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?

Humanity: The Lost Moral Being Pt. 2

I’m neither an animal rights activist nor an extreme environmentalist – but I do know people who could be labeled as such. Many times I’ve found myself biting my tongue while listening to these people go on and on about how much smarter the animals are than humans, or that animals were God’s favorite creation and we were simply created as caretakers. Of course, the reason I bit my tongue was because arguing with these people is both infuriating and a waste of time.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love animals, but I take a slightly different view of them. Animals are not moral beings; they don’t understand the difference between right and wrong. Although an important part of creation, humanity was the crowning glory of God’s creation here on Earth. In a sense, they are smarter than us because they fully trusted God and weren’t led astray by temptation – albeit that was mostly because they’re not moral beings – but they have never forgotten their Creator.

Of course, that doesn’t give us the right to abuse, mistreat, or hunt the animals simply for sport. For anyone who has been an Adventist for even a short while, the term “stewardship” should be familiar. Unfortunately, most churches focus on the money aspect of stewardship and forget the rest of it.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I now give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the entire earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” (Gen 1:28-29, NET)

After the creation was complete, God gave the earth to Adam and Eve to govern, care for, and protect and my personal belief is that that role of protector and care-taker – although changed – was not revoked at the fall. Part of our stewardship toward God is to continue to care for the world and creatures around us.

And why do I believe this, you might be asking. Because it’s our fault that the earth is as it is. Because humanity is the only moral being here on Earth, EVERYTHING changed and became sinful because of our choices, not because of their own choices.


"Everything is under fixed laws, which cannot be disregarded. But while everything in nature is governed by natural laws, man alone, of all that inhabits the earth, is amenable to moral law. (PP 52) ...So long as Adam remained loyal to Heaven, all nature was in subjection to him. But when he rebelled against the divine law, the inferior creatures were in rebellion against his rule." (PP 59).


It is our fault that plants and animals die and struggle to survive. It is our fault that the earth is facing global warming. EVERYTHING is our fault. Not only did we subject this planet and all its inhabitants to sin, but we have forgotten our God-given duty to care for all life - flora, fauna, human - that resides upon this planet.

Humanity: The Lost Moral Being Pt. 1

Excuse me for a moment as I rant...

What is society become? What is it leading to? We live in a society that, rather than growing, is digressing! We are not only repeating the same stupid mistakes of our forefathers, but we're repeating the same stupid mistakes that our first parents made!

"Everything is under fixed laws, which cannot be disregarded. But while everything in nature is governed by natural laws, man alone, of all that inhabits the earth, is amenable to moral law. To man, the crowning work of creation, God has given power to understand His requirements, to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law, and its sacred claims upon him; and of man unswerving obedience is required." (PP 52)

So there there they are in Eden - our first parents - living in a true utopia with the ability to understand God's moral and natural laws, not to mention the warnings of both God and the angels, and they screw it up! They believe the lies of a snake - literally and figuratively - and fail to withstand his temptation. But that's not even the worst of it! Oh no...Adam and Eve have the audacity to not only blame each other and the snake, but they blame God!

"It was the woman that You gave me..."

"It was the snake that You created..."

Here we have the only two inhabitants of the planet earth that are supposed morally conscious, and they FAIL!

And are we any different? Not usually. "He made me do it!" "She made me so angry!" "God let it happen!"

We blame everyone but ourselves, it's never our fault, we're just victims of our circumstance. Come on people, wake up and smell the deception!

Ellen White says that "Though he [Satan] had found sin to result in infinite loss, he concealed his own misery in order to draw others into the same position." (PP 55)

You know that old phrase "misery loves company"? Well it's true, and Satan is utilizing it. Every time that we fall into temptation, and then lay the blame at someone else's feet, we are playing directly into his hands.

Now to be fair, as soon as Adam and Eve yielded to temptation, their nature became "so depraved that in themselves they would have no power and no disposition to resist Satan." (PP 53) So yes, it's difficult for us to withstand temptation, but for crying out loud at least own up! Take responsibility for yourself!

"In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth....All the lessons which God has caused to be placed on record in His word are for our warning and instruction. They are given to save us from deception. Their neglect will result in ruin to ourselves. Whatever contradicts God's word, we may be sure proceeds from Satan." (PP 55)

So wake up! Start being aware of your everyday choices! Start making conscious decisions. And for Pete's sake STOP blaming everyone but yourself!