FROM ABRAM TO ABRAHAM: “THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”

     In the story of Abraham is bound every man who has ever lived, from Adam to the last. For he is called the father of the faithful: “and he was called the Friend of God.” Ja.2:23. From Genesis 12 to the Epistle of Peter, the name of Abraham has blessed every generation, even unto our day.

     For those of us who were adopted, or whose earthly fathers were indifferent to their spiritual responsibility as a parent, or cruel in their treatment of their own sons; or even those fathers who loved their sons and daughters but renounced GOD’S call to salvation, there is one-earthly-father that all may claim their inheritance: “if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal.3:29. My father, sadly, was of the last class of men.

     From GOD’S call for Abram to leave the ways of the heathen to the day when GOD gave him a vision beholding the distant future when a son from his loins named Jesus would fulfill the plan of salvation for every man. GOD personally showed him that through his family the Son of God would come. There is no name among men that is more blessed than the name of Abraham. Said Jesus to the Jewish leaders, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Jn.8:56.

     The lessons one can learn from the life of Abraham are timeless in their value. GOD first called Abram to leave his home in Haran and led him and his wife Sarai, and Lot, his brother’s son to the land of Canaan.

     Sarai was beautiful, so much so that Abraham feared for his life because of the lusts of men. Many stories were told of wicked men who murdered the husband to gain their wife in marriage. He had to hide his identity as her husband to preserve his life. But the LORD always stepped in for Abraham when he got backed into these corners—to preserve the integrity of the marriage bond. But this was the culture of the day. No Christian should ever joke over any of the perceived ill decisions of any of the patriarchs or prophets. Although equally weak and erring as all men, GOD always chose wisely in whom He could entrust with His blessings.

     Over time a dispute arose between the servants of Abram and those of Lot. The always-gracious Abram told his nephew that Lot and his family had the first choice in where to lead his flocks. Lot chose the best pastures for himself, while leaving Abram with the inferior pasture land. But no hard feelings from Abram. As time moved on, Lot wound up living in “the cities of the plain:” Sodom and Gomorrah. He was immediately recognized for his astute manner and became one who stood at the gate of Sodom to judge the dealings of the people. Some time later three kings came against Sodom and Gomorrah, carrying away the spoils and many captives, including Lot.

     When Abram learned of his nephew’s captivity “he armed his trained servants” and rescued Lot and all the captives with all the spoils from these three kings. Abram’s small band of men took on three armies and defeated them all. After the victory Melchizedek, the king of Salem came to Abram bringing “bread and wine” to celebrate the virtue of GOD in giving Abram such a decisive victory. And being also “the priest of the most high God” Melchizedek blessed Abram.

     A very important lesson of GOD’S judgment in His forbearance of sin is found in the presence of Melchizedek in the region. As Sodom and Gomorrah were reaching the limits of GOD’S forbearance, the leaders well knew of the religion Melchizedek lived by, and evangelized the surrounding regions of the salvation of GOD and the virtuous living that gives honor to the GOD of heaven. They well knew what virtue was and the danger of sin’s allowance. They had the evidence of unending crime and the warnings against continuing in sin. And yet the greedy weak-minded leaders proceeded in their cruel unrepentant lifestyle, leading the entire population to stand condemned with them in their sin—until GOD brought judgment to “the cities of the plain,” bringing the crimes and continued abuse to an end. To do otherwise would make GOD complicit their sin. They all had reached the point of no return, where a million years of additional life would have never changed their minds.

     The spare Lot and his family from the impending destruction GOD sent two ambassadors from heaven: “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” Gen.19:1-5.

     To “know them” was the Sodomites demand to gang rape the angels through the violence of sodomy. Lot well knew the dangers facing these dignified men who, unknown to Lot were angels sent of GOD to lead Lot and his family to safety. This is the true spirit behind the gay lifestyle. Make no mistake: when hard pressed to reform from this sin, the controlling evil spirit will always come to the forefront, and violence will follow. America’s prison system is famous for this violence. And it is this high degree of ungodliness that society in America is allowing and soon to reach unless it repents of its allowance of the many sins of lying, adultery, theft and murder: from business and politics to gangs, who together have brought every judgment from disease and disaster to famine and economic ruin. One simply has to read Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 to learn what gives GOD the right to limit Satan’s authority within a nation. "God is no respecter of persons." Acts 10:34.

     Another grand lesson from this time of ancient history is found in the previous chapter leading up to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. “And the LORD appeared unto him [Abram] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said... [v.20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. Gen.18:1-5,20-26.

     There is a lesson to be drawn from this chapter that all who do not believe in Jesus Christ should give great care to consider. I had to learn this lesson of humility myself when I determined to follow Jesus through the many lessons of Holy Writ. And we’re not talking about the fire that consumed Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, nor how the whole city gathered together to join in the public raping of men. No, the lesson is about what preserves this world today on a day-to-day basis. The lesson of Genesis 18 is perfect in its clarity: it calls for humility on the part of every man regardless of their profession of faith. And it calls for everyone who has never known GOD nor put Him to the genuine test. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Ps.34:8.

     The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a microcosm of what is to be carried out today on a global scale. And it is this principle that will be the reason for the fulfillment of the final prophecies assigned to this sinful world’s destruction ushering the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ to save those faithful to the Holy Law He died to uphold its honor: as was prophesied of Jesus: “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” Isa.42:21.

     The Bible teaches that the world owes it continued existence to the presence of those who stand faithful to GOD the Father and "his is only begotten Son." And the Bible defines every boundary on loyalty to GOD vs. loyalty to sin. This is the legal boundary GOD established for man’s survival and through this legally overrules Satan’s jurisdiction as “the prince of this world.” This is why prayer is so needed. For without our intercession, GOD has no legal right to intervene in the affairs of men. But there are wicked men and women throughout the world, and in the church who intend on perpetuating sin forever. And they are working to force all into conformity to their sinful version of religious law. As a result of the rising evils we see every day prophecy says in Revelation 13 & 17 that corrupt Christians will unite with secular civil authorities and decree sanctions forbidding food and life-support, and then, eventually a death decree against those who obey GOD and Jesus Christ. this same union of church and state existed in the crucifixion of Christ and the apostolic church throughout the centuries.

     This sounds very unlikely given today’s common lifestyle. But as it was in the days of Job, so shall it be when this last desperate measure of Satan is sprung upon the people our generation: “The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them.” Job 1:16. GOD’S judgment in allowing Satan to carry out his agenda through the arsenal of nature and his pawns among men (as he did in the life of faithful Job) will cause such fear so as to lead men to scramble for ‘the quick fix’ in which their spirit of desperation will lead to the apostates ruling the churches to ascend the throne of government. Satan understands this very well: “And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.” Job 2:4.

     Said Jesus of these coming days, “these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matt.24:8. This is why it is imperative for us all to fortify our understanding, our faith, and our steadfast resistance to temptation that we may stand through the coming trial. As the early church suffered great persecution and martyrdom, so the close of the gospel commission will see a similar display. But in the midst of this final threat a promise is given: “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Jer.12:5; Matt.24:22; Lu.18:7,8.

“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev.13:10; 14:12. The call of GOD to His wayward children has always been simple: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deut.30:19.