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I. THE REASONS WHICH JUSTIFIED THIS SUPREME ACT OF DESTRUCTING.

1. It was a merciful warning to the rest of mankind.

2. Moreover, in this terrible act, the Almighty simply hastened the result of their own actions.

3. Besides, this overthrow only happened after careful investigation.

4. There is this consideration also — that, during the delay, many a warning was sent.

5. It is worthy of notice that God saved all whom He could.

II. THE MOTIVES OF THE ANGELS' VISIT.

1. The proximate or nearest cause was their own love to man.

2. The efficient cause was Abraham's prayer.

3. The ultimate cause was God's mercy.

III. THE ANGELS WENT TO WHERE LOT WAS — to Sodom. As a ray of light may pass through the foetid atmosphere of some squalid court, and emerge without a stain on its pure texture, so may angels spend a night in Sodom, surrounded by crowds of sinners, and yet be untainted angels still. If you go to Sodom for your gains, as Lot did, you will soon show signs of moral pollution. But if you go to save men, as these angels did, you may go into a very hell of evil, where the air is laden with impurity and blasphemy, but you will not be befouled. No grain of mud shall stick.

IV. THEY WERE CONTENT TO WORK FOR VERY FEW. It has been said that the true method of soul-winning is to set the heart on some one soul; and to pursue it, until it has either definitely accepted, or finally rejected, the Gospel of the grace of God. We should not hear so many cries for larger spheres, if Christians only realized the possibilities of the humblest life. Christ found work enough in a village to keep Him there for thirty years. Philip was torn from the great revival in Samaria to go into the desert to win one seeker after God.

V. THEY HASTENED HIM. Let us hasten sinners. Let us say to each one: "Escape for thy life; better lose all than lose your soul. Look not behind to past attainments or failures. Linger nowhere outside the City of Refuge, which is Jesus Christ Himself. Haste ye; habits of indecision strengthen; opportunities are closing in; the arrow of destruction has already left the bow of justice; now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."

(F. B. Meyer, B. A.)

I. THE WARNING.

1. How given. The messenger an angel! The deliverance of one man from a temporary calamity worthy of an angel's powers. The great privilege of those who are permitted to save souls from eternal death. We have had many warnings. Prophets, apostles, &c., &c. "If the word spoken by angels was steadfast," &c.

2. To whom given. Lot. Even he, an imperfect man, shall be saved. "Not one of these little ones shall perish." "None shall by any means pluck you out of My Father's hand."

3. Its nature. Unprecedented. Startling. Life and death. Several cities to be destroyed.

4. When given. On the eve of the event predicted. No time for saving property. Life the only thing to be carried away. Presently the time will come when we can carry nothing away with us. Are we now prepared? We may have but a short warning, or none at all.

II. THE ESCAPE.

1. Lot receives the warning. Informs his sons-in-law. They ridiculed it. Scoffers. Many make a mock at sin. Still worse to make a mock of religion. Many do even this. Their "day is coming." Was there any cause in Lot for their scoffs? Had they not sufficient reason, in his known character, to believe him? Imperfect piety has little influence. Probably his influence in Sodom was not very great.

2. He lingered.

(1)  The time. Not a moment to be lost.

(2)  The place. Sodom. Sinful and doomed.

(3)  The reason. Did not doubt the warning. Not doubt, but sinful attachments. Had friends and property in this wicked place.

3. Compulsion was needful. The angels had to lead him forth. Strange that men need to be coerced into accepting a great deliverance. Yet this brand was plucked from the burning. Men have to be compelled to come in, &c.

4. Even then Lot did not wish to go as far as he could from destruction, but to remain as near as possible.

III. THE JUDGMENT.

1. The people were employed, as usual, in their pleasures, labours, or sins. Did not think their end was so near. So will it be at the judgment of the world. Death may overtake us unawares.

2. Lot being at a safe distance, the fearful tempest commenced. Fire destroyed the city, and water soon flowed over and submerged the smoking ruins.

3. Lot's wife, looking back, was changed into a pillar of salt. None who are on the way to heaven can look back longing on the world they leave without injury. Old attachments are thereby strengthened, and new occupations, &c., are made distasteful. Such declension displeasing to God.

1. The wonderful mercy of God for even imperfect Christians.

2. The duty of thankfully receiving the warning He sends.

3. The duty that lays upon us of warning men "to flee from the wrath to come."

4. God's great love in providing a deliverer for us.

(J. C. Gray.)

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KJV: 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;

WEB: The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth,