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The Beginning of the End
interests are centered in this world. “Watch therefore, and pray
always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things
that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (
Luke
21:34-36
).
Before the destruction of Sodom, God sent a message to Lot,
“Escape for your life!” The same voice of warning was heard before
the destruction of Jerusalem: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded
by armies, then know that its destruction is near. Then let those who
are in Judea flee to the mountains” (
Luke 21:20, 21
). Rather than
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delay, they must quickly take the opportunity to escape.
There was a coming out, a decided separation from the wicked,
an escape for life. So it was in the days of Noah, Lot, and with the
disciples before the destruction of Jerusalem, and so it will be in the
last days. Again the voice of God is heard, calling His people to
separate from the widespread wickedness.
The corruption and apostasy of the last days were presented to
the prophet John in the vision of Babylon, “that great city which
reigns over the kings of the earth” (
Revelation 17:18
). Before its
destruction the call from heaven is to be given, “Come out of her, My
people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues”
(
Revelation 18:4
). Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, there must
be no compromise between God and the world, no turning back to
get earthly treasures (see
Matthew 6:24
).
People are dreaming of prosperity and peace. Many people
exclaim, “Peace and safety,” while Heaven declares that swift de-
struction is about to come on the transgressor. On the night before
their destruction, the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure and laughed
at the warnings of the messenger of God, but that very night the door
of mercy was forever closed to the careless inhabitants of Sodom.
God will not always be mocked.
The great majority of the world will reject God’s mercy and will
be overwhelmed in swift and final ruin. But those who hear and
obey the warning will dwell “in the secret place of the Most High,”
and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (
Psalm 91:1
).
Lot did not live very long in Zoar. He saw that it was as wicked as
Sodom and was afraid it too would be destroyed, so he soon moved
to a cave in the mountains. Not long after, Zoar was consumed as
God had seen necessary.