Heaven, A Place of Surprises. Part [4] 03/14/2026 (Morning thought)

Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 161>162] If Lot himself had manifested no hesitancy to obey the angels’ warning but had earnestly fled toward the mountain without one word of pleading or remonstrance, his wife also would have made her escape. The influence of his example would have saved her from the sin that sealed her doom. But his hesitancy and delay caused her to lightly regard the divine warning.

We should beware of treating lightly God’s gracious provisions for our salvation. There are Christians who say, “I do not care to be saved unless my  companion and children are saved with me.” They feel that heaven would not be heaven to them without the presence of those who are so dear. The redemption of the soul is precious. Christ has paid an infinite price for our salvation, and no one who appreciates the value of this great sacrifice, or the worth of the soul will despise God’s offered mercy because others choose to do so.

It is a fearful thought, but it’s one of those very grim realities, the Christian would have to reckon with, at some point in time or another. And then, a decision will have to be made, of whether or not to correctly value the sacrifice made for your redemption, or tether your decisions to that of family members. In fact, Lot barely made it out, and in doing so, Lot had to make one of the most difficult, and heart-wrenching decisions of his life.

Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Heaven, A Place of Surprises. Part [3] 03/14/2026 (Evening thought)

Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

God respects the decisions and choices folks make, even if those decisions are bad ones and thus, when Lot preached his very last sermon to his family, they made an eternally fatal choice which forever sealed their doom. It’s worthy of note that the angels didn’t grab those who laughed at God’s final warning, they only took those folks who did not make fun of the two angels’ messages.

Persons who belittle, or despise the grace of God, will one day weep with gnashing of teeth, at the folly of such decisions. On resurrection morning, when the righteous would be called from their dusty beds, Lot’s wife, his sons in law, his daughters who remained, to be with their husbands, will all be missing and if they had any kids they too will be found on the outside of the pearly gates.

Later on, when the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God, radiant, and resplendent with eternal glory, Lot will stand upon the walls and as he looks out in the distance, he will see his wife, whom he spent most of his life with, who never cheated on him, but supported him in his endeavors. The immortal inheritance which they once despised will now seem so desirable, that persons will join in with satan to try and capture the city by force. If it was not desirable, as the devil tempts persons to believe, he wouldn’t try to capture it.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city….

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!