Purpose
Prophecy was given so that a people would remain watchful. When the words of the prophets and the teachings of Yahushua are understood together, the times begin to come into focus.
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Introduction
Pastors often love to tell the story of Noah. As I have shared before in my video series, A Timeless Walk in Faith, I covered what I call the cradle of society—ancient Mesopotamia. Through its history and written records, we can better understand the world from which the Hebrews emerged as a people.
Even though the account of Noah is not found in Mesopotamian writings, thy do tell of the flood but with different names and deities. The flood stories are found across many cultures and traditions. The story of Noah in scripture is important, but equally important is understanding the role of the watchers and what emerged after the flood, the spiritual conditions that developed in the generations that followed.
As time passed, we arrive at the account of Abram and his nephew Lot. The region Lot chose eventually resembled the wickedness that existed in the days of Noah. The question we must ask ourselves is this:
Are we seeing that same evil today?
The Normalization of Sin
In Luke 17:28–30, Yeshua said:
“Likewise, as it was in the days of Lot—people ate and drank, bought and sold, planted and built; but on the day Lot left S’dom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. That is how it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”
This passage is not primarily emphasizing the specific sins of Sodom. Instead, it highlights how normal sin had become.
The people were simply living their lives—planting, building, buying, and selling. Everything appeared ordinary. That is often how corruption spreads. Sin becomes accepted, then normalized, and eventually celebrated.
What I have observed is that sin often becomes normalized not only through society but also through religion. Throughout history, when a social movement begins, religious institutions often stand against it. Yet, as society increasingly accepts that movement, many religious institutions slowly change their positions.
When this happens, it accelerates acceptance. Once one religious group embraces a sinful practice, others often follow, making what was once condemned become a normal part of society, just as it was in Sodom.
Lot’s Hesitation
Genesis 19:1–29 tells the story of the two messengers who came to Sodom and stayed in Lot’s house. The men of the city, both young and old, gathered around the house desiring to commit wicked acts with the visitors.
For the people of Sodom, this behavior had become normal.
What is striking is Lot’s response. He offered his daughters instead. We are left asking:
- Where was Lot’s heart?
- Why did he not fully trust in Yahweh’s power?
When the messengers finally acted, they struck the men with blindness. Later, after Lot and his family left the city, judgment came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Throughout the account, Lot appears hesitant and reluctant to leave. The messengers gave a clear command:
Do not look back.
Yet Lot’s wife did exactly that.
There is a difference between learning from history and longing for what Yahweh has called us to leave behind. We should look back to learn from past mistakes, but when Yahweh gives us instructions for life, our eyes must remain fixed on where He is leading us.
Too often we keep looking back at what we left instead of looking forward to the promises that lie ahead.
A Warning for Future Generations
Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 2:6–9:
“And He condemned the cities of S’dom and ’Amora, reducing them to ashes and ruin, as a warning to those in the future who would live ungodly lives; but He rescued Lot, a righteous man who was distressed by the debauchery of those unprincipled people.”
Peter makes it clear that Sodom serves as a warning for future generations.
We are that future generation.
Yet many have lost their fear of Yahweh. Even within religious organizations, many who claim to follow Scripture have embraced teachings and practices that Scripture calls an abomination. Some who stand before congregations now celebrate what previous generations would have openly condemned.
The warning of Sodom was never meant to be ignored.
Following the Pattern
Jude 7 says:
“And S’dom, ’Amora and the surrounding cities, following a pattern like theirs, committing sexual sins and perversions, lie exposed as a warning of the everlasting fire awaiting those who must undergo punishment.”
Jude speaks of a pattern; a progression of embracing immorality.
Throughout history, cultures have wrestled with these issues in different ways. Ancient Egyptian and Greek societies had their own practices and beliefs regarding sexuality. In more modern times, the term homosexuality itself was coined in 1869 by Hungarian-born Austrian journalist Karl-Maria Kertbeny in a German pamphlet.
History also shows that religious and cultural views have shifted over time. Martin Luther’s German Bible translation used terms such as knabenschander, meaning “boy molesters,” which heavily influenced European moral thought for centuries.
Several centuries later, advocates such as Kertbeny argued that same-sex attraction was innate and that governments should not involve themselves in private matters.
Modern Jewish writers have also debated and reinterpreted passages concerning sexuality and even figures such as King David claiming that he was gay or at least bisexual. These discussions demonstrate how societies continually revisit and redefine moral boundaries.
The concern for believers is not simply that culture changes, but that religious institutions often change alongside it.
Standing Firm in the Last Days
As we look at the end times, it becomes clear that humanity is repeating many of the patterns found in Scripture. We are witnessing societies that increasingly redefine morality and embrace practices once considered sinful.
The deception can become so great that remaining faithful requires believers to stay anchored in the instructions of Yahweh and the truth of His Word.
The question each of us must answer is this:
Are you embracing the modern movements of culture, or are you standing firm in the instructions of Yahweh?
Looking Ahead to Next Week’s Teaching:
When Evil Is Called Good: The Reversal of Moral Boundaries
We will examine how societies redefine truth and morality and why believers must remain anchored to Scripture rather than public opinion.
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Final Thoughts
The Scriptures repeatedly warn against placing confidence in appearances, institutions, or promises made by religious organizations. While the world continually searches for security and understanding through human solutions, Yahweh calls His people to remain awake, discerning, and faithful.
The days of Lot were marked by moral confusion, spiritual blindness, and a society that no longer recognized its own corruption. Yeshua warned that the conditions surrounding His return would resemble those days once again.
May we be found watching, discerning, and walking faithfully in obedience to Him.
Until next time,
Shalom
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