● Sodom and Gomorrah Set forth as an Example
● Genesis 18:16-21, 19:1-28

Most people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah during the time of its destruction, were people who were living in sin. The sins of these cities were so serious that they were no longer fit to live on the earth. Just three people were saved from the destruction of these two cities, Lot and his two daughters. Lot's sons-in-law thought he was joking when they were warned to get out of the place. How many people today who are living in sin, actually take the warning seriously that they need to repent of their sins? How many people today actually believe that Jesus is the great judge, and people in the world will one day face Him and give an account for things they have done in their lives?

Lot's wife was offered a great opportunity to be saved from the destruction of the two cities. However, her heart was not for God. Lot and his family were told, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed." So what did Lot's wife do? She looked behind, and so she did not escape alive. Her heart must have still been set on her home which was about to be burned. She needed to move on, but her heart did not want what God wanted for her.

As a disciple of The Lord Jesus Christ, I must make sure that I move forward in the direction that Jesus wants me to go in. I must keep His commands, and let Him lead me because this is what Jesus wants His people to do. He does not want us to look back at our old life and old sinful ways, and long to go back to those ways. I have learned that it does not do us any good if we keep looking back and desiring the sinful and worldly things that we have left behind. Paul the apostle knew and taught about the importance in forgetting what was behind him and reaching forward to those things which were ahead. Ref. Philippians 3:12-14, Luke 9:59-62.

Jesus has reminded us to persevere. If people look back and regard their memories of their former life of sin, they will have opportunity to consider and then possibly choose to go back to their vomit (back to their sin, and back to being friends of the world). The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one, but Jesus' people need to follow and obey Jesus' teachings. As a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, it needs to be no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me. Disciples need to sanctify the Lord Jesus in their hearts (They need to let Jesus reign/rule and take control of their lives). Therefore, they will not be popular in the world because the righteous teachings of Jesus are contrary to the way that sinners are living in the world. If we live the way that Jesus and His prophets teach us to live (Jesus speaks through His prophets), then not  every sinner in the world will be happy with how we live, nor happy about the things we say, if we speak the truth......2 Chronicles 20:20.

Jesus does, always has done and always will speak the truth, and he is, has always been and will always be just and righteous. When Jesus walked on the earth, the religious hypocrites hated Him so much that they had Him arrested, and they provoked the crowd to shout aloud and convince Pontius Pilot to order Jesus to be put to death. The Lord Jesus was crucified; he died a cruel death in  place of sinners to forgive sinners who would repent and choose to live righteously and justly in Jesus' sight. Jesus was still betrayed by Judas and he was taken by lawless hands and put to death in a very cruel manner. John the baptizer (not a Southern Baptist, nor any other religion from Christendom) was also put to death in a very cruel manner. He was also persecuted for speaking the truth in righteousness. God/Jesus spoke through John the baptizer, and Herod's wife sought opportunity to have John put to death. She then convinced her daughter to ask King Herod for the head of John the Baptist.
● Ref Mark 6:17-29.

Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction. He was hoping that God would spare the city for the sake of 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 or 10 righteous people, but after all that , there was only three people who eventually escaped the two cities. Lot's wife and his sons-in-law missed their great opportunity of escape. In another time when God Flooded the earth as a result of the wide spread evil committed by the people on earth, only eight people out of the whole world were found worthy to escape in the ark which Noah built. In a similar way, in the last days, there will not be a large percentage of people in the world who will be saved from the wrath to come and hellfire eternal.
● Jude 5-7, Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:22-27.

There are many casual seekers in the world and churches who may want to be saved one day, when they are ready. We don't know if we have tomorrow on this earth......click
● Luke 12:16-21, 16:13-15

Seekers may want to go to heaven one day, but are they aware that if they truly/sincerely follow Jesus that they will need to give up living for themselves and the abominable things of this sin cursed earth? Strivers are people who give up trying to enjoy everyday life, but they are happy with pleasing Jesus first, and they are diligent to present themselves approved to their master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to earth to enjoy the temporary things of this world. He came to seek and to save those who are lost. He did and he always does much good, and He set an example by the way he walked on the earth. The way he walked on the earth was not easy earthly living. He did good, He did justly and spoke out against what is evil. The easy road leads to destruction, death and eventually hellfire. Many people like to make things easy for themselves. They want to live for themselves and not for Jesus Christ. Can you enjoy taking part in a war? Followers of the Lord Jesus are in a spiritual war from day one of discipleship until the last day of their earthly life, if they continue to fight the good fight of faith until the end. Disciples must also fight their human natures.
● Ref. Ephesians 6:10-17. Matthew 16:24-27, Romans 8:1-8, 2 Timothy 2:1-13.

Fortunately, there is reward for those who are found by Jesus to be faithful: Eternal life, rest and an incorruptible inheritance which won't be taken away from people who have persevered and been approved by Jesus at the end........James 1:12......selah.

● Matthew 24:35
Jesus' words are so valuable that they will never pass away, and His word is far greater than the world itself, for He was around before the earth was created. The word of God is so great and it is so vital for His followers to keep His word. People prove if they are true disciples of Jesus if they obey Him.....Luke 8:20-21, John 14:23, Luke 6:46....selah.

● Matthew 24:14
The end will come, and what has been covered up and the things which people think are hidden will be revealed. However, people will be forgiven if they have truly repented of their sins and then bore fruits worthy of repentance, if they have then done the things befitting of repentance. For judgment Jesus has come. He has given people an ultimatum: Repent or perish.

Are we going to serve Jesus or ourselves. Choose today whom you wish to follow and serve. Do you want to serve the world and other gods (idols) or do you want to serve the living true God, Jesus the Christ. Salvation is found in no other god, but Jesus Christ only. If anyone wants to come to the Father and be reconciled to Father in Heaven, they must come through (by acknowledging) the Lord Jesus.
● Ref. John 14:6, John 10:7-9.

Thanks be unto God for His soul saving record of events......click.....click.

● Thomas Loftus
China/Asia
May 2008