Sodom and Gomorrah

Hastening or Hindering, Restraining or Unleashing

Ken

Hastening or hindering, the Almighty allows us much more than we imagine. Children can help parents accomplish their goals or get in the way. When we pray for the fulfillment of prophecy, we are hastening Christ’s Second Coming. “Looking for and hasting [literally, hastening] unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12 KJV). We may pray, “Thy kingdom come” (6:10) and promote His return. But, if we should discourage the faithful from seeking our Lord’s imminent appearing, then we are hindering the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When Jesus promised, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20), shouldn’t we hasten His return by praying, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (22:20)? 

Restraining or unleashing, the LORD God seeks our comradeship in warfare. Allies can assist or delay final victory. Working with the Spirit of God, the godly, as the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), represent the greatest restraining influence in the world against the adversary, his Antichrist, lawlessness, anarchy, malevolence, utter disregard for life, property, and the morals of others. Not simply the influence noticed by the world, e.g., anti-abortion, anti-pornography, pro-family, but the freedom, prosperity, and peace enjoyed by all, results from the peace the LORD grants to the righteous. “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). Though Abraham’s concern was for the welfare of “just Lot” (2Peter 2:7), his intercession provided the Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25) the sanction or approval to unleash His judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, after Lot was removed. 

By contrast, the Great Removal of the Church at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture represents the LORD determining He had sufficient sanction to remove the Restraining Influence — the Spirit Indwelt Saints — from the world. “7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he [Holy Spirit] who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming”  (2Thessalonians 2:7-8 NASB). As an omnipresent influence, the Holy Spirit continues His function in the world, but the noticeable absence of the restraining influence of the raptured believers will be profound. The Almighty will be proceeding with His masterful end game in dealing with the earth. 

LORD, You are sovereign in determining when You will return. We are humbled that You would seek our companionship, labor, and approval in what You choose to do. Grant to us an understanding heart that You may be even more greatly magnified, when You choose to rapture Your Church. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

Don’t Look Back

Ken

Looking back is yearning for calmer, simpler days before all the troubles that came with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 KJV). Why so harsh? Jesus was speaking to someone, who had just said, “Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house” (9:61). Instead of rejoicing about another potential convert, Jesus warned him about turning back— even for the slightest or greatest reason. Why? Because God knows better that we are either all or nothing at all for Him. Trifle not with your decisions. We will not be caught unawares, when the LORD blows His Trump to call us up hither into His Presence. We are not madmen to think this world is falling apart under our feet, unless we are at home in Sodom. LORD, come quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Negotiating With God

Ken

“That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 KJV). Abraham interceded for Lot, when he negotiated for Jehovah’s willingness to put off the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The LORD was not negotiating whether it was right to deal with the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, but He was willing to give the evil twin cities more time to repent — and, they never did! Never mistake God’s merciful kindness for unwillingness or inability.