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96
The Beginning of the End
doom, but his reluctance caused her to regard the divine warning
lightly. While her body was on the plain, her heart clung to Sodom,
and she perished with it. She rebelled against God because His
judgments involved her possessions and children in the ruin. She
felt that God had dealt severely with her in requiring that the wealth
that had taken years to accumulate be left to destruction. Instead of
thankfully accepting deliverance, she looked back presumptuously,
longing for the way of life of those who rejected the divine warning.
There are Christians who say, “I don’t want to be saved unless
my companion and children are saved.” They feel heaven would not
be heaven without the presence of those who are so dear. But have
those who cherish this feeling forgotten that they are bound by the
strongest ties of love and loyalty to their Creator and Redeemer?
Because our friends reject the Savior’s love, shall we also turn away?
Christ has paid an infinite price for our salvation, and no one who
appreciates its value will despise God’s mercy because others choose
to do so. The fact that others ignore His claims should spur us on to
be more diligent, that we may honor God and lead all whom we can
to accept His love.
Sodom Destroyed
“The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.” The
bright rays of morning seemed to promise only prosperity and peace
to the cities of the plain. The stir of active life began in the streets;
people were going their various ways, intent on the business or
pleasure of the day. The sons-in-law of Lot were making fun of the
fears and warnings of the weak-minded old man.
Suddenly and unexpectedly as thunder from a cloudless sky, the
storm broke. The Lord rained brimstone and fire on the cities and the
plain. Palaces and temples, costly homes, gardens, vineyards, and
the pleasure-seeking crowds that only the night before had insulted
the messengers of heaven—all were consumed. The smoke went up
like a great furnace. The lovely Valley of Siddim became a place
never to be built up or inhabited—a witness to all generations that
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God’s judgments on transgression are certain.
There are greater sins than those for which Sodom and Gomorrah
were destroyed. People who hear the gospel invitation calling to