the plain, who were called “Sodomites.” These people were so wicked that it is
said that Lot’s rigllteous soul was vexed from day to day with their unlawful
deeds and filthy conversation (2 Pet. 2:6-8), until finally God delivered Lot
and entirely destroyed the city. What evidence have we that they were all de-
stroyed? May not one or two have escaped and become the founders of a new
city and people by that name? We have the Lord’s own statement on this point.
He says (Luke 17:29), “The same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire
and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them ALL.” There was not one
Sodomite left. And yet these Sodomites, wicked as they were, were not as
wicked as some who have lived since, and who have sinned against more light
; for our Lord, when pronouncing “woe” unto Capesnaum and Chorazin and
Bethsaida, said, “It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of
Judgment than for thee.” Why? The Lord continues, “For fthe mighty works
which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained.”Matt.11:23,24.
The Lord says it will be more tolerable for Sodom in the Day of Judgment (the
Millennium) than for Israel! That means that it will be toleruble for Ismel in
the Day of Judgment, but .sfill more tolerable for Sodom. If Sodom would have
repented under the light which (srael had, there is no doubt that many of its
people will repent under the light of the Judgment Day. Remember that the
Judgment Day is the Millennial Age, during which (we have seen) Christ will
reign, and “all the families of the earth shall be blessed”-not only Israel and
Sodom, but all the other nations. Do the Scriptures say anything more with
reference to the future of Sodom? Yes, the Lord says very positively that
Sodom is to be restored. We will read the statement of the Prophet, so these
will be no mistake. In the 16th chapter of Ezekiel, the Lord prophesied His
blessing
upon Israel, and says that lsrael was really worse than the surrounding
idolatrous nations. [Read verses 48,49, 50, in recital of the sins of Sodom. and
comment.]
[Read verses 53,54, and comment-the Lord says the Jews will be confounded
when they see Sodo~n and Samaria in the Day of Judgment. Point to Millennial
Age on Chart.] [Read verses 55, 56, and comment-the pride of Israel in say-
ing: “We have Abraham to our father,” and in considering the surrounding
nattons beneath their notice; the return of all “to their former estate “; etc.]
[Read verses 60-63, and comment-the special Covenant with Israel made in
the days of their youth, their breaking of i& and the blessing which is to come
to them under the “Everlasting Covenant” which He will establish with them
in the future; they with all the other nations will be blessed under the “New
Covenant”; then all will be ashamed and confounded, when all Sodom with its
captives, and all Israel with its captives, have been brought forth fiom the
prison house of death and God is “pacified toward them” for all that they have
done.]