Observing these times so near the end of this quickly fleeting age conjures thoughts about Lot’s days in Sodom. This, of course, has been an ongoing train of thought for me, as those reading my articles can attest.
Those ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the remains of which archeologists are just now digging up from the south end of the Dead Sea region, had at their black hearts a term that believers in Jesus Christ don’t often give much thought to: unrighteousness.
Unrighteousness isn’t merely the lack of righteousness. It is the diametrical opposite, contrary in every respect to righteousness as defined by God. It is a determined, conscious—and even militant, in some cases—effort to move in a direction other than toward God and His holy prescription for living.
They need no deity to govern their comportment, the lost sinners declare.
But here is what God in Heaven, through Paul the apostle, has to say in regard to the soul:
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:2-8).
So righteousness in God’s holy perception isn’t based on doing good rather than evil works but rather on genuine belief in His way of salvation. Jesus described that way:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Getting back to Abraham’s nephew who lived in Sodom, I remain convicted that we’re living in the time Jesus described as being like “the days of Lot” (Luke 17:28-30). Moreover, I believe Jesus might have had our very nation in mind when He told of a coming day that would be like Lot’s day–that time in the future when God’s righteous people will be removed from a place of wickedness and evil, as Lot and his family were removed from judgment-appointed Sodom.
The United States of America is the most materially blessed, technologically advanced nation in history. In that level of attainment and achievement, America likely matches Sodom as that city existed in ancient times.
The people who will be evacuated in that future removal will be God’s people because of their being like Lot himself. Here the Apostle Peter delivers God’s message, reporting the facts about why Lot was removed from the doomed region.
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities” (2 Peter 2:6-10).
Lot was righteous in God’s holy view. He and his family were removed from among the unrighteous people Lot had dwelt with in Sodom. Jesus said it will be just like this for His people in a future time. His people are righteous because they/we have believed in the Holy Name of the Only Begotten Son of God.
Certainly God’s people live today within a Sodom-like society and culture among a generation that has turned their backs on God’s prescription for life on earth. The reprobate minds of Romans 1:28 have long ago been reached, according to the wokeness and debauchery we’ve been witnessing.
My thoughts lately, in consideration of the Rapture and America and the world’s likeness to the days of Lot, turns to percentages. The question: Percentage-wise, have America and the world reached relatively the same configuration as Lot and those few taken out of Sodom, as compared to the number of those left behind to be judged and destroyed during those business-as-usual but wicked days of evil? In other words, has this nation and the entire world reached the time when God will take the righteous from among the unrighteous so He can begin bringing His prophetic blueprint–the establishment of Jesus Christ upon His millennial throne—to fulfillment?
When will the only righteousness to be found on earth be removed? Seems to me that we might not be far from knowing the answer.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!