Years ago, an internet aquaintance of mine named Jerry Cesario shared the following analysis regarding what Jesus meant when he said that it will be like "The Days of Lot" when the signs of the End Times would be near.
Unfortunately, I lost touch with Jerry, but before we parted ways he gave me permission to post his piece anywhere that I saw fit. (Note: Jerry! If you come across my blog please post a "hello" my friend!)
With all of the talk and analyses going on about the "why did this happen" and the speculation about the possible spiritual meaning of the destruction of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina, I thought I would post Jerry's well written piece. It is as legitimate today as it was when he first wrote it. At the end, I will post a link to my message board where I had originally posted it. The thread is a long one with over 65 replies and 1,114 individual IP address views! It continues to remain a popular read since it was first posted in 2003.
Please feel free to comment (respectfully, of course) on any part of the article that you wish to discuss.
Christine
*******
Volume II Issue #8 AUGUST, 2003
The Days Of Lot
"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30
While I am painfully aware that this month's commentary is not without controversy, I have struggled long and hard with how to present it. Unfortunately, there is just no other way than to just get it out. If you are offended by it, then good. I hope that you will search the Scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). Now that I have your attention, let me just say that I am going to do my best to expose this darkness, but share the love and mercy of Christ as well. I am also going to use a lot of Scripture, as the Holy Spirit needs to be able to do His job through the understanding of His Word.
The story of Abraham and Lot should be familiar to everyone, however I will refresh your memory on the details. Lot was Abraham's nephew and they had left Ur together in search of the Promised Land. Because God had prospered them both with huge herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, the land began to be too small for their needs. At that point they agreed to separate and each find room for their herds, flocks and families. Abraham let Lot choose first and he chose the plain of Sodom to dwell in. As time would go on, it would become apparent that Lot had made a poor choice.
The Bible does not have a lot to say about Sodom other than that it was very wicked.
Genesis 18:20-21
" And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
We aren't told just what this grievous sin is until the next chapter...
Genesis 19...
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
2 And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way."
And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square."
3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
5 And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally."
6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,
7 and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!
8 See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof."
9 And they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.
10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.
As I said, the Bible doesn't say much about Sodom, but what it does say is loud and clear. There are days worth of study in this passage friends.
Why was Lot sitting at the gate? This signified his high position on the city council. Lot was tolerant of the rampant sin in the city.
What an apt picture of our day and age friends. This is our first clue to why Jesus pointed out the days of Lot as a model for the time of His return. However the second, and most glaring, description of Sodom is that it was filled with the sin of homosexuality. The men of Sodom wanted the 'men' that had come to Lot's house. In fact, they wanted them so bad that they tried to break down the door to get them, and, according to their own words, they wanted them just to have sex with them. They would not even accept the offer of Lot's daughters. Nope. They burned in lust for the men that had come to town.
So where does that leave us today?
Jesus likened the days of his return unto the days of Lot. What do we know about the days of Lot other than the rampant homosexuality that marked it? Isn't it odd that we do not know much more about it? I do not think so. In fact, I believe that it is exactly what Jesus was referring to.
The homosexual agenda has been pushing at us for decades with a marked increase in recent years. MTV has been a big factor in pushing it on shows like The Real World and Road Rules. Numerous TV shows, plays and even music stars have been instrumental in advance the homosexual lifestyle upon the world. However, it really seems that there has been a definitive increase in recent weeks. It is as if a line has been crossed, or a dam has been breached and the flood of homosexuality has begun to fill the world. I believe that the dam that broke was the Church.
The big news recently was the appointment of the so-called "Gay Bishop". Deluded statements like, "Once again Jesus has turned Good Friday into Easter Sunday" (quoted by Gene Robinson on the day of his appointment), and "We have come to the conclusion as a Church that homosexuality is not wrong. It is just another of the many ways that God expresses himself through man." (in a statement made days earlier regarding the so-called 'Heresy Meeting' days before the appointment by a Episcopalian Church leader).
I do not think that many folks realize the spiritual significance of this story. This should never have even come up for discussion. This was the last frontier for the homosexual agenda friends and now it has been reached! The moral implications not withstanding, the legal implications are going to be very grave indeed. The door is wide open for the homosexual lifestyle to permeate every aspect of society now.
You may have noticed that right on the heels of the bishop appointment were a flurry of TV shows on both cable networks and regular television (to use a phrase lightly). Many more are being advertised for the upcoming season as well. You see, that is the whole point. Now that Satan has officially sanctioned the homosexual lifestyle in the Church, what is holding back the same agenda in the world? Every church is now going to be expected, probably forced, to allow homosexuals to be placed in ministry positions. We can not only expect the flood to fill the obvious demonic controlled areas of society, but now the Church as well. Surely Jesus is coming for his Bride!
Is there anything wrong with homosexual sex? Many today actually believe that it is fine, if homosexuals just keep it to themselves. Well, what does the Word of God have to say about it?
Leviticus 20:13
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
It seems pretty clear what God thinks about the act of gay sex. But that was Old Testament some would say...
Romans 1 gives us an overall description of the fate of those who reject God and His salvation through Jesus Christ...
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.
And later we read that homosexuals will not enter in to Heaven unless they repent of their homosexual sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Again in I Timothy 1:10
10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
I think the Bible is pretty clear, don't you?
The problem isn't with homosexuality exclusively. You can replace that sin with any from the list, it simply doesn't matter. Sin is sin is sin! That is the key to this whole thing. However, the elusion to the days of Lot by Jesus Christ, and the delusion that is spreading in the world today are unmistakably linked to the homosexual lifestyle. Thus it is the issue that needs to be dealt with today.
As followers of and believers in Jesus Christ we must be compassionate and seek every opportunity to extend the Gospel to all sinners. Homosexuals do not need to be reminded of their specific sins, but rather that their sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus, should they want it and confess that Jesus is Lord.
For those who are watching the skies and looking for Christ's return, this impending flood is inching oh so much closer. The great rescuing of the Church is surely nigh. Keep the faith saints, and do not bend on the essentials of the faith. The degree of sin being displayed may be perceived as worse than any other, but it is still just sin. We were all guilty before we received the grace of God. Don't forget that God dearly loves the sinner and does not have any joy in the death of the wicked. He loves the homosexual just as much as any other, so much that he sent his Son to die for them too...
Written by Jerry Cesario
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12 comments:
Thank God that Governor Arnold vetoed AB 849, the 'gay' marriage bill. The liberal legislators in California once again tried to sneak an 'end run bill' around Proposition 22; which was overwhelmingly passed by 62% of the voters in 2000! The fact that several state congressman and state senators caved in to the pressure of the radical gay lobbyists is just appalling!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this victory for traditional pro-family morals and values! We praise your Holy Name!
Christine:
Thanks be to God for this token of
victory for traditional families. Praise be to Christ.
Saltnlight
Christine:
I find the most powerful statement in Jerry's analysis to be: "Homosexuals do not need to be reminded of their specific sins..."
The words are thought provoking and well worth the read by ALL believers and nonbelievers. Thanks for posting it and have a great day when you get up! (ss)
Hi Susan,
The second part of that quote is very important, too.
"[b]ut rather that their sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus, should they want it and confess that Jesus is Lord."
I thought this part was very significant, too:
"I do not think that many folks realize the spiritual significance of this story. This should never have even come up for discussion. This was the last frontier for the homosexual agenda friends and now it has been reached! The moral implications not withstanding, the legal implications are going to be very grave indeed. The door is wide open for the homosexual lifestyle to permeate every aspect of society now."
In today's society, people are more apt to be deceived into thinking that homosexual behavior is not sin. The danger in that is that they are being seriously misled about this issue and as a result may be more inclined not to confess it AS sin in their lives.
It is more obvious to all of us that the sin of murder, if NOT confessed, would keep someone out of the kingdom of God. However, people are often misled to believe that a "little white lie" or "stealing something small" or "homosexual behavior" is not as serious a sin, thus doesn't matter. Not true, is it? As Jerry pointed out in his article, "sin is sin is sin." Wouldn't holding back the confession of a specific sin on our souls keep us from being forgiven for it? God gave each of us a conscience to know right from wrong. What society dictates as NOT being wrong doesn't escape the fact that the Bible SAYS it is wrong and needs to be repented of in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Satan has placed a strong delusion among people today to get them to think that they are 'saved' when what they are doing (i.e. via the gay-behavior affirming churches) is falsely 'sanctifying' relationships that are anathema to Holy God. The book of Jude warns us about heresy and apostasy infiltrating the churches. As the "Way of the Master" book points out so very clearly, those that reject clear biblical teachings and embrace false doctrine and error, end up becoming false converts. It was evident then, as it is now.
Jude 3-23 (NLT)
The Danger of False Teachers
3 Dearly loved friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the truth of the Good News.* God gave this unchanging truth once for all time to his holy people. 4 I say this because some godless people have wormed their way in among you, saying that God's forgiveness allows us to live immoral lives. The fate of such people was determined long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5 I must remind you-and you know it well-that even though the Lord* rescued the whole nation of Israel from Egypt, he later destroyed every one of those who did not remain faithful. 6 And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the day of judgment. 7 And don't forget the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with sexual immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and are a warning of the eternal fire that will punish all who are evil.
8 Yet these false teachers, who claim authority from their dreams, live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at the power of the glorious ones.* 9 But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse Satan of blasphemy, but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." (This took place when Michael was arguing with Satan about Moses' body.) 10 But these people mock and curse the things they do not understand. Like animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and they bring about their own destruction. 11 How terrible it will be for them! For they follow the evil example of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they will do anything for money. And like Korah, they will perish because of their rebellion.
12 When these people join you in fellowship meals celebrating the love of the Lord, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you.* They are shameless in the way they care only about themselves. They are like clouds blowing over dry land without giving rain, promising much but producing nothing. They are like trees without fruit at harvesttime. They are not only dead but doubly dead, for they have been pulled out by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the dirty foam of their shameful deeds. They are wandering stars, heading for everlasting gloom and darkness.
14 Now Enoch, who lived seven generations after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said,
"Look, the Lord is coming
with thousands of his holy ones.
15
He will bring the people of the world
to judgment.
He will convict the ungodly of all the evil things
they have done in rebellion
and of all the insults that godless sinners
have spoken against him."*
16 These people are grumblers and complainers, doing whatever evil they feel like. They are loudmouthed braggarts, and they flatter others to get favors in return.
A Call to Remain Faithful
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, 18 that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. 19 Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God's Spirit living in them.
20 But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.* 21 Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. 22 Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you aren't contaminated by their sins.*
A Prayer of Praise
24 And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. 25 All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen.
Footnotes:
1:3 Greek to contend for the faith.
1:5 Some manuscripts read Jesus.
1:8 The glorious ones are probably evil angels.
1:12 Or they are contaminants among you, or they are stains.
1:14 The quotation comes from the Apocrypha: Enoch 1:9.
1:15 The quotation comes from the Apocrypha: Enoch 1:9.
1:20 Greek Pray in the Holy Spirit.
1:23 Greek mercy, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Christine, I could no more confess every sin in my life than I could thank God for every blessing I've received.
I did not say the entire quote was not important. I said:
"I find the most powerful statement in Jerry's analysis to be: "Homosexuals do not need to be reminded of their specific sins..."
You may believe the second part of the quote is very important; however, if you desire to minister to an active homosexual, the first part is powerful. The greatest deception is to believe you cannot be deceived. (ss)
Hi Susan,
I agree with you. We cannot possibly even remember every sin we have committed no less confess each and every one!
What I was referring to was the secular humanistic attitude that is being espoused (and, unfortunately even believed by some who profess that they are Christians!) today that homosexual behavior is not sin at all.
Just like the attitude that murder is not sin would be damaging to the person's soul (whomever might believe such a thing); the damage of the attitude that homosexuality is not sin might cause a person to remain in that unrepentant state of being. Thus, they would miss the opportunity for the forgiveness offered through Christ and reconcilation with God. The grace, mercy, love and assurance of salvation that is available to them through Jesus Christ requires such repentance. Repentance is required from ALL of us for ALL of our sins. It is what leads to being born again through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes. There are sins of commission (it's wrong and we do it anyway) and omission (it's wrong but we forget all of them). The ones that we have forgotten we have committed as well as the ones we have deliberately committed need to be repented of. However, the sins that we don't want to "give up", so to speak, are the ones that keep us in the darkness of Satan's realm.
I am not talking about backsliding here. I am talking about the deliberate continuation in the throes of sinful behavior (no matter what kind it is) without the knowledge or heart for repentance.
This is what was meant by Paul in the following verses and where we get the saying, "God forbid" from:
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Susan stated: "You may believe the second part of the quote is very important; however, if you desire to minister to an active homosexual, the first part is powerful. The greatest deception is to believe you cannot be deceived."
I think you are so right about that first sentence! I'm sure that I could learn a lot from your mentor and how she presented the truth to you.
But it is difficult to do. From the accounts I have read from Stephen and Dwayna and another ex-gay man I met a while back, I have often found that no matter how lovingly a person tries to share the gospel with active homosexuals, it is taken the wrong way and Christians are viewed as bigoted, hateful, judgmental etc.
It often appears to be impossible to share the Law of God with individuals who are in rebellion to those very Laws! They can't get the message of the gospel of Christ without being told that they have broken the Law of God (as we all have!)
Many times, they are enraged and indignant at first. (According to his testimony, Stephen went through this.) At first he was angry with the Christian woman who pointed out the verses in the Bible which were directly related to the type of sin he was involved with.
But I think that we ALL need to go through that transition! It may not be the same, particular sins that we are discussing here, but the realization of breaking the Law of God is often a devastating and humbling experience.
It was for me!!
Once saved, however, the mercy of God through Christ awakens our spirit to the Good News and makes it even deeper!! At least that is my experience. Knowing that because of Christ, and Him alone, my sins are as far as the east is from the west! That's amazing grace and I want everyone to know that they can have this through the Cross of Christ!
I agree with you Christine. It is so easy to stereotype homosexuals as being deceived. You know it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin, not intellectual arguments. I believe most Christians drive homosexuals away from the good news of the gospel when a particular sin is "stuffed down ones throat". I am NOT saying to condone the sin... I am saying let the power of God work in the person's life and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit... NOT the leading of the fleshly desire to be right and win an argument.
It is my personal experience that the Love of God never fails and I believe that is scriptural. A good intellectual argument will gain no ground in the kingdom. We must be born again and receive new hearts by the Power of God.
I do not believe active homosexuals are as deceived as some believe. Though I lived the homosexual lifestyle for more than 20 years, I never believed it was righteous in the eyes of God, just as one who gossips or gets drunk does not believe their behavior is righteous.
God works with different people in different ways; however, I have never met a former-homosexual that was delivered by arguments about the sin of homosexuality. God knows how to bring needy people into the overflow of HIS life using believers as willing vessels. I do not go out HUNTING for someone to witness to about the sin of homosexuality... God brings them to me as divine appointments and God does the work, not me. All the glory belongs to Him alone. It is the Lord who prepares hearts and minds to receive salvation from homosexuality or any other sin.
I believe self-righteouness is just as deadly as unrighteousness, because it is so deceptive. Forgive me for being so wordy and perhaps not as humble as I should be in my choice of words. It is past my time to log off. Have a good day as I am sleeping. I am praying for you and hope you do the same for me. God bless you as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in this journey called life on earth. Yours in Christ,
Susan
Beautifully said my sister Susan! I am certainly learning so much from you! Please feel free to share as much (or as little) as you are led to share here! I appreciate all of your words...
I want to write more but need to get ready to go to a charity function.
Actually, that's probably a good thing...then I won't talk to much in my reply! hehe ;-)
Sleep well, dear sister in Christ,
Christine
Christine, you will be in heaven before you realize how God has made you such a blessing in my life. It is a joy to speak about Him with you. I know He has beautiful things written in His book of remembrance (MAL) about the kind and encouraging words you give to everyone who visits your blog. You speak words that minister, words that never destroy and this is truly a gift of God. Praise His Name!
I mentioned how God brings "needy" souls into our lives and I know my finding your blog was a divine appointment. God has ministered to my needs through many of your words. Thank you for feeding the flock and being the true salt and light to all who come. Your blog is a fresh oasis in the desert of this world and I have drank freely.
Have a wonderful day and Shabbat Shalom. Love,
Susan
Wow Susan...you really know how to make a grown woman cry! Tears of joy, that is!
I pray that this blog will be pleasing to our Lord. I pray that it will minister to all those who come here and read it.
I do realize that this isn't always possible because of the influence of the adversary and how he causes division, despair, disharmony, delusion and suppression of the truth to those who are perishing.
Some people from the opposite side of the cultural, social, political, and religious spectrum who visit this blog would most likely not agree with your analysis...that's for sure!
But I am glad to see a fellow sister in Christ provide uplifting messages towards me and my posts despite my failings and fallibility. This is why I thank God for you, Susan. You are also seen by me as 'a joy to talk to' about the Lord; and, one who 'ministers to lost souls' here; as well as one who feeds the flock; and one who is involved with being 'salt and light to those' who read here.
You are truly one who is a blessing to ME...ya know...the 'crazy lady' who needs it the most! haha
We both know to Whom ALL the glory belongs. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith; and we are lifted up by the Joy that we share together through knowing Him!
I am so grateful that our beautiful Savior and Lord brought us together through this blog. Yes. It was a divine appointment and continues to be a blessing in our lives. One day we will celebrate together in eternity!
Love in Him,
Christine
Hi Christine...I was actually looking for my revelation commentary online and found this...you said to say "HI" if I ever did...
Is that you Jerry Cesario??
Sorry about the delay in response. I used to have a message board and had your Revelation commentaries there (It was also called Talk Wisdom). But I deleted it a few years after starting this blog in 2004.
Thanks for stopping by and saying "hi!" Do you have a website, blog, or do you post at any message boards?
Hope you return often!
Sincerely,
Christine
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