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?