Withstanding Judgment – Fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah!
Jesus warns us of the last days closer to His coming, especially about Lot and his family: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so, will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods (possessions) are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise, the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:28-32).
Apostle Peter warns us that the world will be judged by fire (and not by the flood) in the future: “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For this, they willfully forget: that by the word of God, the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men” (II Peter 3:3-7).
A Righteous Lot!
Abram’s nephew Lot was known as righteous in Scriptures: “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (II Peter 2:4-8).
Here is the testimony of Lot:
· “Righteous Lot!”
· “Oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked!”
· “Tormented his righteous soul!”
· “Day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds!”
A Great Fellowship of Abraham Lot Enjoyed!
Lot was Blessed by the Fellowship of Abraham and followed him!
“So, Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4). Abram heard from God and Lot from Abram!
Lot was blessed by Abram’s mentoring: “Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents…Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock” (Genesis 13:5-7).
Lot Captured by Enemies but Abram Rescued Him!
“And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five…They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is [d]north of Damascus. So, he brought back all the goods and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Genesis 14:8-16).
Abraham Interceded for Lot!
God disclosed His plan of judgment: “Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord” (Genesis 18:22).
“And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ So, the Lord said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes’” (Genesis 18:23-26).
God came to Abraham’s home to disclose what He was doing; God sent His angels to Lot’s home to drive out his family from the burning cities!
Lot Hosted the Angels!
Lot was a Leader in the Cities, Sitting at the Gate!
“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, ‘Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.’ And they said, ‘No, but we will spend the night in the open square.’ But he insisted strongly; so, they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate” (Genesis 19:1-3).
Lot’s Community Filled with Violence and Carnality!
“Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally’” (Genesis 19:4-5).
This is the “spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah” alive and well in our land today. This spirit of carnality is exacerbated by violent rioting, looting, and destruction of properties across the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
The Community of Lot Despised Him!
“And (the men of the cities) said, ‘Stand back!’ Then they said, “This one came in to stay here (as a resident alien), and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.’ So, they pressed hard against the man Lot and came near to break down the door” (Genesis 19:9).
We are also living in the days where truth and goodness are despised, and the godly council is reviled upon with contempt and violence.
The Angels Protected Lot and His Family!
“But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great so that they became weary trying to find the door” (Genesis 19:10-11).
The angelic protection was granted to Lot for his righteousness and as an answer to Abraham’s prayer of intercession.
God’s Intervention to Force Lot Out of the Twin Cities!
“Then the men said to Lot, ‘Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.’ So, Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking” (Genesis 19:12-14).
Lot Lingered!
“And while (Lot) lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city’ (Genesis 19:16).
Lot Hesitated and Chose a Different Place to Flee!
“So, it came to pass when they had brought them outside, that he said, ‘Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.’ Then Lot said to them, ‘Please, no, my lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die’” (Genesis 19:17-19).
Lot’s Wife Turned to Look Back!
“But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt’ (Genesis 19:26).
Abraham Stood in the Place of Intercession and Looked at the Destruction!
“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt” (Genesis 19:27-29). God remembered Abraham’s unspoken prayer request and delivered Lot!
Lot’s Wrong Choices – Parallels Today!
Lot Separated from His Godly Mentor Abraham!
“Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” (Genesis 13:11-13).
Many have left churches and from the places of learning and abiding with godly principles, godly fellowship, and prayer. They are trying hard to make it on their own. Lot’s example should serve as a warning!
Abram Rescued Lot’s Family, and yet there was No Relationship Between Them!
“So (Abram) brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Genesis 14:16).
There was no communication between the families of Lot and Abraham, or else Lot’s daughters would have thought about contacting Abraham after the fire. It strikes me to believe that there was no mention of Abraham within the family, despite receiving so much goodness from Abraham in times of trouble. Can you relate to your example of isolation from godly circles?
Lot Never Built an Atar to Worship God as Abraham Did!
Abraham built altars everywhere he went, Sichem, Bethel, Mamre, and Moraiah as a proclamation of his loyalty and worship of his God of the Covenant, whereas nowhere could we read of an altar built by Lot in the place of his dwelling.
A Christian majority once in our nation has become a silent minority today but the time has come for us to boldly declare that we belong to our God – God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Lot had a divided family that was not in agreement with each other!
There was a division between Lot and his wife, in that she did not probably like hosting visitors. That’s why the angels resorted to spending the night in the Town Square. In the end, she became a pillar of salt looking back!
There was no communication about God and the morals between Lot and his daughters, or else they would not have taken matters into their own hands to produce children of incest.
Lot did not receive any respectful agreement with his sons-in-law, or the men betrothed to his daughters. They spurned him and laughed at him from joining to flee with him!
Today, we are a divided nation, divided church, divided communities, especially divided families! Our children are wandering in the streets, causing riots, and breaking the laws. Gone are the days when a whole family stood for truth and the principles of God. There is a righteous minority in most of the homes suffering today like Lot did!
Lot Was a Loner Who Lived for Himself Without Godly Fellowship!
The following statements prove that Lot lacked wisdom or instant obedience to God’s commands:
“Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan!”
“Lot lingered!”
“I cannot escape to the mountains!”
The desires and the confessions of Lot’s mouth were contrary to the will of God and the results were treacherous!
Lesson, We Learn!
As Lot was rescued, so will many in our families who are living on the fringes of God’s anointing may be spared by the prayers of those who are praying for them.
We must stay within the godly fellowship of those who are speaking godliness into our lives – our pastors, leaders, teachers, prayer partners, and mentors. Abraham could survive without Lot, but Lot did not make it without him!
We might face ridicule, but we must proclaim boldly that we are God’s children wherever we live!
We must always be grateful for all the prayers and goodness we have received from our leaders to pray for them and continue communication with them no matter how far away we are from them.
We must maintain a family altar by which we commune with God and with each other daily. For us and our families, we must serve and worship God boldly!
We must pray for godly agreement in our family. If we live divided, half of our families will look back not wanting to join where God is taking us.
Please know from Lot’s example that a lifelong struggle of a divided family ends up in disaster even when the family is bailed out by the prayers of the saints around them.
In the end, the ‘atmosphere and the spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah’ did affect the family of Lot! If you are weak and could be easily influenced by the wickedness of the cities around you, move away from those cities even now and closer to godly council and fellowship. You will not regret it when God’s judgment falls nearby around you.
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, I yield my life, my will, my desires, and my ALL into Your hands. Preserve me, protect me, and all that You have given me, and lead me closer to You today, and every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! Amen!!”
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John Jeyaseelan
Global Prayer Center | prayer | 701 Bill France Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
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