 19:24‑25)). What a warning to us who have had higher privileges than Sodom! Sodom, a garden that the Lord had made, was in a moment turned into a place of jackals and birds of prey — a haunted city, never again to be rebuilt. Such will be Christendom. Sodom’s history is left as an example for all to remember — a warning to all mankind. The explosive flame of divine justice on Sodom has sent a warning down through the centuries to remind man that there is a God in heaven.
The Judgment of Christendom
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-3028Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:28‑30)).
These words from God should immediately electrify the mind and heart, because of the imminent judgment to fall on Christendom. Never before has there been prosperity in the western earth as there is today. This warning cries with special voice to the nations of the west, under Christian profession. As we look at Sodom, is it not like looking at our day in a mirror? They were increased with goods and left God out of their lives. Today, spiritual lethargy has engulfed the Christian profession. Worldly pleasure is taking the place of devotedness to God and His claims. Christian civilization (Christendom) has fallen under the power and deceit of Satan, who has inspired the world to change what was holy and good into a wicked source of pleasure. Men, even believers, do not trust God, but put their trust in the institutions of men. The unequal yoke between believer and unbeliever is commonplace. The modesty that once characterized women is turned into license, especially in dress. The man no longer lifts up holy hands. Man’s system of education is geared to teach wickedness, violating the principles of true Christian profession, while churches have largely changed from spiritual pursuits to political and humanitarian avocation, instead of teaching the only remedy for the evils of the day.
As the truth that has been given to man in this day is full and great, so will be the judgment on those who have professed with their lips, but rejected it in their hearts. The awful judgment upon Christendom will be far worse than the judgment upon Sodom. It will not be merely fire and brimstone falling from heaven, but the armies of heaven descending upon the western earth. Why are they judged? Because they did not have the truth? No, but because they did not love the truth, evidenced by their not walking in it (2 Thess. 2:10).
God’s Faithfulness
In spite of general failure in every dispensation, God has always maintained a witness to Himself. Although there is confusion, God remains faithful, and the Holy Spirit by the Scriptures would guide each believer into all truth. We need to be willing and diligent (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)). There have been and there are today individuals with hearts burning for the truth, holding on to the light even unto death by persecution. Those whom the Lord addresses in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-137And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:7‑13)) may have only a little strength, yet the Lord has given them to know God’s mind concerning Christ and the church. Christ is the true “Amen” who has always been faithful. He leads into the creation of God beyond all failure — a creation where all things are of God.
To individuals with an opened heart, He says, “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)). The appeal is to the individual, and personal affection is called for. Should it not be so with the bride of Christ?
Abraham’s life gives the believer a pattern for walking by faith. Abraham was given no commands or rebukes as to his everyday walk through this world, for communion took care of everything. Abraham had faith and hope, and God was his reward.
C. E. Lunden, adapted