Why is it important to understand the education of Sodom?
Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Luk 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Luk 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.
Note: Jesus revealed how the condition of Sodom would be repeated in the days when Christ comes back a second time. Likewise whatever schools Sodom had would show striking similarities to the education given in the schools of today. We are living in the last days of human history just before the second coming of Christ’s soon return. Therefore, it would behoove us to study the education of Sodom so we may know how to avoid the destructive example illustrated in this history. We are counseled by our loving Savior to ‘Remember Lot’s wife’.
Remember Lot’s wife
“The marriage of Lot, and his choice of Sodom for a home, were the first links in a chain of events fraught with evil to the world for many generations.” We are told to “remember Lot’s wife.” {PH140 42.2}
“Cities and even country towns are becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah, and like the world in the days of Noah. The training of the youth in those days was after the same order as the children are being educated and trained in this age.”–Sp. T. on Ed., p. 93. {PH140 42.3}
What caused the separation of Lot and Abram?
Gen 13:5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
Gen 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
Gen 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
Note: It was strife that led to the division of this family. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines this word as “Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. Strife may be carried on between students or between mechanics.” Strife is competition, the very foundation of false education.
Gen 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Note: The reason given by Abram for his request that there would be no strife among them was because “we be brethren”. Christ revealed the true motive of strife and competition in (Mattthew 23:8) “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” The desire to master or dominate another is the underlying motivation for strife. If we ever keep in mind (Galatians 3:28) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” and “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) Then we should not have desire of “being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3)
Gen 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Gen 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Note: Abram and Lot had just came out of Egypt. What attracted lot to the land of Sodom was that is was “well watered every where…. like the land of Egypt”. It was a familiarity with Egypt that cast the enticing snare upon Lot. His unwillingness to fully “come out of her my people” inclined lot to Sodom.
Gen 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Gen 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Note: Lot didn’t at first dwell in the city of Sodom. The first step in this life altering mistake was that he “pitched his tent toward Sodom”. Remember, there were more cities than just Sodom which were destroyed by fire. We may not live in the heart of Sodom or in the largest city near us, but even if we are in the neighboring cities around Sodom, this history has special application to us today.
Gen 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
The fall of what other nation is symbolized by the overthrowing of Sodom?
Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Note: Sodom is used in scripture to symbolize Babylon. The two angels sent to call Lot and his family out of Sodom represent the 2nd angel’s message of the everlasting gospel that calls the people of God out of Babylon.
The 2nd angel’s message calls Babylon that great what?
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Note: An foundational characteristic of the Education of both Sodom and Babylon is the location of their schools being located in the cities. Our schools should be in the country. Not in the city.
Public schools are compared to as Sodom where Sabbath–keeping children are taught a ‘street education’ by association with others more neglected than they.
The church has a special work to do in educating and training its children that they may not, in attending school, or in any other association, be influenced by those of corrupt habits. The world is full of iniquity and disregard of the requirements of God. The cities have become as Sodom, and our children are daily being exposed to many evils. Those who attend the public schools often associate with others more neglected than they, those who, aside from the time spent in the schoolroom, are left to obtain a street education. The hearts of the young are easily impressed; and unless their surroundings are of the right character, Satan will use these neglected children to influence those who are more carefully trained. Thus before Sabbathkeeping parents know what evil is being done, the lessons of depravity are learned, and the souls of their little ones are corrupted. {6T 193.1}
When Lot entered Sodom, he fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity and to command his household after him. But he signally failed. The corrupting influences about him had an effect upon his own faith, and his children’s connection with the inhabitants of Sodom bound up his interest in a measure with theirs. The result is before us. Many are still making a similar mistake. {AH 138.4}
Note: If your children are attending public schools, universities, or schools located in the cities, you “are still making a similar mistake” as Lot who “fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity and to command his household after him.”
Often the examples of Moses and Daniel are repeated to justify the course of sending our children to an Egyptian or Babylonian school. But the difference is, Moses and Daniel were not enrolled in these schools by choice. Daniel was a slave brought to the courts of Babylon. Lot had made his decision by choice. When we send our children to the popular schools of today we are following more in the footsteps of Lot and Sodom than Moses or Daniel.
Lot is representing a class of people who have received a true education from childhood, but had with good intentions, departed from this training into a false system of education.
Are parents able to counteract the influence upon their children from the teachings of public school?
One reason why it was necessary to establish institutions of our own was the fact that parents were not able to counteract the influence of the teaching their children were receiving in the public schools, and the error there taught was leading the youth into false paths. No stronger influence could be brought to bear upon the minds of the youth and children than that of those who were educating them in principles of science. For this reason it was evident that schools must be established in which our children should be instructed in the way of truth. In our schools it was specified that the youth were to be taught in the principles of Bible temperance, and every influence was to be brought to bear upon them that would tend to help them to shun the follies of this degenerate age, which were fast making the world as a second Sodom. {FE 285.2}
The pursuit of pleasure and amusement centers in the cities. Many parents who choose a city home for their children, thinking to give them greater advantages, meet with disappointment, and too late repent their terrible mistake. The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. The many holidays encourage idleness. The exciting sports—theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor-drinking, and reveling—stimulate every passion to intense activity. The youth are swept away by the popular current. {COL 54.3}
What was the sin of Sodom?
Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
What is pure religion?
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Their [Daniel and friends] education was not after that of Sodom and Gomorrah, to the exclusion of all true religion. {RH, January 10, 1899 par. 11}
Note: The students who received the education of Sodom were not taught to “strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” or to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” which is the definition of pure and true religion. It was because of this sin identified in Ezekiel 16, that the Lord destroyed the city of Sodom.
When the mind is engrossed with the conceptions and theories of men to the exclusion of the wisdom of God, it is stamped with idolatry. Science, falsely so-called, has been exalted above God, nature above its Maker, and how can God look upon such wisdom? {CE 83.3}
What led Sodom to begin practicing sodomy?
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise [educated], they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Note: Pride had led Sodom to begin worshiping themselves, their own finite minds which became “engrossed with the conceptions and theories of men to the exclusion of the wisdom of God”. By doing this Sodom “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator”. The only worship they rendered obedience to was their own lustful passions. The next verse explains the sure result of the self-worship of Sodom.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Note: It is because of the false education taught in the schools of Sodom that the students began practicing sodomy. Is it not true of the schools of today that youth are encouraged to ‘experiment’ and ‘explore’ during their years of study in the universities? Where do many learn the ways of the Sodomites? From university, from college, and from high school. Have you ever noticed when the men of Sodom compassed the house of Lot looking for the two angels? The scriptures declare, there came “both old and young, all the people from every quarter” (Genesis 19:4-5). The practice of Sodom had influenced and educated even the young children in the city to join with the pleasure seeking adults as well. What better way to teach the youth than to introduce it into the schools?
True education teaches that while in school courtship should not even be on the minds of the youth. “The marriages formed by students at school are not right nor proper.” {YI, August 10, 1899 par. 7} “The good of society, as well as the highest interest of the students, demands that they shall not attempt to select a life partner while their own character is yet undeveloped.” {FE 62.2} “The school is not to be regarded as a place for courtship or marriage.” {13MR 145.2} “While at school, students should not allow their minds to become confused by thoughts of courtship.” {CT 100.2} As far as the east is from the west, so is the difference between courtship and dating. (For more info, see ‘Courting in School’ chapter of this publication.)
Yet the schools of Sodom and the false education of today encourages the youth to use this very time devoting it to gaining as much experience with as many different partners as they can. The practice of dating is not only encouraged but a student would be looked upon as defective if they didn’t engage in dating while attending school. Many men go to school for the purpose of finding a wife. Many women go to school seeking after a husband. While the counsel of the Lord is to seek not a wife while attending school.
“No one can so effectually ruin a woman’s happiness and usefulness, and make life a heartsickening burden, as her own husband; and no one can do one hundredth part as much to chill the hopes and aspirations of a man, to paralyze his energies and ruin his influence and prospects, as his own wife. It is from the marriage hour that many men and women date their success or failure in this life, and their hopes of the future life.” {AH 43.1}
A study was done called “From Classmates to Soulmates.” in October 7, 2013, using Facebook accounts who had their martial status and school attendance history posted on their profiles. How revealing is this study regarding American marriages. “About 28% of married college-graduates attended the same college.” “15% of individuals attended the same high school as their spouse.” This study suggests that 43% of American marriages were found while attending school.
Marriages in America are now at the record lowest it has been for the last 100 years. This generation is showing less and less interest in staying faithful to one partner for the rest of their life. I believe one contributing factor of this decline of marriage is the education of Sodom that is being taught in our schools today. It has been a well known fact, the LGBT agenda is not to have equal rights to marry one another. But they desire to see the marriage institution done away with entirely to support their lifestyle of having often 100s of different partners.
In June of 2012, gay activist Masha Gessen states: “It’s a no-brainer that (homosexual activists) should have the right to marry, but I also think equally that it’s a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist. …Fighting for gay marriage generally involves lying about what we are going to do with marriage when we get there — because we lie that the institution of marriage is not going to change, and that is a lie.”
A further revelation of their ultimate agenda can be seen by the fact that even after being granted the legal ‘right’ to marry, only a sliver of the same-sex couples already living together actually continued to get married afterwards. “In the United States of America, same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since June 26, 2015, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional.” – Sources: “Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide“. CNN. June 26, 2015. – “Obergefell et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio, Department of Health, et al.” (PDF). supremecourt.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
In fulfillment of Revelation 16:13-14, what will the USA do to every principle of it’s constitution?
When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.–5T 451 (1885). {LDE 131.4}
Note: Spiritualism in its many forms will play a major role in the passing of the mark of the beast.
What teachings of Spiritualism are being taught to our youth in the popular schools of our day?
Spiritualism asserts that men are unfallen demigods; that “each mind will judge itself;” that “true knowledge places men above all law;” that “all sins committed are innocent;” for “whatever is, is right,” and “God doth not condemn.” The basest of human beings it represents as in heaven, and highly exalted there. Thus it declares to all men, “It matters not what you do; live as you please, heaven is your home.” Multitudes are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself. {Ed 227.6}
With such teaching given at the very outset of life, when impulse is strongest, and the demand for self-restraint and purity is most urgent, where are the safeguards of virtue? what is to prevent the world from becoming a second Sodom? {Ed 228.1}
At the same time anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human… the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution–all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France. {Ed 228.2}
France presented also the characteristics which especially distinguished Sodom. During the Revolution there was manifest a state of moral debasement and corruption similar to that which brought destruction upon the cities of the plain. And the historian presents together the atheism and the licentiousness of France, as given in the prophecy: “Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion, was that which reduced the union of marriage–the most sacred engagement which human beings can form, and the permanence of which leads most strongly to the consolidation of society–to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure. . . . Sophie Arnoult, an actress famous for the witty things she said, described the republican marriage as ‘the sacrament of adultery.’“–Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17. {GC 270.1}
Do the people of God in this generation have the same level guilt as ancient Sodom?
Lam 4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Note: The sad answer is no. God’s people are even more guilty than was the city of Sodom. Jesus gave a principle in (Luke 12:47-48) “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” This is why Christ had said of His people in (Matthew 11:23) “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” The education of Sodom is a warning and an example for us “upon whom the ends of the word are come.” (1 Corinthian 10:11)
Why has the Bible included so much detail regarding the education and history of Sodom for all these years?
Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Note: The judgments that fell upon this city for the licentious education being promoted in the schools of Sodom “are set forth for an example” for all of us living in the last days. (2 Peter 2:6) Goes on to say, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” May we not after reading this account lust after the education of Sodom but instead plant our feet on the firm, eternal, and true education of Abraham.
Satan wants to destroy the marriage union because it perfectly reflects the image of God. Everything he can do to mar that image in man. Thus the marriages engaged in at the schools are an effectual way to distract from the purpose of True education which is to restore the image of God in man.
Why is it important to understand the education of Sodom?
Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Luk 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Luk 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.
Note: Jesus revealed how the condition of Sodom would be repeated in the days when Christ comes back a second time. Likewise whatever schools Sodom had would show striking similarities to the education given in the schools of today. We are living in the last days of human history just before the second coming of Christ’s soon return. Therefore, it would behoove us to study the education of Sodom so we may know how to avoid the destructive example illustrated in this history. We are counseled by our loving Savior to ‘Remember Lot’s wife’.
Remember Lot’s wife
“The marriage of Lot, and his choice of Sodom for a home, were the first links in a chain of events fraught with evil to the world for many generations.” We are told to “remember Lot’s wife.” {PH140 42.2}
“Cities and even country towns are becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah, and like the world in the days of Noah. The training of the youth in those days was after the same order as the children are being educated and trained in this age.”–Sp. T. on Ed., p. 93. {PH140 42.3}
What caused the separation of Lot and Abram?
Gen 13:5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
Gen 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
Gen 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
Note: It was strife that led to the division of this family. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines this word as “Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. Strife may be carried on between students or between mechanics.” Strife is competition, the very foundation of false education.
Gen 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Note: The reason given by Abram for his request that there would be no strife among them was because “we be brethren”. Christ revealed the true motive of strife and competition in (Mattthew 23:8) “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” The desire to master or dominate another is the underlying motivation for strife. If we ever keep in mind (Galatians 3:28) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” and “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) Then we should not have desire of “being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3)
Gen 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Gen 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Note: Abram and Lot had just came out of Egypt. What attracted lot to the land of Sodom was that is was “well watered every where…. like the land of Egypt”. It was a familiarity with Egypt that cast the enticing snare upon Lot. His unwillingness to fully “come out of her my people” inclined lot to Sodom.
Gen 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Gen 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Note: Lot didn’t at first dwell in the city of Sodom. The first step in this life altering mistake was that he “pitched his tent toward Sodom”. Remember, there were more cities than just Sodom which were destroyed by fire. We may not live in the heart of Sodom or in the largest city near us, but even if we are in the neighboring cities around Sodom, this history has special application to us today.
Gen 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
The fall of what other nation is symbolized by the overthrowing of Sodom?
Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Note: Sodom is used in scripture to symbolize Babylon. The two angels sent to call Lot and his family out of Sodom represent the 2nd angel’s message of the everlasting gospel that calls the people of God out of Babylon.
The 2nd angel’s message calls Babylon that great what?
Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Note: An foundational characteristic of the Education of both Sodom and Babylon is the location of their schools being located in the cities. Our schools should be in the country. Not in the city.
Public schools are compared to as Sodom where Sabbath–keeping children are taught a ‘street education’ by association with others more neglected than they.
The church has a special work to do in educating and training its children that they may not, in attending school, or in any other association, be influenced by those of corrupt habits. The world is full of iniquity and disregard of the requirements of God. The cities have become as Sodom, and our children are daily being exposed to many evils. Those who attend the public schools often associate with others more neglected than they, those who, aside from the time spent in the schoolroom, are left to obtain a street education. The hearts of the young are easily impressed; and unless their surroundings are of the right character, Satan will use these neglected children to influence those who are more carefully trained. Thus before Sabbathkeeping parents know what evil is being done, the lessons of depravity are learned, and the souls of their little ones are corrupted. {6T 193.1}
When Lot entered Sodom, he fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity and to command his household after him. But he signally failed. The corrupting influences about him had an effect upon his own faith, and his children’s connection with the inhabitants of Sodom bound up his interest in a measure with theirs. The result is before us. Many are still making a similar mistake. {AH 138.4}
Note: If your children are attending public schools, universities, or schools located in the cities, you “are still making a similar mistake” as Lot who “fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity and to command his household after him.”
Often the examples of Moses and Daniel are repeated to justify the course of sending our children to an Egyptian or Babylonian school. But the difference is, Moses and Daniel were not enrolled in these schools by choice. Daniel was a slave brought to the courts of Babylon. Lot had made his decision by choice. When we send our children to the popular schools of today we are following more in the footsteps of Lot and Sodom than Moses or Daniel.
Lot is representing a class of people who have received a true education from childhood, but had with good intentions, departed from this training into a false system of education.
Are parents able to counteract the influence upon their children from the teachings of public school?
One reason why it was necessary to establish institutions of our own was the fact that parents were not able to counteract the influence of the teaching their children were receiving in the public schools, and the error there taught was leading the youth into false paths. No stronger influence could be brought to bear upon the minds of the youth and children than that of those who were educating them in principles of science. For this reason it was evident that schools must be established in which our children should be instructed in the way of truth. In our schools it was specified that the youth were to be taught in the principles of Bible temperance, and every influence was to be brought to bear upon them that would tend to help them to shun the follies of this degenerate age, which were fast making the world as a second Sodom. {FE 285.2}
The pursuit of pleasure and amusement centers in the cities. Many parents who choose a city home for their children, thinking to give them greater advantages, meet with disappointment, and too late repent their terrible mistake. The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. The many holidays encourage idleness. The exciting sports—theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor-drinking, and reveling—stimulate every passion to intense activity. The youth are swept away by the popular current. {COL 54.3}
What was the sin of Sodom?
Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
What is pure religion?
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Their [Daniel and friends] education was not after that of Sodom and Gomorrah, to the exclusion of all true religion. {RH, January 10, 1899 par. 11}
Note: The students who received the education of Sodom were not taught to “strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” or to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” which is the definition of pure and true religion. It was because of this sin identified in Ezekiel 16, that the Lord destroyed the city of Sodom.
When the mind is engrossed with the conceptions and theories of men to the exclusion of the wisdom of God, it is stamped with idolatry. Science, falsely so-called, has been exalted above God, nature above its Maker, and how can God look upon such wisdom? {CE 83.3}
What led Sodom to begin practicing sodomy?
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise [educated], they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Note: Pride had led Sodom to begin worshiping themselves, their own finite minds which became “engrossed with the conceptions and theories of men to the exclusion of the wisdom of God”. By doing this Sodom “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator”. The only worship they rendered obedience to was their own lustful passions. The next verse explains the sure result of the self-worship of Sodom.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Note: It is because of the false education taught in the schools of Sodom that the students began practicing sodomy. Is it not true of the schools of today that youth are encouraged to ‘experiment’ and ‘explore’ during their years of study in the universities? Where do many learn the ways of the Sodomites? From university, from college, and from high school. Have you ever noticed when the men of Sodom compassed the house of Lot looking for the two angels? The scriptures declare, there came “both old and young, all the people from every quarter” (Genesis 19:4-5). The practice of Sodom had influenced and educated even the young children in the city to join with the pleasure seeking adults as well. What better way to teach the youth than to introduce it into the schools?
True education teaches that while in school courtship should not even be on the minds of the youth. “The marriages formed by students at school are not right nor proper.” {YI, August 10, 1899 par. 7} “The good of society, as well as the highest interest of the students, demands that they shall not attempt to select a life partner while their own character is yet undeveloped.” {FE 62.2} “The school is not to be regarded as a place for courtship or marriage.” {13MR 145.2} “While at school, students should not allow their minds to become confused by thoughts of courtship.” {CT 100.2} As far as the east is from the west, so is the difference between courtship and dating. (For more info, see ‘Courting in School’ chapter of this publication.)
Yet the schools of Sodom and the false education of today encourages the youth to use this very time devoting it to gaining as much experience with as many different partners as they can. The practice of dating is not only encouraged but a student would be looked upon as defective if they didn’t engage in dating while attending school. Many men go to school for the purpose of finding a wife. Many women go to school seeking after a husband. While the counsel of the Lord is to seek not a wife while attending school.
“No one can so effectually ruin a woman’s happiness and usefulness, and make life a heartsickening burden, as her own husband; and no one can do one hundredth part as much to chill the hopes and aspirations of a man, to paralyze his energies and ruin his influence and prospects, as his own wife. It is from the marriage hour that many men and women date their success or failure in this life, and their hopes of the future life.” {AH 43.1}
A study was done called “From Classmates to Soulmates.” in October 7, 2013, using Facebook accounts who had their martial status and school attendance history posted on their profiles. How revealing is this study regarding American marriages. “About 28% of married college-graduates attended the same college.” “15% of individuals attended the same high school as their spouse.” This study suggests that 43% of American marriages were found while attending school.
Marriages in America are now at the record lowest it has been for the last 100 years. This generation is showing less and less interest in staying faithful to one partner for the rest of their life. I believe one contributing factor of this decline of marriage is the education of Sodom that is being taught in our schools today. It has been a well known fact, the LGBT agenda is not to have equal rights to marry one another. But they desire to see the marriage institution done away with entirely to support their lifestyle of having often 100s of different partners.
In June of 2012, gay activist Masha Gessen states: “It’s a no-brainer that (homosexual activists) should have the right to marry, but I also think equally that it’s a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist. …Fighting for gay marriage generally involves lying about what we are going to do with marriage when we get there — because we lie that the institution of marriage is not going to change, and that is a lie.”
A further revelation of their ultimate agenda can be seen by the fact that even after being granted the legal ‘right’ to marry, only a sliver of the same-sex couples already living together actually continued to get married afterwards. “In the United States of America, same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since June 26, 2015, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional.” – Sources: “Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide“. CNN. June 26, 2015. – “Obergefell et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio, Department of Health, et al.” (PDF). supremecourt.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
In fulfillment of Revelation 16:13-14, what will the USA do to every principle of it’s constitution?
When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.–5T 451 (1885). {LDE 131.4}
Note: Spiritualism in its many forms will play a major role in the passing of the mark of the beast.
What teachings of Spiritualism are being taught to our youth in the popular schools of our day?
Spiritualism asserts that men are unfallen demigods; that “each mind will judge itself;” that “true knowledge places men above all law;” that “all sins committed are innocent;” for “whatever is, is right,” and “God doth not condemn.” The basest of human beings it represents as in heaven, and highly exalted there. Thus it declares to all men, “It matters not what you do; live as you please, heaven is your home.” Multitudes are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself. {Ed 227.6}
With such teaching given at the very outset of life, when impulse is strongest, and the demand for self-restraint and purity is most urgent, where are the safeguards of virtue? what is to prevent the world from becoming a second Sodom? {Ed 228.1}
At the same time anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human… the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution–all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France. {Ed 228.2}
France presented also the characteristics which especially distinguished Sodom. During the Revolution there was manifest a state of moral debasement and corruption similar to that which brought destruction upon the cities of the plain. And the historian presents together the atheism and the licentiousness of France, as given in the prophecy: “Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion, was that which reduced the union of marriage–the most sacred engagement which human beings can form, and the permanence of which leads most strongly to the consolidation of society–to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure. . . . Sophie Arnoult, an actress famous for the witty things she said, described the republican marriage as ‘the sacrament of adultery.’“–Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17. {GC 270.1}
Do the people of God in this generation have the same level guilt as ancient Sodom?
Lam 4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Note: The sad answer is no. God’s people are even more guilty than was the city of Sodom. Jesus gave a principle in (Luke 12:47-48) “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” This is why Christ had said of His people in (Matthew 11:23) “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” The education of Sodom is a warning and an example for us “upon whom the ends of the word are come.” (1 Corinthian 10:11)
Why has the Bible included so much detail regarding the education and history of Sodom for all these years?
Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Note: The judgments that fell upon this city for the licentious education being promoted in the schools of Sodom “are set forth for an example” for all of us living in the last days. (2 Peter 2:6) Goes on to say, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” May we not after reading this account lust after the education of Sodom but instead plant our feet on the firm, eternal, and true education of Abraham.
Satan wants to destroy the marriage union because it perfectly reflects the image of God. Everything he can do to mar that image in man. Thus the marriages engaged in at the schools are an effectual way to distract from the purpose of True education which is to restore the image of God in man.