Several recent events, particularly a lot of shootings, cause us to reflect on what Scripture reveals about our current times. What is the significance of these incidents in relation to biblical prophecy and what lessons does the Bible provide?
Luke 17:28-30 states: “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 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.”
This passage draws a parallel between the era of Lot and the future revelation of the Son of Man. The everyday activities of Sodom’s residents—eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building—created an appearance of normalcy. Yet, underlying this routine was the imminence of judgment, serving as a warning for the present day.
God rescued Lot before judgment came. In the same way, believers can find hope in His promise that our rescue is near.
Genesis chapters 18 and 19 recount the events leading to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, providing a detailed description of the conditions and actions that preceded God’s judgment. The following is a summary of the key events:
- The Lord and two angels visit Abraham. Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities, but his intercession does not prevent their destruction.
- The two angels go to Sodom, where Lot recognizes their unique nature and invites them into his home for protection.
- The men of Sodom, both young and old, gather around Lot’s house and demand that he sends his guests outside to them.
- The intentions of the crowd—to commit acts of intimacy with the visitors—demonstrate the city’s moral decline.
- The men accuse Lot of being a temporary visitor and question his authority to judge them, displaying hostility toward those with different values. This is a reminder that believers are sojourners in this world, and our values are very different from those of the world.
- The situation becomes violent as the men attempt to force their way into Lot’s home.
- The angels intervene by blinding the men, who continue to try to reach Lot’s door despite their blindness.
- In Genesis 19:12-13, the angels warn Lot and his family to flee before the city is destroyed.
- Lot’s sons-in-law mock his warning and refuse to take the message seriously.
- Ultimately, Lot, his wife, and their two daughters are rescued before judgment falls on Sodom.
Recent shootings have involved individuals from the trans and homosexual communities. The biblical account of Sodom describes a group of men who were militant, violent, and forceful—even attempting to break into Lot’s home and persisting after being struck with blindness.
Jesus’ recounting of this episode in the Gospel of Luke serves as a warning to us, that a militant and prideful attitude will be evident among many in our day who reject the authority and morality of God. But we are encouraged not to be fearful or perplexed! Rather, we should be alert and confident that His coming for us is near.