Genesis 19:1-16

“But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!’” (Genesis 19:4–5, NLT)

Lot was living in wicked Sodom and sitting at the city gate, the place where city officials gathered and judgments were made. Perhaps Lot felt that by serving the community he could be a righteous influence. When Lot saw the two angels, he strongly persuaded them to come home with him rather than spending the night in the open square. But his attempt to protect them did nothing to quench the burning lust in the men of Sodom.

All the men of the city demanded that Lot bring out the two men so that they could rape them. Lot said, “Please do not do so wickedly!” They replied:

“This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” (Genesis 19:9, NKJV)

This seems appalling, but the truth is that we can expect such things in these last days. Wickedness is abounding. What was once shameful is now tolerated and even approved. We may think that we are being a righteous influence, and we should be salt and light, but we should not be surprised if people react to us as the Sodomites reacted to Lot. They may accuse us of being judges and do everything they can to destroy us. But Jesus warned us that it would be this way.

“And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building—until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28–30, NLT)

Knowing that the world will get darker and people will become increasingly lawless, rebellious, and hostile toward Christians, how should we live? How can we faithfully serve Christ and others until He comes to deliver us? What are we willing to suffer to stand with Christ?