Why will it be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for that city that rejected the Word of God? By: Chris McCann Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Why will it be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for that city that rejected the Word of God? This passage is very difficult for us to understand-----until we read it with an eye to the spiritual meaning of what the Lord is saying. Matthew 10:12 tells us that when we come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it. Ive always pictured the disciples entering into a house of old, sitting down to meat at some strangers table. Yet, although that undoubtedly happened from time to time, that nonetheless would only be an historical understanding of what Christ is saying; we need to consider the spiritual possibilities of the word house. And once we do the passage quickly opens up to our understanding. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: When the Lord began the church age, it was as though He sent His people forth with the gospel into the N.T. house of God. As long as it be worthy (that is while the Spirit of Christ was in its midst) then peace (Jesus Himself) was to come upon it. However, if it be not worthy------language pointing to the future expectation of the churchs unfaithfulness----then let your peace (Christ) return to you (see Matthew 10:13). This is foretelling us of Gods plan to end the church age due to the rebellious nature of the house of God. Matthew 10:14 also gives us instruction concerning the time when we depart out: 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Then God makes the statement that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city. Once we understand that the house or city (used interchangeably) represents the N.T. churches and congregations than we also understand why God says it will be more tolerable for Sodom & Gomorrha than for that city (the churches). We find a very helpful verse in Lamentations, chapter 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. In this verse in Lamentations there is greater punishment meted out to the people of Judah (spiritually representing the NT corporate church) than was given to Sodom. Sodom therefore, would have to be a picture of the world. The Bible declares that those that knew their Lords will, will be beaten with many stripes; and those that knew not the Lords will, will be beaten with fewer (Luke 13:47,48). This is the reason that it is more tolerable for the land of Sodom (the unsaved in the world) in the Day of Judgment than for that city (the unsaved within the churches).
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:08:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015