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. 13:12). 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 8:26-33).
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. 16:49-50). 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. 19:24-25). 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 17:28-30).
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 16:13). 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. 3:7-13) 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. 3:20). 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