As in the days of Lot...

The increasing power and influence of the homosexual movement in the United States and the world are breath-taking.  It has been growing over the years, but it seems lately it is growing at warp speed. 

Surely this is a major, major end-time sign.  In Romans 1:26-28, Paul clearly describes homosexuality as the final stage of man's depravity.  Of course, it has probably always existed, but it is now pervasive, on a broad societal scale probably unprecedented in history. 

Because of its perverse and unnatural characteristic, the growth of homosexual power and influence defies rational explanation and logic.  For that reason, and because of its end-time implications, in my humble opinion it is a "spirit," a spiritual stronghold, a principality and power, according to Ephesians 6.  We are not dealing with flesh and blood, but a spirit.  That is how it has been able to captivate our whole society.  It is an end-time outpouring of demon power.  As God gives opportunity, let us minister to the captives, whom Jesus came to set free, and pray for them.  But it must be with spiritual warfare.

(I refuse to use the media's favorite word, "gay."  They have ruined a perfectly good word.)

Although only about 1 percent of the population (in spite of their highly exaggerated claims), the homosexual activists have managed to make their cause center stage in the media, government and politics, business, entertainment and religion.  It has become so politically incorrect to criticize homosexual behavior, even on moral grounds, that public figures risk a loss of career for doing so.  Bible-believing Christians are characterized as intolerant, bigoted, homophobic, and "haters."  Preaching God's Word is considered "hate speech," which may soon bring a jail sentence.    I am told that even conservative and traditional values spokesman Rush Limbaugh is extremely careful about the subject for fear the homosexuals will force his advertisers to drop him.

Influence? Check this one out from June 17, 2000: 

The United Church of Christ provides scholarships for homosexual seminarians, reports the Associated Press.  The Rev. Robert Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches and a United Methodist minister, said, "You have to respect the prophetic work of the United Church of Christ."

"Prophetic work"?  Maybe, but not the way they think.  It is prophetic of the times we are in, "as in the days of Lot." 

The "days of Lot" were days of intense homosexual behavior.  The homosexual debauchery of Sodom and Gomorrah is legendary.  And Jesus drew a parallel between then and about where we probably are in time.  He said, "...as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed" (Luke 17: 28-30).

I will repeat those last few words: "Even THUS SHALL IT BE in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

Lot's last-minute deliverance from Sodom is a type of rapture.   In this passage, I believe the Lord was referring to the rapture.

The conditions of "the days of Lot" are uniquely replicated in our society today.  That is one of many reasons why I believe the rapture is imminent.  As they did for Lot, I believe angels will soon escort God's chosen ones "out of the city," and out of this world. 

Maranatha!

P.S. # 1

This subject is so politically and emotionally charged, that even this Bible-based message to Christians will probably draw fire.

If anyone has a loved one or friend caught up in homosexuality, my advice is to love them and fervantly pray for them, that they will be set free. Never stop demonstrating the love of Christ to them. "Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8). God will somehow honor your love and prayers.

P.S. # 2

A reader reacted to the above article by saying that homosexuality was not the pervasive problem in Sodom, nor the sin of Sodom, because of what Ezekiel said in 16:49: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy..." (NIV).

However, the wording of Genesis 19:4-5 combined with Ezekiel 16:50 makes it clear (emphasis supplied): "Before they had gone to bed, ALL THE MEN FROM EVERY PART OF THE CITY OF SODOM—both young and old—surrounded the house. THEY called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SEX WITH THEM” (NIV). These were not just isolated individuals, but "all the men from every part of the city."

I suspect the affluent conditions of being "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned," conditions we have in America, led to the unspeakable indulgences of the flesh, because Ezekiel 16:50 goes on to say, "They were haughty and DID DETESTABLE THINGS before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." Their affluence apparently resulted in them doing "detestable" (KJV: "abominations") things (sexual perversions) before God, as in America. Also, the word "sisters" and "daughters" in Hebrew are definitely feminine, so I am not sure this applied to the men.

Jim