NOAH’S DAY, LOT’S DAY—HOW IT WAS

1-FROM ENOCH TO NOAH
2-THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GREATLY INCREASED
3-HOW IT WAS IN NOAH’S DAY
4-GOD DECIDES TO DESTROY MAN: HE SETS A DATE
5-HOW THE EARTH WAS WATERED
6-NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
7-NOAH WAS TOLD BY GOD TO MAKE AN ARK
8-SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE RAIN COMING, GOD TOLD HIS PEOPLE
THE EXACT DAY IT WOULD BEGIN
9-NOAH ENTERS THE ARK: THE FLOOD CAME
10-THE FLOOD: WHERE DID THE WATER COME FROM?
11-A NOTE OF INTEREST: CONSIDER FAITH
12-MAN CONTINUES TO REBEL AGAINST GOD AFTER THE FLOOD
13-LOT, AND SODOM AND GOMORRAH
14-THE SINS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
15-THE LORD DETERMINED TO GO TO SODOM
16-LOT AND HIS FAMILY LEAVE SODOM
17-LOT’S WIFE LOOKS BACK (SPIRITUAL WARFARE)
18-HOW IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT

As The Days Of Noah  Were, So Shall Also The Coming Of The Son Of Man Be-Mt 24:37.  It Is Verymuch Like This Today.

1-FROM ENOCH TO NOAH

Enoch begat Methuselah, and Methuselah begat Lamech, and Lamech begat Noah. AND HE CALLED HIS NAME NOAH, SAYING, THIS SAME SHALL COMFORT US CONCERNING OUR WORK AND TOIL OF OUR HANDS, BECAUSE OF THE GROUND WHICH THE LORD HATH CURSED-Gen 5:29. And Noah…begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth-Gen 5:32.

2-The Number Of People Greatly Increased

From the time of Adam until the flood, the Scriptures show that the people lived to be very old; many lived over 900 years. The oldest in the Scriptures was Methuselah, at 969 years old-ref Gen 5:27. From the time of Adam until the flood was over 1600 years. Taking into account that parents had children from perhaps the age of 65 and on to nearly 200 or more, some have estimated that the population of the earth at the time of the flood may have been four billion or more. It is written, GOD CREATED MAN…MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM. AND GOD…SAID…BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY-Gen 1:27,28.

3-How It Was In Noah’s Day

AND GOD SAW THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY IMAGINATION (or inclination) OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY (or all the time)-Gen 6:5. AND IT REPENTED (or grieved) THE LORD THAT HE HAD MADE MAN ON THE EARTH, AND IT GRIEVED HIM AT HIS HEART (or his heart was filled with pain-NIV)-Gen 6:6. THE EARTH ALSO WAS CORRUPT BEFORE GOD (or in God’s sight), AND THE EARTH WAS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE. AND GOD LOOKED UPON THE EARTH, AND BEHOLD, IT WAS CORRUPT; FOR ALL FLESH HAD CORRUPTED HIS WAY UPON THE EARTH-Gen 6:11,12. FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOAH ENTERED INTO THE ARK, AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY-Mt 24:38,39. THE LONG SUFFERING OF GOD WAITED IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, WHILE THE ARK WAS A PREPARING, WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS WERE SAVED BY WATER-1 Pe 3:20.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness-ref 2 Pe 2:5; yet the world would not believe what he spoke.  There are preachers of righteousness and Bible prophecy scholars today that are trying to warn the world that the Rapture, Antichrist, Tribulation, and finally the Battle of Armageddon are coming, but the world will not believe what they say, even though it is from God’s Word.              

1.  THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH-Gen 6:5.
2.  Very, very few people were following God’s ways-ref 1 Pe 3:20.
3.  There was only one preacher of righteousness mentioned in the Scriptures at the time of the flood—Noah-ref 2 Pe 2:5.
4.  Noah and his family obeyed God-ref 1 Pe 3:20; Gen 7:13.
5.  Noah did all that God commanded him-ref Gen 6:22.
6.  God warned His people-ref Gen 6:13.
7.  God’s people warned others-ref 2 Pe 2:5.
8.  God set a date when the flood would come-ref Gen 6:3.
9.  God gave the time; the number of years was 120 years-ref Gen 6:3.
10.  The people that were walking with God understood that God’s wrath was coming.
11.  God’s people were preparing for the coming judgment.
12.  The unbelieving world was being warned but would not believe.
13.  The people, who were not walking with God, did not understand that God’s judgment was going to come upon them.
They knew not (or did not understand) they would soon be destroyed by God’s judgment, the flood-ref Mt 24:39.
14.  The unbelieving world would not repent-ref Gen 6:11,12; 1 Pe 3:20.
15.  God gave men time to repent-ref Gen 6:3.
16.  There was no great revival-ref Gen 6:11,12; 1 Pe 3:20.
17.  Every imagination of man’s thoughts was evil continually-ref Gen 6:5.
18.  The earth was corrupt-ref Gen 6:11,12.
19.  The earth was filled with violence-ref Gen 6:11.
20.  All flesh had corrupted God’s way upon the earth-ref Gen 6:12.
21.  They were going about things as usual-ref Mt 24:38.
22.  The people were eating as if nothing would happen-ref Mt 24:38.
23.  The people were drinking as if nothing would happen-ref Mt 24:38.
24.  The people were getting married as if nothing would happen-ref Mt 24:38.
25.  The people were being given in marriage as if nothing would happen-ref Mt 24:38.
26.  God set an exact day as the time approached-FOR YET SEVEN DAYS-Gen 7:4.
27.  Even as the last day approached, the people went about business as usual and did not believe.
28.  The flood came. The fact that they did not believe it would happen meant nothing.
They died in their sins and perished-ref Mt 24:39.
29.  God’s people escaped the judgment of God’s wrath.
30.  Few saved.

These are very important; for it is written, AS THE DAYS OF NOAH WERE, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE-Mt 24:37.  Indeed, it isverymuch like this today.

4-God Decides To Destroy Man: He Sets A Date

AND THE LORD SAID, MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN, FOR THAT HE ALSO IS FLESH: YET HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS-Gen 6:3. AND THE LORD SAID, I WILL DESTROY MAN WHOM I HAVE CREATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH; BOTH MAN, AND BEAST, AND THE CREEPING THING, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR; FOR IT REPENTETH (or grieved) ME THAT I HAVE MADE THEM-Gen 6:7. AND GOD SAID UNTO NOAH, THE END OF ALL FLESH IS COME BEFORE ME; FOR THE EARTH IS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE THROUGH THEM; AND, BEHOLD, I WILL DESTROY THEM WITH THE EARTH-Gen 6:13.

1.  God was grieved that He had made man.
2.  God decided to bring a flood upon the world.
3.  God decided to destroy man.
4.  God decided to destroy the beasts.
5.  God decided to destroy the creeping things.
6.  God decided to destroy the fowls of the air.
7.  God set a date.
8.  God decided to keep alive two of every sort of living thing, male and female, of unclean beasts, fowls, and every thing that creepeth.
9.  God decided that of every clean beast, sevens should be taken.
10.  God decided that of fowls of the air, sevens should be taken.
11.  God decided that all food which is eaten should be taken.
12.  God decided to save the godly.
13.  God decided to use an ark to save them.

5-How The Earth Was Watered

BUT THERE WENT UP A MIST FROM THE EARTH, AND WATERED THE WHOLE FACE OF THE GROUND-Gen 2:6.                                  

6-Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord

BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD-Gen 6:8. NOAH WAS A JUST MAN AND PERFECT IN HIS GENERATIONS, AND NOAH WALKED WITH GOD-Gen 6:9. The Lord said to Noah, “I HAVE FOUND YOU RIGHTEOUS IN THIS GENERATION”-Gen 7:1 NIV. Noah and his family seemed to have been standing alone against the entire world that was living in unrepentant sin.                                      

7-Noah Was Told By God To Make An Ark

AND THE LORD SAID…HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS-Gen 6:3. And God said unto Noah, “MAKE YOURSELF AN ARK OF CYPRESS WOOD; MAKE ROOMS IN IT AND COAT IT WITH PITCH INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO BUILD IT: THE ARK IS TO BE 450 FEET LONG, 75 FEET WIDE AND 45 FEET HIGH. MAKE A ROOF FOR IT AND FINISH THE ARK TO WITHIN 18 INCHES OF THE TOP. PUT A DOOR IN THE SIDE OF THE ARK AND MAKE LOWER, MIDDLE AND UPPER DECKS. I AM GOING TO BRING FLOODWATERS ON THE EARTH TO DESTROY ALL LIFE UNDER THE HEAVENS, EVERY CREATURE THAT HAS THE BREATH OF LIFE IN IT.
EVERYTHING ON EARTH WILL PERISH. BUT I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH YOU, AND YOU WILL ENTER THE ARK—YOU AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR WIFE AND YOUR SONS’ WIVES WITH YOU. YOU ARE TO BRING INTO THE ARK TWO OF ALL LIVING CREATURES, MALE AND FEMALE, TO KEEP THEM ALIVE WITH YOU. TWO OF EVERY KIND OF BIRD, AND OF EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL AND OF EVERY KIND OF CREATURE THAT MOVES ALONG THE GROUND WILL COME TO YOU TO BE KEPT ALIVE. YOU ARE TO TAKE EVERY KIND OF FOOD THAT IS TO BE EATEN AND STORE IT AWAY AS FOOD FOR YOU AND FOR THEM.” NOAH DID EVERYTHING JUST AS GOD COMMANDED HIM-Gen 6:14-22 NIV.
Let us consider, Noah and his family may have become a sightseeing attraction upon the earth. Others probably mocked and ridiculed them, as Noah warned the world of the coming judgment of God. He may have been the laughingstock of the world. Some have estimated there may have been as many as 4 billion people on the earth at the time of the flood, yet it is not recorded that any of them repented.                                    

8-Seven Days Prior To The Rain Coming,
God Told His People The Exact Day It Would Begin

AND THE LORD SAID UNTO NOAH, COME THOU AND ALL THY HOUSE INTO THE ARK;FOR THEE HAVE I SEEN RIGHTEOUS BEFORE ME IN THIS GENERATION. This is the first invitation to “come,” and this invitation was given because of “grace.” Noah was found to be righteous. Noah was invited to “come” into the ark—a type of Christ. Through the ark, Noah and his family would be saved.
OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST THOU SHALT TAKE TO THEE BY SEVENS, THE MALE AND HIS FEMALE: AND OF BEASTS THAT ARE NOT CLEAN BY TWO, THE MALE AND HIS FEMALE. OF FOWLS ALSO OF THE AIR BY SEVENS, THE MALE AND THE FEMALE; TO KEEP SEED ALIVE UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH. FOR YET SEVEN DAYS (or seven days from now), AND I WILL CAUSE IT TO RAIN UPON THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS; AND EVERY LIVING SUBSTANCE THAT I HAVE MADE WILL I DESTROY FROM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH. AND NOAH DID ACCORDING UNTO ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED HIM-Gen 7:1-5. Why were sevens taken of every clean beast?  It has been suggested that it may have been for food and for sacrifices.                                     

9-Noah Enters The Ark: The Flood Came

IN THE SELFSAME DAY ENTERED NOAH, AND SHEM, AND HAM, AND JAPHETH, THE SONS OF NOAH, AND NOAH’S WIFE, AND THE THREE WIVES OF HIS SONS WITH THEM, INTO THE ARK; THEY, AND EVERY BEAST AFTER HIS KIND, AND ALL THE CATTLE AFTER THEIR KIND, AND EVERY CREEPING THING THAT CREEPETH UPON THE EARTH AFTER HIS KIND, AND EVERY FOWL AFTER HIS KIND, EVERY BIRD OF EVERY SORT. AND THEY WENT IN UNTO NOAH INTO THE ARK, TWO AND TWO OF ALL FLESH, WHEREIN IS THE BREATH OF LIFE. AND THEY THAT WENT IN, WENT IN MALE AND FEMALE OF ALL FLESH, AS GOD HAD COMMANDED HIM: AND THE LORD SHUT HIM IN-Gen 7:13-16. Noah was under divine protection and care. The time of grace had come to an end. The only thing left for the people to look forward to now, was the judgment and death.
AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER SEVEN DAYS, THAT THE WATERS OF THE FLOOD WERE UPON THE EARTH. AND THE RAIN WAS UPON THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS-Gen 7:10,12. Let us consider how it might have been. The people are perhaps standing outside of the ark, laughing, mocking, and making jokes about a flood coming. Even after Noah had entered the ark, people are scoffing at the idea of the judgment, which Noah said was going to come. Nothing seems to be happening. The people are not repenting, neither do they believe but continue in their sin. Seven days pass. Then the sky grows dark, the lightning flashes, and the thunder cracks; the first raindrops begin to fall. Some people stop laughing. The rain increases and continues. The laughing and mocking is now replaced with fear and panic. People begin to scream in terror. Some may even be beating upon the ark and crying to Noah to let them in. As the waters rise, people try to find higher ground—but it is too late. It is written, AND ALL FLESH DIED THAT MOVED UPON THE EARTH-Gen 7:21.
Considerthe days we are now living in. There is mocking and scoffing at the idea that Jesus might return. People are going about business as usual. Except for an occasional Sunday, God is not in their thoughts. Most people live however they desire. They do not study and obey the Gospel but live in sin. Consider, for it is written, BUT AS THE DAYS OF NOAH WERE, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOAH ENTERED INTO THE ARK, AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE-Mt 24:37-39.
It is written, BY FAITH NOAH, BEING WARNED OF GOD OF THINGS NOT SEEN AS YET, MOVED WITH FEAR, PREPARED AN ARK TO THE SAVING OF HIS HOUSE; BY THE WHICH HE CONDEMNED THE WORLD, AND BECAME HEIR OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS BY FAITH-Heb 11:7. During this time, THE LONG-SUFFERING OF GOD WAITED IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, WHILE THE ARK WAS A PREPARING, WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS WERE SAVED BY WATER-1 Pe 3:20.
God gives all who will live ungodly a warning. For if God SPARED NOT THE OLD WORLD, BUT SAVED NOAH THE EIGHTH PERSON, A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, BRINGING IN THE FLOOD UPON THE WORLD OF THE UNGODLY; THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED-2 Pe 2:5,9.

10-The Flood: Where Did The Water Come From?

    IN THE SIX HUNDREDTH YEAR OF NOAH’S LIFE, IN THE SECOND MONTH, THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, THE SAME DAY WERE ALL THE FOUNTAINS (or springs) OF THE GREAT DEEP BROKEN UP, AND THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WERE OPENED. AND THE RAIN WAS UPON THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS-Gen 7:11,12. AND THE FLOOD WAS FORTY DAYS UPON THE EARTH; AND THE WATERS INCREASED, AND BARE UP THE ARK, AND IT WAS LIFT UP ABOVE THE EARTH. AND THE WATERS PREVAILED, AND WERE INCREASED GREATLY UPON THE EARTH; AND THE ARK WENT UPON THE FACE OF THE WATERS. AND THE WATERS PREVAILED EXCEEDINGLY UPON THE EARTH; AND ALL THE HIGH HILLS, THAT WERE UNDER THE WHOLE (or entire) HEAVEN, WERE COVERED-Gen 7:17-19.
We may note that not only did the waters come from the rain, but also it is written:
1. ALL THE FOUNTAINS (or springs) OF THE GREAT DEEP (were) BROKEN UP.
2. AND THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WERE OPENED. The fast rising waters did not only come through rain, but also by the subterranean waters, as a result of the springs of the great deep being broken up. Job 38:16 tells of the SPRINGS OF THE SEA. Job 38:30 says, THE WATERS ARE HID AS WITH A STONE, AND THE FACE OF THE DEEP IS FROZEN. Deut 8:7 tells of A LAND OF BROOKS OF WATER, OF FOUNTAINS AND DEPTHS THAT SPRING OUT OF VALLEYS AND HILLS. In Ps 33:7 we read, HE GATHERETH THE WATERS OF THE SEA TOGETHER AS AN HEAP: HE LAYETH UP THE DEPTH IN STOREHOUSES. The fast rising waters appear to have come from springs of the great deep being broken up. Consider the water of the oceans rising and gushing forth, as well as the rains coming down. We do not know the exact height of the tallest mountains in those days, but the Bible assures us that ALL THE HIGH HILLS THAT WERE UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, WERE COVERED, and THE MOUNTAINS WERE COVERED, and ALL FLESH DIED THAT MOVED UPON THE EARTH. NOAH ONLY REMAINED ALIVE, AND THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM IN THE ARK-ref Gen 7:19-21,23.

11-A Note Of Interest: Consider Faith

Noah was righteous before God.  He believed God’s Word.  Noah obeyed God in all things.  Note Heb 11:7:
Noah was warned of God                Noah found grace because of his faith
Of things not seen                            The hope and realm of faith
Noah feared                                       The belief or exercise of faith
Prepared an ark                                  The work or deeds of faith
Saved his house                                The results or obedience of faith
Condemned the world                      The testimony of faith
Heir of righteousness                       The reward that is of faith

Noah could symbolize the faithful Jewish remnant that will be brought through the Tribulation. Noah could symbolize the church that is raptured prior to the Tribulation that will come upon all the earth.
The ark is a type of Christ, but also a type of Rapture or escape.   Only through Jesus can we escape the judgment for sin. The ark was a refuge.  Jesus is our refuge.
Gopher wood and pitch can also denote “atonement.”
The ark had a window above.  It looked upward toward heaven, rather than downward toward the earth and judgment, letting in light and air.
The ark had only one door; one way to enter to be saved.
God shut the door.  After the Rapture comes, the door will be shut.
After the door was shut, the people that were left out were undoubtedly crying, “Open the door!”  After the Rapture, those left behind will
say, “Lord, Lord, open to us.”
By the flood covering the entire earth, judgment was executed upon all flesh.

12-Man Continues To Rebel Against God After The Flood

AND THE WHOLE EARTH WAS OF ONE LANGUAGE, AND OF ONE SPEECH-Gen 11:1. AND THEY SAID ONE TO ANOTHER, GO TO, LET US MAKE BRICK, AND BURN THEM THOROUGHLY…AND THEY SAID, GO TO, LET US BUILD US A CITY AND A TOWER, WHOSE TOP MAY REACH UNTO HEAVEN; AND LET US MAKE US A NAME, LEST WE BE SCATTERED ABROAD UPON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. AND THE LORD CAME DOWN TO SEE THE CITY AND THE TOWER, WHICH THE CHILDREN OF MEN BUILDED. AND THE LORD SAID, BEHOLD, THE PEOPLE IS ONE, AND THEY HAVE ALL ONE LANGUAGE; AND THIS THEY BEGIN TO DO: AND NOW NOTHING WILL BE RESTRAINED FROM THEM, WHICH THEY HAVE IMAGINED TO DO. GO TO, LET US GO DOWN, AND THERE CONFOUND THEIR LANGUAGE, THAT THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER’S SPEECH. SO THE LORD SCATTERED THEM ABROAD FROM THENCE UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH: AND THEY LEFT OFF TO BUILD THE CITY-Gen 11:3-8. The following might be compared to Lucifer’s words in Isa 14:13,14.
Note man’s rebellion, “Letus make brick; letus build a city; letus build a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; let us make a name.” Here is man exalting himself against God, even challenging God. Here is self-exaltation (“let us”). They did not turn to God, but to “self.” The tower they desired to build was not just a tower, but it was to reach unto heaven. Further note the words given as to why they wished to do these things: LEST WE BE SCATTERED ABROAD UPON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. Here again is defiance against God, as God had commanded them to replenish or fill the earth. Here is self-exaltation. The tower may also symbolize man’s works to reach heaven rather than receiving the grace of God by faith. The tower can represent man’s vain attempts to reach God and man being “the center”; for when coming by way of grace—God must be “the center.” They had a knowledge of God, but turned from Him. There was no fear of God before their eyes, even after the flood.

    Note God’s words, BEHOLD, THE PEOPLE IS ONE, AND THEY HAVE ALL ONE LANGUAGE; AND…NOTHING WILL BE RESTRAINED FROM THEM, WHICH THEY HAVE IMAGINED TO DO. Thus, by the Lord breaking down their ability to communicate and scattering them upon the face of the earth, their purpose was defeated.
We arenow in the computer age, and through the interconnection of computers and the various components of the “information highway,” knowledge is increasing at an astounding rate. Once again, we can see that nothing may be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. This has a special meaning in the latter day prophecies leading up to and including the Tribulation.   Man’s language is again becoming one, the language of the computer. Mankind is again becoming one, being interconnected by the computer.                                                                

13-Lot, And Sodom And Gomorrah

The Scriptures tell us, AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT…EVEN THUS SHALL IT
BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28, 30.

Thus, we need to examine how it was in the days of Lot, as a further indication of how it will be in the day when Jesus is revealed, eventhe days we are now in.
ABRAM WAS VERY RICH IN CATTLE, IN SILVER, AND IN GOLD-Gen 13:2. AND LOT ALSO, WHICH WENT WITH ABRAM, HAD FLOCKS, AND HERDS, AND TENTS. AND THE LAND WAS NOT ABLE TO BEAR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT DWELL TOGETHER: FOR THEIR SUBSTANCE WAS GREAT-Gen 13:5,6. AND THERE WAS A STRIFE BETWEEN THE HERDMEN OF ABRAM’S CATTLE AND THE HERDMEN OF LOT’S CATTLE-Gen 13:7. AND ABRAM SAID UNTO LOT, LET THERE BE NO STRIFE, I PRAY THEE, BETWEEN ME AND THEE…FOR WE BE BRETHREN. IS NOT THE WHOLE LAND BEFORE THEE? SEPARATE THYSELF, I PRAY THEE, FROM ME: IF THOU WILT TAKE THE LEFT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE RIGHT; OR IF THOU DEPART TO THE RIGHT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE LEFT. AND LOT LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND BEHELD ALL THE PLAIN OF JORDAN, THAT IT WAS WELL WATERED EVERY WHERE, BEFORE THE LORD DESTROYED SODOM AND GOMORRAH, EVEN AS THE GARDEN OF THE LORD…THEN LOT CHOSE HIM ALL THE PLAIN OF JORDAN; AND LOT JOURNEYED EAST: AND THEY SEPARATED THEMSELVES THE ONE FROM THE OTHER-Gen 13:8-11. Lot chose what he believed was the best. This shows a worldly nature. He chose to go in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah, wicked cities, in order to obtain what he considered the best land. There is no mention that he sought the Lord in his decision. Declining from God is often a gradual process and leads into the world. Lot, eventually, ended up in Sodom.

14-The Sins Of Sodom And Gomorrah

We have already noted that the area about Sodom was prosperous, even as the garden of the Lord. Did their prosperity keep them from doing wickedly? The answer is no. Their sin was very grievous. Lot was VEXED WITH THE FILTHY CONVERSATION OF THE WICKED-2 Pe 2:7. They were ungodly-ref 2 Pe 2:6. For Lot, THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN DWELLING AMONG THEM, IN SEEING AND HEARING, VEXED HIS RIGHTEOUS SOUL FROM DAY TO DAY WITH THEIR UNLAWFUL DEEDS-2 Pe 2:8. THEIR GRAPES ARE GRAPES OF GALL, THEIR CLUSTERS ARE BITTER-Deut 32:32. THEIR SIN…THEY HIDE IT NOT-Isa 3:9. SODOM AND GOMORRHA, AND THE CITIES ABOUT THEM IN LIKE MANNER, they gave THEMSELVES OVER TO FORNICATION, AND went AFTER STRANGE FLESH (sexual immorality and perversion)-ref Jude 7. THEY COMMIT ADULTERY, AND WALK IN LIES: THEY STRENGTHEN ALSO THE HANDS OF EVILDOERS, THAT NONE DOTH RETURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS-Jere 23:14. Thus, they worked to prevent people from repenting. They encouraged,
strengthened, deceived, lied to, and assisted the evildoers, so that they would not turn from their wickedness. BEHOLD, THIS WAS THE INIQUITY OF THY SISTER SODOM, PRIDE (arrogant), FULLNESS OF BREAD, AND ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS (overfed and unconcerned)…NEITHER DID SHE STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF THE POOR AND NEEDY (did not help the poor and needy-NIV). AND THEY WERE HAUGHTY, AND COMMITTED ABOMINATION (detestable things) BEFORE ME-Ezek 16:49,50. Homosexuality was great in the city-ref Gen 19:4-11. In Sodom, there were not ten righteous men-ref Gen 18:32. Yet we read, IF THE MIGHTY WORKS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DONE IN THEE (in Capernaum), HAD BEEN DONE IN SODOM, IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED UNTIL THIS DAY-Mt 11:23.
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT; THEY DID EAT, THEY DRANK, THEY BOUGHT, THEY SOLD, THEY PLANTED, THEY BUILDED-Lk 17:28. They were going about business as usual and not suspecting that their day of judgment was at hand. These did not believe they would be destroyed, until the time it actually happened. It is much the sametoday. 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-Lk 17:29,30. For THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED-2 Pe 2:9.

15-The Lord Determined To Go To Sodom

    THE TWO ANGELS ARRIVED AT SODOM IN THE EVENING, AND LOT WAS SITTING IN THE GATEWAY OF THE CITY-Gen 19:1 NIV. This indicates that Lot was in a position of authority in the city. WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE GOT UP TO MEET THEM AND BOWED DOWN WITH HIS FACE TO THE GROUND-Gen 19:1 NIV. THEY TURNED IN UNTO HIM, AND ENTERED INTO HIS HOUSE-Gen 19:2. BUT…THE MEN OF THE CITY…COMPASSED THE HOUSE ROUND, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG…FROM EVERY QUARTER: AND THEY CALLED UNTO LOT, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE ARE THE MEN WHICH CAME IN TO THEE THIS NIGHT? BRING THEM OUT UNTO US, THAT WE MAY KNOW THEM. AND LOT…SAID, I PRAY YOU, BRETHREN, DO NOT SO WICKEDLY…AND (they) CAME NEAR TO BREAK THE DOOR. BUT THE MEN (the two angels) PUT FORTH THEIR HAND, AND PULLED LOT INTO THE HOUSE TO THEM, AND SHUT TO THE DOOR. AND THEY SMOTE THE MEN THAT WERE AT THE DOOR WITH BLINDNESS-Gen 19:4-7,9,10.
AND THE MEN SAID UNTO LOT, HAST THOU HERE ANY BESIDES? SON IN LAW, AND THY SONS, AND THY DAUGHTERS, AND WHATSOEVER THOU HAST IN THE CITY, BRING THEM OUT OF THIS PLACE: FOR WE WILL DESTROY THIS PLACE-Gen 19:12,13.
SO LOT WENT OUT, AND SPOKE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW, WHO WERE PLEDGED TO MARRY HIS DAUGHTERS. HE SAID, “HURRY AND GET OUT OF THIS PLACE, BECAUSE THE LORD IS ABOUT TO DESTROY THE CITY!” BUT HIS SONS-IN-LAW THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING-Gen 19:14 NIV. Remember, it is written, AS…THE DAYS OF LOT…THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28,30. By God’s mercy, the sons-in-law of Lot were being given a chance to escape the fiery judgment and annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrha. They were being given a chance to escape hell. Consider this great tragedy. For the pleasures of just one last day of doing their own will, they chose death and eternal damnation. Consider, for thousands of years already, they have been in hell—all in exchange for just one day of pleasure and choosing not to believe God’s Word. We might consider that their decision to reject God’s offer of mercy, in exchange for a few hours of doing their own will, seems beyond human understanding. To choose eternity in the lake of fire for a few hours of pleasure seems ludicrous, yet so many people today do exactly the same thing: they reject God’s mercy. They refuse to repent of their sins and surrender themselves to the Lordship of Christ. They refuse God’s love, so they can have a few more days, months, or years of selfishness—in exchange, they receive eternal damnation. Is this you?
As it is written, LOT…SEEMED AS ONE THAT MOCKED UNTO HIS SONS IN LAW-Gen 19:14. HIS SONS-IN-LAW THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING-NIV. We might wonder if they thought he was joking, because he appears to have become a compromiser. He appears to have become carnal or lukewarm in his faith. He did not seem to be living separated from Sodom but was a part of the community. His backslidden lifestyle may have nullified his plea to his sons-in-law. The Christians of today are also lukewarm. The people of today also react as Lot’s sons-in-law. When someone talks about Jesus returning, people mock. As it is written, KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT THERE SHALL COME IN THE LAST DAYS SCOFFERS, WALKING AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS, AND SAYING, WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?-2 Pe 3:3,4. Many people today mock and ridicule those who are trying to warn them that Jesus will return, and that they ought to repent.                    

16-Lot And His Family Leave Sodom

AND WHEN THE MORNING AROSE, THEN THE ANGELS HASTENED LOT, SAYING, ARISE, TAKE THY WIFE, AND THY TWO DAUGHTERS, WHICH ARE HERE; LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY OF THE CITY. Note the words, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY OF THE CITY. The next verse continues, AND WHILE HE LINGERED. By lingering, it was evident that Lot was still struggling in his obedience to the Lord in this matter. Though the people of the city were wicked, yet something there seemed to hold an attraction for Lot. He was having some difficulty in leaving. Pulling away from sin, even from our sinful environment or surroundings, may be difficult sometimes. Sin has an alluring attraction for the flesh. Sin may offer pleasure but produces death. Christians are not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness-ref Eph 5:11. Yet it can be difficult to cut those ties. People often refuse to obey God and leave their dead churches. They may not want to leave the blind leaders of the blind. They may refuse to obey God and continue to fellowship with those that hate God. They linger.
AND WHILE HE LINGERED, THE MEN LAID HOLD UPON HIS HAND, AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS WIFE, AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS TWO DAUGHTERS; THE LORD BEING MERCIFUL UNTO HIM: AND THEY BROUGHT HIM FORTH, AND SET HIM WITHOUT THE CITY.
One of the angels said unto Lot, ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE; LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE. Note, two direct commands are given: 1-ESCAPE; 2-LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE. We need to escape from the ways of the world. We need to be set free from the works of darkness. We need to overcome all things. Once we begin to follow Jesus, we should not look back but look forward to Jesus. We should not look back and desire our old sinful ways. Our past is to be put behind us, as we put off the old and put on the new. As it is written, NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Lk 9:62.
The Lord continued, NEITHER STAY THOU IN ALL THE PLAIN; ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED. Again Lot hesitates in obeying the Lord. LOT SAID UNTO THEM, OH, NOT SO, MY LORD. Note that Lot is listening to another voice: a voice of compromise, a voice of fearfulness, a voice prompted by his emotions. Lot said, BEHOLD NOW, THY SERVANT HATH FOUND GRACE IN THY SIGHT, AND THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY MERCY, WHICH THOU HAST SHEWED UNTO ME IN SAVING MY LIFE; AND I CANNOT ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST SOME EVIL TAKE ME, AND I DIE. Lot was fearful. He was not trusting in the Lord as he ought. He did not understand that what he feared might come upon him in the mountain, indeed, might come upon him in Zoar. Lot continued, BEHOLD NOW, THIS CITY IS NEAR TO FLEE UNTO, AND IT IS A LITTLE ONE: OH, LET ME ESCAPE THITHER, (IS IT NOT A LITTLE ONE?) AND MY SOUL SHALL LIVE.
AND HE (the Lord) SAID UNTO HIM, SEE, I HAVE ACCEPTED THEE CONCERNING THIS THING ALSO, THAT I WILL NOT OVERTHROW THIS CITY, FOR THE WHICH THOU HAST SPOKEN-Gen 19:15-21.
HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER. Note the words, I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER. Lot had to escape to safety before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain would take place. THEREFORE THE NAME OF THE CITY WAS CALLED ZOAR. Some may say this represents a type of Rapture wherein the saints have to be removed before the Tribulation can begin.
THE SUN WAS RISEN UPON THE EARTH WHEN LOT ENTERED INTO ZOAR. THEN THE LORD RAINED UPON SODOM AND UPON GOMORRAH BRIMSTONE AND FIRE FROM THE LORD OUT OF HEAVEN; AND HE OVERTHREW THOSE CITIES, AND ALL THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITIES, AND THAT WHICH GREW UPON THE GROUND-Gen 19:22-25. We might consider, in Sodom, since the morning seems to have come and passed, the people were probably laughing and joking about the possibility that their city was going to be destroyed by the Lord. But then it happened, and their mocking, undoubtedly, turned into screams of terror and death.  

17-Lot’s Wife Looks Back (Spiritual Warfare)

    BUT HIS WIFE LOOKED BACK FROM BEHIND HIM, AND SHE BECAME A PILLAR OF SALT-Gen 19:26. She did not believe the words of the Lord. It costher, her life. Many today will not believe God means what He says. It costs them their life.
One might wonder, if Lot’s arguing with the Lord about not going to the mountain but rather to Zoar, and succeeding; could have caused his wife to think that she could disregard God’s warning, by looking back, and nothing would happen. Was her looking back simply to see what had happened? or was it a longing for the city she had left? Was it a desire to return to the old, rather than proceed on to the new, to which God, in His mercy, had called her? It appears her heart was still in Sodom. She had left behind her house, her friends, and the sons-in-law that were engaged to her two daughters. It is written, REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE-Lk 17:32. Once God has called a person out of the darkness into His marvelous light, he is not to look back.
Remember how Lot was afraid, at first, to escape to the mountain, lest some evil would overtake him? It is written, AND LOT WENT UP OUT OF ZOAR, AND DWELT IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS WITH HIM; FOR HE FEARED TO DWELL IN ZOAR: AND HE DWELT IN A CAVE-Gen 19:30. How much better it is to obey God the first time and not argue with Him. We need to learn to be childlike, humble, and submissive before God’s Word without arguing.
Lot had gone toward Sodom with great riches. He came out, hesitantly, having nearly nothing. He had become a compromiser. He came out with a carnal or lukewarm attitude. He had become fearful. He had lost nearly all worldly possessions, even his house. He lost his sons-in-law. He lost his friends. He lost his wife, and his daughters had become perverted. Lot went toward Sodom rich. He came out poor.
Did Lot succeed in causing Sodom to repent? No. Did they cause him to become carnal? Did his wife and daughters turn from the ways of God? Yes. Were the sons-in-law, who were engaged to his daughters, men of faith? No.
AND THE FIRSTBORN SAID UNTO THE YOUNGER, OUR FATHER IS OLD, AND THERE IS NOT A MAN IN THE EARTH TO COME IN UNTO US (that we may preserve seed of our father)…COME, LET US MAKE OUR FATHER DRINK WINE, AND WE WILL LIE WITH HIM…AND THE FIRSTBORN WENT IN, AND LAY WITH HER FATHER; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT…AND…ON THE MORROW…THE YOUNGER AROSE, AND LAY WITH HIM-Gen 19:31-35. Lot’s own daughters had become perverted with the standards of Sodom.                 

18-How It Was In The Days Of Lot

• Lot had great riches and chose to go in the direction of the wicked

• The area was well watered

• The area they lived in was desirable

• It was a good place to live

• Their sin was very grievous

• Their conversation was wicked

• They were ungodly

• They did unlawful or lawless deeds

• Their grapes were grapes of gall

• Their clusters were bitter

• They did not hide their sin

• They gave themselves over to fornication

• They went after strange flesh

• They committed adultery

• They walked in lies

• They strengthened the hands of the evildoers

• They worked to prevent people from repenting

• They had much pride

• They were arrogant

• They had much food and were overfed

• They had an abundance of idleness

• They did not help the poor and needy

• They were haughty

• They committed abominations or detestable things

• Homosexuality abounded in the city

• There were not ten righteous men in the city (very, very few were really following God)

• Yet if the mighty works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day

• Judgment and destruction was about to come upon them

• Yet they drank

• They bought

• They sold

• They planted

• They builded (going about business as usual)

• They did not believe judgment would really come upon them

• They mocked and ridiculed those who warned that God’s judgment was coming

(also)

• Lot was vexed with their unlawful deeds, yet he chose to dwell there

• Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they refused to believe

• Lot lingered (hesitated to leave)

• Lot’s family appears to have lingered

• Lot had become worldly or lukewarm

• God delivered His people before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed

• Lot argued with the Lord about where he should go

• Lot was fearful

• Lot’s trust in the Lord to take care of him in the mountain was lacking

• Lot did not set as good an example as he could have for his family

• Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt

• Lot’s wife did not believe God’s Word

• Lot’s daughters had become perverted

• They were not seeking holiness

• They did not patiently trust and wait upon the Lord (ref Gen 19:30-38)

   Today, it is much the same.  Judgment is coming, but few understand