Fatal Desensitization

A short time ago, I came across a passage in a book that drew a very clear parallel between "Babylon" as found in Revelation and modern day US of A. As much as I hate to see that parallel, there were certain similarities that I couldn't dismiss. As I read the chapter on the destruction of Sodom in Patriarchs and Prophets, I was even more disturbed.

Anymore I find that watching the news is seriously depressing. Between the economy, increasing natural disasters, and escalating violence it can be hard to focus on the positive. In fact, if I wasn't a Christian who firmly believed in the imminent second coming of Christ, I would probably sink into a deep depression over how bad things have gotten.

However, the words "as in the days of Sodom..." continue to ring through my head. Ellen White says, "While angels drew near on their mission of destruction, men were dreaming of prosperity and pleasure." (PP, 157).

We only know the actions of the inhabitants of Sodom on that last night, but it's easy to imagine their depravity that would lead to utter destruction. Of course, each of us has a different idea of depravity, so we're all probably thinking different specifics.

"That last night was marked by no greater sins than many others before it; but mercy, so long slighted, had at last ceased its pleading." (PP, 159).

There are so many distractions in our society today, and I say this as one who is often tempted and distracted. Most of us Christians can say no to the obvious distractions - those that are blatantly "evil." But the problems we face are the not so obvious distractions, the ones that slowly but surely desensitize us.

Even Lot, who had lived with Abraham, worshiped with him, and learned of his faith first hand could not fully withstand the effect of Sodom. "Living in that wicked city, in the midst of unbelief, his faith had grown dim." (PP, 161).

For the Sodomites, the result was worse. So desensitized had they become that they saw "no evidence of danger. Everything was just as it had been." (PP, 160).

"There is cause for alarm in the condition of the world today." (PP, 166). This statement reminds me of the words from a Casting Crowns song:

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night


America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping...


Through the story of Sodom and Gomorrah "we are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that while God's mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a limit beyond which men may not go on in sin." (PP, 164).

Despite how harsh we might view the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, "It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin." (PP, 165).

As we look at the decaying state of the world around us, it is even more important to evaluate our own lives in light of Scripture. We can no longer afford to put God off until tomorrow. For "God will not always be mocked; He will not long be trifled with." (PP, 167).

The time to decide is now. Will you escape as Lot did, or will you be left to destruction? "The world is fast becoming ripe for destruction. Soon the judgments of God are to be poured out, and sin and sinners are to be consumed." (PP, 166).

The pleasures of the world may last for today, but are you willing to pay the price?

Faith in Light of Despair

Life sucks. Pardon my colloquialism, but I couldn't seem to find any other word that expressed my feelings quite so succinctly. You see, six weeks ago, we received the devastating news that my six month old nephew died in Africa from complications of malaria. Now, every single person in my family is dealing with the grief in their own way and I'm trying to be supportive, but I've found that my patience is waning with those who insist on arguing the safety of babies over following the call of God (my brother is a missionary doctor in Tchad). That's not to say that some of their arguments aren't valid, but I guess I just see the call of God in a different light.

As I was rereading Ellen White's take on Abraham's final test of faith, I was deeply reminded of my brother and the loss that he suffered.

Abraham was by no means a perfect man, yet he is acknowledged as a righteous and faithful man. Abraham passed and failed tests of faith just like the rest of us, and so it was that "God reserved His last, most trying test for Abraham until the burden of years was heavy upon him, and he longed for rest from anxiety and toil." (PP pg. 147). At 120 years of age, with the promised son barely an adult, God came to Abraham and told him to sacrifice Isaac.

The Bible doesn't give us many details, but Ellen White tells us that Satan took advantage of this moment to tempt Abraham away from God's will. Tempted as he was, Abraham turned to God in prayer, yet received to answer. So instead of succumbing to Satan's temptation, Abraham began his journey to Mt. Moriah, praying the whole time that God would see fit to ease his suffering and call off the terrible order. Yet, throughout this entire ordeal and the silence of God, Abraham "did not murmur against God, but strengthened his soul by dwelling upon the evidences of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness." (PP pg. 151).

Most of us are familiar with the ending of the story: Isaac willingly submits to the will of God, and as Abraham is posed over the body of his son, knife raised to kill, the hand of an angel (God?) stays his action. God intervenes, praises Abraham for his faith, and provides a ram for the sacrifice.

"Abraham did not seek to excuse himself from the will of God...He knew that God is just and righteous in all His requirements, and he obeyed the command to the very letter." (PP pg. 153).

"There are many who fail to understand the relation of faith and works...But genuine faith will be manifest in obedience." (PP pg. 154).

For most of us, the call of God is both fulfilling and daunting. We seek to do His will, but when things go wrong, we tend to wonder if we're really following God's will, because wouldn't He protect us so long as we are doing what He has called us to do? This question has hit home for my family as we deal with the grief of losing such a precious child. And yet, I find that my belief in my brother's call and the guiding hand of God is not shaken. I cannot begin to claim understanding in this matter, and someday (soon) hope to receive the answers to my many questions. However, the words of Ellen White ring in my head:

"It was to impress Abraham's mind with the reality of the gospel, as well as to test his faith, that God commanded him to slay his son. the agony which he endured during the dark days of that fearful trial was permitted that he might understand from his own experience something of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the infinite God for man's redemption...There was no voice to cry, 'It is enough.'" (PP pg 154).

God has made no specific promise of life versus death during our time here on Earth. There is no guarantee that we will be safe from pain, sorrow, or suffering. He has, however, promised to be with us, and that one day all of the suffering here on Earth will be gone, and we WILL be reunited with those who have gone before. God is just and righteous in all His requirements...and our faith will be manifest in obedience.

God is rarely early, but He is never late.