God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was grievous — specifically the pervasive homosexual lifestyle — and He made them a warning example to all who would live ungodly.
In Genesis 18:20 God called their sin "very grievous." II Peter 2:6 says He "turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." Les Feldick states plainly that the reason for the destruction was the homosexual lifestyle, and he applies the example to the world today.
II Peter 2:6 — This is the New Testament's direct statement of why God destroyed the two cities: He condemned them as an example to the ungodly.
Genesis 18:20 — This is God's own declaration before the judgment that the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great and their sin grievous.
In Genesis 18:20 the LORD said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous." When the two angels arrived, Genesis 19:4 records, "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," demanding to know the visitors. Romans 1:27 describes the same kind of sin: "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." God's own commentary on the destruction is given in II Peter 2:6: "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." Jesus Himself said in Matthew 11:24, "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee," because Sodom and Gomorrah would have repented if they had witnessed the miracles that Capernaum saw.
Les Feldick teaches plainly that the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was the homosexual lifestyle. He points to the men of Sodom surrounding Lot's house and demanding sexual relations with the two visitors — the very account from which the term "sodomy" comes. He also reads II Peter 2:6-8 and stresses that the destruction was not just punishment; it was made "an example unto those that should hereafter live ungodly." He adds that God is telling the world tonight, "Look what I've done to Sodom and Gomorrah. Look what I've done to those kind of people. Wake up!" Les also shows that Lot, though delivered, was a righteous man who was constantly in turmoil over the filthy manner of living of the wicked. Using Romans 1, Les describes the downward spiral of a society that not only practices unrighteousness but applauds and promotes those who do it.
Scripture uses the phrase "their sin is very grievous" (Genesis 18:20). The immediate account in Genesis 19 shows the men of the city demanding sexual contact with Lot's two guests. Les Feldick says plainly, "the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was because it was homosexual lifestyle," and notes that this is where the term "sodomy" comes from.
II Peter 2:6 says God condemned them "with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." Les comments that an example is an example, and God is telling the world tonight to wake up and look at what He did to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Peter calls him "just Lot" and says he was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (II Peter 2:7-8). Les says Lot was delivered and called righteous, and he applies the grace of God: "But for the grace of God, I could be where you are. But by the grace of God, you can be out of that."
Les applies the example directly to our day: "Oh, God is telling the world tonight, Look what I've done to Sodom and Gomorrah. Look what I've done to those kind of people. Wake up!" He also quotes Romans 1:32, where those who know God's judgment not only do these things but have pleasure in those who do them.
Applauding Unrighteousness
Les describes the Sodom-like environment where people not only practice unrighteousness but take pleasure in, promote, and applaud those who do it, using Romans 1:32.
Reason for Destruction
Les states directly that the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was the homosexual lifestyle, and the world is never to forget that example.
Example to the Ungodly
Les reads II Peter 2:6-7 to show that the destruction was made an example to those who would live ungodly, and that God is calling the world to wake up.
The Men of Sodom
Les points to the account of the men of Sodom demanding sexual relations with the two visitors as the evident origin of the term 'sodomy,' and connects it to Romans 1:27.
God's Declaration
Les reads Genesis 18:20-21, where God declares the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is grievous before going down to see.
Jesus' Comparison
Les explains Jesus' words that Sodom and Gomorrah would have repented in sackcloth and ashes if they had seen His miracles, making their judgment more tolerable than Capernaum's.
Why God Established Capital Punishment | Genesis 9 Explained
Now, I think most people realize I don't like that word, but sometimes we have to use it for lack of a better one. But as a result, then, of no civil law per se, no government to maintain law and order, and no system of worship to really maintain a relationship with God, we find that by the time you get to Genesis chapter 6, the earth is filled with violence. It's corrupt. It's rotten to the core.
Sodom Turned to Ashes
Les reads II Peter 2:6, showing God condemned Sodom and Gomorrah with an overthrow and turned them into ashes.
Genesis 18:20: And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
God Himself declares that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and grievous before He goes down to see.
Genesis 19:4: 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:
This records the specific action of the men of Sodom that shows the nature of their sin.
Romans 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.
This describes the homosexual lifestyle that Les Feldick identifies as the reason for Sodom's destruction.
Romans 1:32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
This shows the added wickedness of applauding and promoting sin, which Les points to in a Sodom-like culture.
II Peter 2:6: And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
This directly states that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah made them an example to all who would live ungodly.
II Peter 2:7: And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
This shows that Lot was delivered, yet he was distressed by the wicked behavior around him.
Matthew 11:24: But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Jesus uses Sodom as a standard of judgment, saying even Sodom would have repented if it had seen the miracles Capernaum saw.
Yes. God Himself says their sin was "very grievous" (Genesis 18:20), and the men of the city came to Lot's house demanding sexual relations with the two visitors (Genesis 19:4-5). Les Feldick says plainly, "the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was because it was homosexual lifestyle."
II Peter 2:7-8 calls him "just Lot" and says he was vexed in his righteous soul day to day with their unlawful deeds. Les Feldick explains that Lot was delivered and called righteous, and he applies the grace of God: "But for the grace of God, I could be where you are."
Les Feldick sees it as exactly that. He says II Peter 2:6 makes it "an example unto those that should hereafter live ungodly," and he reads God as telling the world tonight, "Look what I've done to Sodom and Gomorrah. Wake up!"
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Says About Sodom, Lot, and Judgment (Romans 1)