THE DAYS OF LOT
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
The kingdom of God is an invisible, spiritual kingdom. It cannot be located by co-ordinates of longitude and latitude. One must be born from above to either see it, or enter it. And that birth is by the Holy Spirit, moving like the wind. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
In verse twenty-two the Lord sets it forth to his disciples that the kingdom will come without his physical presence among them. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And he instructs them that in the gospel kingdom, not only will the Holy Spirit be like the wind in revealing Himself to them, but also like the lightening. John the Baptist spoke of regeneration as being baptized by Christ “with fire.” (Matt. 3:11) And the Apostle Paul refers to Christ’s dealings by “the spirit of his mouth” and “the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Then our Lord includes the days of two different men in order to set forth some awareness of his own gospel days. For both Noah’s and Lot’s days are given as examples to reveal glimpses of the Son of man’s days. Noah’s days, ending with a universal flood, reveal the very last days when the world shall again be destroyed, but by fire.
Consider Peter’s writings: 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting 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? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Then we are given the days of Lot, which was a local judgment to allow us to see the segments of gospel advancement throughout it’s age upon the earth. For the believers, like Lot, are instructed to flee to safer cities as persecution arises due to the truth of the gospel upon their society. Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
But regarding Lot we must consider one strange truth. That is, he was not supposed to be going with Abram. Consider these two verses. Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Abram was clearly instructed to “Get thee from thy kindred.” This was the first issue of faith to Abram as it still is to the entire Christian church. For that issue has not been rescinded, but has been restated by our Lord himself. Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
And do you see who the Lord said would be the foes of the believer? – they of his own household. Consider Luke’s writing of this matter: Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. We bless ourselves in our families, falsely promising that it is our procreating of the natural birth and not the Lord’s birthing souls by the Holy Spirit that shall fill heaven!
Yet what are we to make of Lot not supposed to be going with Abram? First we must understand that his going had to be of God’s secret council. For both the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Peter spoke of him. And the apostle speaks of him as “just Lot.” But that English word does not mean “only” Lot. That word “just” in 2 Peter 2:7, is the same Greek word translated “righteous” in 2 Peter 2:8.
And in that verse eight it informs us that Lot’s righteous soul was sorely vexed in having to dwell among such a society void of God. Therefore he is no different from the son who left the father’s house and was joined to a Gentile citizen who gave him the task of feeding swine. Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
For whether it is spiritual or physical pigs, both Lot and the prodigal had to deal with the reprobate. 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. And both had to be pulled from the fires of lust and of approaching judgment. Jude 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Therefore the days of Lot represent those reoccurring judgments that finish out the gospel cycle in one location, forcing the believers to flee from the wrath to come. Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
But there is one important fact which we must not fail to set forth. All of us Gentiles were “supposed” to be left behind as well. For in times past we were without hope, and in the world without God. Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
The concept that Gentiles were to be included as children of Abraham was completely foreign to the church for centuries. Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
But now are all believers, both Jew and Gentile, seen to be the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Abraham was not a Jew! He was a Gentile among idolators, living in the Ur of the Chaldees. Nehemiah 9:7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
Now the spiritual Jew is not one with outward physical features, received from the natural birth. But the true Jew is one born of the Holy Spirit, no matter what the national origin! Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
There is but only one true church, with no national, or former religious distinctions. Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Whatever the obstruction produced by the practice of the former Jewish religion, the Lord Jesus removed it, taking it out of the way for the making of one body of believers. Ephesians 2:11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
The law of Moses is also the law of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he is THE ONLY human who could keep it. – which he did on our behalf! Matthew 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Therefore Lot coming along with Abram reveals God permitting that which he had previously spoken against, giving a glimpse of the inflowing of the Gentile believers into the church. For the Lord himself had formerly commanded his disciples to go only to Israel. Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. For the salvation of Gentiles, as has been shown, was then a hidden mystery.
Pastor Gene Breed
June 7, 2019
