月度归档： 2026 年 10 月

Jesus said, “If I tell you about earthly matters and you do not believe, how can you believe what is in heaven?” No one has ever gone to heaven except the Son of Man who came down from heaven. “[John 3:12-13]

Jacob ran wildly toward the northeast. The mountain path was as flat as if left behind by him. The heavy backpack pressed tightly against his back, making him sweat pour down his face, but he didn’t dare stop. He stared straight at the hill ahead, ran over, and then set his sights on the next target. It was a journey of over a thousand li, but he wished he could get there in just one day.

His heart felt like it was about to burst, but he preferred to burst rather than stop, anxious like hunted prey, as if an arrow were chasing him from behind. He is naturally quiet, but this time he has to leave his parents and travel thousands of miles alone. He knew his mother loved him the most, but he didn’t know that Lingchen’s sudden farewell to his mother was actually a farewell. He left in disarray, not even having time to comfort his mother with a few words of comfort.

He tricked his brother Esau twice—once for the status of the eldest son, once with God’s blessing—thinking he could finally rest easy, waiting for good fortune to come, but never expected disaster to come upon him like his brother’s bow and arrow.

The brother, furious, secretly conspired with his thugs to kill him to vent his rage. When Rebekah heard about this, she immediately called Jacob and told him to escape. Jacob was left speechless with horror upon hearing his mother’s secret report.

He knew his brother’s hunter temperament—he always said his word, married like that, met his prey, and gave him the status of the eldest son. The brother hunted year-round, possessed extraordinary stamina, was as fast as an antelope, and never missed his arrow. Could he possibly outrun the prey falling under his arrows? Jacob’s face turned pale, as if he could feel the tearing arrow in his back, seeing his brother’s furious eyes before he raised his knife to kill him.

But where do you run to? Looking around, there was no relatives; the only relatives were my mother’s brother’s house, but they were thousands of miles away in Harlan. He couldn’t just leave his father without saying goodbye, could he? With tears in her eyes, the mother pulled Jacob to his father’s bedside and pleaded, “When Esau was forty, he married two Hittite women from here without consulting us. So many years have passed, and they have left us in tears, heartbroken.”

As for the second son, Jacob, he still hasn’t married. He’s too quiet and doesn’t like local women, so he’s kept waiting until he’s so old. Is he going to stay unmarried for the rest of his life? For my sake, please allow him to go to my brother Laban to marry his own woman.

After a moment of silence, Isaac said to Jacob, “Go, my son. May God bless your uncle and grant him a daughter, and may you come to love her. But remember, you must return to this land, for God has given it to you and your descendants—just as He promised your grandfather Abraham and me.”

I am now old and about to die, but God’s promises will surely be fulfilled, and God will fulfill my blessings for you. “The moon sets in the west, the sky is filled with stars, the Milky Way flows like a ribbon. Jacob finally stops his legs, which have been running like clockwork all day, and sits on a flat rock. Looking back southwest, he was already more than two hundred li away from his parents.

Grandfather and father had only reached Mount Moria in three days back then, but he had already left them behind. He listened intently. Only the wind rustled over the wilderness, and the distant howls of wolves were barely visible. Hearing this, he calmed down, took off his waist knife, and placed it on a rock. His anxious heart finally settled—his brother definitely wouldn’t chase from so far away.

Besides, he might not know where I escaped. When his heart relaxed, fatigue and thirst surged like waves. He ate and drank his fill, no longer had the strength to sit, so he found a flat stone to rest his head on, lay down on the rock, and stared blankly at the star-filled sky.

Leaving the father’s tent, his mother immediately packed his belongings. After traveling a thousand miles, unfamiliar with the land and roaming wild animals, his mother said nothing but quietly tidied with tears in her eyes. She packed up her gold and silver valuables, took off her own bracelet, and gave it to her son—the engagement gift her father-in-law had given her through the butler years ago.

At dawn, his mother pushed him out of the tent, not daring to speak, cry, or ride a donkey. He had no time or any trouble, and the donkey was nowhere near as fast as Esau.

Why is that? Jacob gazed at the stars, feeling guilty rising in his heart. Father, you are old, but I cannot fulfill my filial duties. Mother, I have let down your nurturing kindness and broken your heart. Brother, I truly have let you down. I lied to you twice and made you so angry. When we meet again, can you forgive me? God, where are you? You appeared and spoke to my grandfather and father, entrusting them to pay the debt, yet I destroyed the family in an instant. Mother and son separated, siblings became enemies.

God, please do not abandon me, please forgive me… In a daze, he saw a gap in the starry sky suddenly open like a heavenly net, and a white ladder was dropped vertically from that opening, all the way to the ground, not far from the stone where he lay. The heavenly ladder was wide, with many angels moving up and down in an orderly manner.

Jacob stared in a daze, silent, noticing that angels surrounded the majestic god. His hair was as white as snow, his eyes as bright as flames, his face shining like the blazing sun, and his voice like a mighty roar. He said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of Isaac.” I will give you and your offspring the place where you lie now.

Your offspring will be as numerous as the dust of the earth, spread throughout the four directions, and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants. I am with you; wherever you go, I will protect you and lead you back to this land.

I will fulfill my promise to you and will never forsake you. Jacob saw and heard this, and was greatly afraid. He suddenly opened his eyes and was about to speak, but saw the starry sky still as quiet as the Milky Way, and the angels and gods of the Heavenly Ladder had vanished. After a moment, he came to his senses and realized he had just dreamed.

The dream was so vivid that Jacob even walked to the spot where the heavenly ladder had been placed and saw clear marks on the ground. Jacob didn’t know how long he had slept, nor how long the dream had lasted. But upon waking, he was all awake, sitting upright on the rock, his awe growing even stronger. “The Lord is here, and I do not know it. How terrifying this place is! This wilder, uninhabited place is the home of God, with a gateway to heaven.

As he pondered this, the stars gradually faded and dawn began to break in the east. Jacob raised the pillow stone, poured oil as an offering, and silently made a vow to God: “If God is with me, protects me on the road, provides me with food and clothing, and leads me safely back to my father’s house, I will surely worship the Lord as my God.”

The stone I set as a pillar will become the temple of God. Whatever you have given me, I will give you a tenth. “Jacob named the place Bethel (meaning ‘the dwelling place of God’), packed his bags, and set out toward the morning light.

He was no longer fearful, no longer fleeing, because he remembered that dream and kept his vow firmly in mind. God did not forget this moment, because two thousand years later, the Son of God Jesus personally mentioned Jacob’s dream and pointed out that the ladder symbolized Himself.

 “Abraham longed for a city with foundations, designed and built by God.” [Hebrews 11:10]

As time passed, Abraham moved back to Hebron with his family, where he met angels who were told of Isaac’s birth and the destruction of cities like Sodom.

When Isaac was 37, his mother Sarah passed away at the age of 127. Abraham stayed by her side, weeping bitterly. She returned to God, but left herself and her son to spend the rest of their time on earth.

At that time, Abraham was living among the Hittites. Although he was a wealthy shepherd, he owned no land. Abraham sought out the elders of the Lyhites in Hebron, begging them to sell him a piece of land to bury Sarah. Ephron among the Hittites showed sincerity to Abraham and sold him a piece of land for ninety taels of silver.

Abraham buried Sarah in a cave on that land. The ancients kept their promise, and that land was always used by the Abraham family as a burial site, burying four generations including Abraham, over more than 500 years. Their remains remain there to this day, becoming a famous sacred site. Because of the biblical records here, the Hittis were only excavated and confirmed by archaeologists after the nineteenth century, once again confirming the biblical accuracy.

Three years passed after Sarah’s death. Abraham was 140 years old, Isaac was 40, but they had not yet married. Abraham was unwilling to marry Isaac off to a local woman because God did not reveal this to him; he knew God hated the locals for idolatry, even killing his own children as sacrifices. He feared that his life was numbered, and that his son had been herding with him in the wilderness since birth, free from conflict and desire, obedient and pure. Remembering God’s promise to him to become a great family, he worried about his son’s marriage. He thought of his own clan thousands of miles away, where his younger brother had many descendants.

Abraham called his reliable old servant (who may have once accompanied his master to Mount Moriah) and said, “Please put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the LORD, the God who rules heaven and earth, that you will not take this Canaanite woman as my son’s wife.” You must return to my hometown and find a wife for Isaac among my relatives. ”

The old butler asked, “If that woman refuses to come here with me, should I take your son back to your hometown?” Abraham said, “You must not take my son back there!” For the Lord in heaven, who led me away from my father’s house and my homeland, spoke to me and swore to promise to grant this land to my descendants. He will send angels to lead you before you and help you find a wife for my son there. If the woman refuses to come with you, you have fulfilled the oath you made to me, but you must not take my son back there. ”

The steward prepared various valuable gifts, placed them on ten camels, and set out for Haran in the east, thousands of miles away. More than twenty days later, the old steward, weary from travel, arrived outside Harlan’s city. It was dusk, the sun setting in the west, and the tall city walls covered in a glow of orange-yellow.

The steward found a spring well by the camel, laid it down, and silently prayed to God: “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please show mercy to my master Abraham so that this may happen today.” Now, I stand by this spring, and the women of the city are coming out to draw water.

If I say to a young girl, ‘Please put down your water jar so I can drink some water,’ if she says, ‘Please drink, and I will fetch water for your camels to drink,’ may that woman be the wife you choose for your servant Isaac. That way, I can know the master you have bestowed upon me. “Just as he finished praying, a group of women came out of the city, carrying water jars on their shoulders to fetch water. The laughing women approached the well, and when they saw the unfamiliar butler, they were stunned, stopped joking, and nervously began to fetch water. The butler watched from the side, and when a beautiful young woman came to fetch water, he was moved and went up to her, saying, “Please give me some water to drink.” The beautiful woman’s eyes were as gentle as a dove’s. Seeing the servant’s weary eyes and parched lips, she immediately put down the water jar from her shoulder, held it in her hand, and said, “My lord, please drink.” ”

After the servant finished drinking, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, but before he could thank him, the young woman said, “I’ll fetch some water for your camels so they can drink their fill.” So, she told her companions to fetch water and go home first, stayed behind herself, then fetched water and poured the water from the jar into the sink. After a long trek across the desert, ten camels were already extremely thirsty, scrambling to squeeze water from their troughs. The water was quickly drained. The girl went back and forth by the well and the trough until the camels finally drank their fill.

The old butler stood nearby, watching the young woman wipe the sweat from her forehead, then took out a nose ring weighing about six grams and a pair of gold bracelets weighing about one hundred and ten grams, giving them to her, and asked, “May I ask whose daughter you are?” Does your father’s family have a place for us to stay? The girl replied, “I am Rebekah, daughter of Pethuri. My father was the son of Nahor (Abraham’s brother). I have plenty of provisions at home, and I have a place for you to stay. When the steward heard this, his eyes grew moist, his white beard trembled, and he immediately fell to the ground, looked up to heaven, worshiped God, and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, for He has always treated my master with love and faithfulness.”

Not only did He hear my prayer and answer it immediately, but He also led me to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother and gave me the Son of the Lord as his wife. Rebekah was confused but caught the underlying meaning. Blushing with embarrassment, he abandoned the water jar and ran home to tell his parents and brother everything that had happened.

Rebekah’s brother was named Laban. While listening, he looked at his sister’s nose ring and gold bracelet, and as he hurried to the well, he saw the old steward and the camel still waiting, so he said, “You who have been blessed by the Lord, come to my house.” Why stand outside? I have prepared a room for you and a place for the camel. The steward followed him to Laban’s house. Laban had already invited his father, had the camels unloaded with fodder, fed them fodder, fetched water for the steward and his companions to wash their feet, and prepared dinner for him. But the steward said, “Please wait until I explain my purpose before eating, okay?” Laban said, “Please go ahead.” ”

The old steward then described in detail how his master Abraham sent him here to befriend Isaac, how he endured great hardships on the long journey, how he prayed to God at the well, and how Rebekah miraculously appeared and granted all his prayers. Finally, he pleaded: “Now, if you are willing to treat my master with love and faithfulness and agree to this marriage, please tell me; If you don’t agree, please tell me so I know how to respond to my master. ”

Laban said to his father, “Since this is the Lord’s arrangement, we cannot say anything more.” Look, Rebekah is here; you may do as the Lord has said, and take her back to marry the Son of your Lord. When the old steward heard this, he fell down to the ground again and worshiped the Lord, then took out gold and silver jewelry and garments to Rebekah, and gave precious gifts to her brother and mother. The next morning, the old butler got up early and asked Rebekah’s parents to let him take her home immediately. Of course, Rebekah’s family insisted on trying to persuade her to stay.

But the old steward insisted, “Since the Lord has made my journey smooth, please do not hold me back, so that I may return to my master soon, for he is old and cannot bear to worry about this matter for long.” Rebekah’s parents had no choice but to call their daughter over to ask for her opinion, “Would you like to go with this man?” Rebekah looked at her parents and then at the old butler, her face flushed again, but her gaze remained calm as she said, “I do!” “More than twenty days passed, and at dusk again, Isaac, who lived in the southern wilderness of Beersheba, came to the fields.

Every evening, he would take a walk alone under the sunset, deep in thought. Since his mother passed away three years ago, he had been in a bad mood, missing her and not knowing how long he had been wandering like this. As he was pondering, he faintly heard the faint sound of camel bells coming from the east. He put his hands on his hand and looked around, saw the caravan of camels, and on closer inspection, he saw his father’s old butler and a stranger girl beside him. Though far away, he could still see her beautiful silhouette, pure and angelic in the sunset. Rebekah also saw Isaac in the distance. Facing the setting sun, she could only see his figure, but her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

She turned to ask the steward, “Who is he?” “That is my master Isaac, miss.” Upon hearing this, Rebekah immediately covered herself with a red veil to cover her delicate face. She saw Isaac striding toward her…

“Abraham believed that God could raise the dead, symbolically meaning he indeed received Isaac from death.” [Hebrews 11:19]

Another ten years passed. Another morning had passed, the sun had not yet risen, and a faint mist drifted over the sky in the sky.

Abraham came out of the tent, and two servants had already prepared two donkeys—one carrying food, water, and a tent, and the other carrying a large bundle of dry firewood.

He saw that everything was ready, then entered the tent, said goodbye to his wife Sarah, and after a moment, carried his nine-year-old son Isaac out of the tent. Isaac was not fully awake, resting his head on his father’s shoulder, wrapping his arms around his father’s neck, and continued to sleep. Abraham walked ahead, with two servants leading donkeys and following. The group of four left Besheba and headed toward the northern mountains.

The sun rose, and Isaac ran ahead of his father, excitedly looking around. This was his first long journey since birth. The wildflowers, butterflies, distant green mountains, and thickets all attracted him, so he rarely spoke and wasn’t tired. Abraham followed behind Isaac, and except for stopping him when he ran away, Abraham remained silent. His eyes kept following his son, his eyes occasionally moistening as he quickly wiped them away with the hem of his clothes, fearing that the two servants leading the donkeys behind would notice something was wrong.

His mood was like the mountain path beneath his feet, rising and falling. God called him yesterday and said to him, “Take your son, your only son, your beloved Isaac, to Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering on the mountain I have shown you.” He was so shocked he almost thought he had misheard.

Taking Isaac as a burnt offering? Does God want me to kill my son like the neighboring peoples and then burn him on dry wood? Why does God require me this way? Wasn’t it not God who personally promised me ten years ago in the oak grove of Hebron? Wasn’t Isaac’s name given by God Himself? Sarah did indeed give birth to Isaac a year later. Did God not see Isaac as my only Son? If Isaac was killed, how could God have fulfilled His earlier promise to become the father of many nations?

The first day’s itinerary ended, the servants set up tents, and lit bonfires. After dinner, Isaac fell asleep soundly in the tent. The two servants understood their master’s mood and hid aside to feed the donkey. Abraham sat alone by the campfire, silent. The night in the wilderness was heavy, and the stars seemed to be washed bright by the night, shining brilliantly.

Abraham was drawn to the stars and couldn’t help but look up at them. He suddenly recalled God’s promise from over twenty years ago: “Look up at the sky and count the stars—can you count them all?” Your descendants will be so many. Thinking of this, Abraham listened intently to Isaac’s soft snoring inside the tent. Suddenly, his heavy heart was opened—didn’t God’s promises always come true? This time, although I don’t understand what God wants me to do, God will surely prepare it. Even if my son dies, God will surely bring him back to life.

The next day, Abraham and his servants continued on their journey, traveling two hundred li from Beersheba to Moriah. Halfway was already traveled, but today it was all mountain roads, and all the way uphill. Isaac lost the strength and passion he had yesterday and sat on the donkey’s back. That night, when they camped, Mount Moria was already nearby.

On the third morning, the four of them arrived at the foot of the mountain. Abraham looked up at the mountain and said to his servant, “You and the donkey will wait here. I will go there with my children to worship God, and then we will return.”

Abraham took the dry wood from the donkey’s back, placed it on Isaac’s shoulder, took the fire and a sharp knife, and led Isaac toward the top of the mountain.

Not far away, Isaac stopped and asked, “Father.” “Child, what’s the matter?” “Look, we have fire and firewood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham’s heart stirred; he looked up at the sky and after a moment said, “Child, God Himself will prepare the lamb for the burnt offering.” The two continued walking forward. When he reached the top of the mountain, Abraham came to the place God had indicated, built an altar of stone, placed wood on it, and then tied Isaac up behind his back and placed it on the wood.

Isaac did not struggle, did not cry out, but simply looked at his father with tears. Abraham held back his tears, said nothing, covered Isaac’s eyes with one hand, raised the knife high with the other, aimed it at his son’s heart, closed his eyes, and was about to exert force, when suddenly an angel called out to him from heaven: “Abraham!” Abraham! Abraham was stunned, stopped his hand, looked up at the sky, and replied, “I am here.” The angel said, “Do not lay hands on the child, do not harm him!”

Now I know you fear God because you offered your son—your only son. Hearing this, Abraham’s heart suddenly relaxed. Relaxed, he heard the sounds of struggle in the thicket. Looking closer, he saw a ram with two horns stuck in the dense thicket. He couldn’t help but cheer loudly, then untied Isaac, and the father and son knelt down to thank God for His preparation. Abraham took the sheep and offered them as burnt offerings in place of his sons.

The angel said again to Abraham, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Since you are willing to offer your son, your only son, to me, I swear by myself that I will bless you, making your offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.’ Your descendants will take possession of the cities of your enemies, and all nations under heaven will be blessed because of your descendants, because you have obeyed my words.

Abraham’s faith was tested again, and as he had said, he went down the mountain with his son, and God indeed prepared the lamb for the sacrifice. Because of this, Abraham is later called the father of faith. However, God’s tempering of Abraham was just a prelude.

The reason God is so “cold and heartless” is to help people somewhat understand how much pain and sacrifice God endured when He voluntarily offered His only Son as a burnt offering, when His Son silently wept and willingly gave his life. God did not allow Abraham to offer his own son, but God did offer his own son. God does this entirely out of love.

“The people of Sodom, Gomorrah, and their nearby towns suffered the punishment of eternal fire for their debauchery and indulgence in perverse lust. All these things have become our warnings. ”‭[Jude 1:7]

As dawn broke, Sodom’s broad and solid city walls revealed their black outlines, like giant beasts lurking and guarding the entire city. The air was fresh and silent; since the city was established hundreds of years ago, every morning seemed to be the same. Most of the stars in the sky had disappeared, and the rest blinked with their sleepy eyes, soon to disappear as well.

Yet on the distant horizon, there is a floating bright spot, like a drifting thread of fire, flying toward the predetermined destination. The whole city was sound asleep, except for Lot’s family, who stayed awake all night. The angel urged Lot to flee with his family quickly, because God’s judgment was imminent. But Lot hesitated and remained silent, unable to decide.

He looked around—was he really just going to let go of most of his life’s savings? No one could change the time God had predetermined. The angel knew the situation was dire and urgent. Seeing that Lot was still hesitant, he resolutely held them back and hurried out of the room, heading toward the southeast city gate. One angel dragged Lot and his wife, and another angel dragged Lot’s two daughters. The two daughters were attentive, already carrying rations and wine.

The whole family was dragged out of the city by a strong angel, panting but not daring to complain. Everything that had happened from last night until now made them realize how severe and terrifying the angel’s warning was.

At the moment of farewell, an angel pointed to the mountains to the southeast and said to Lot’s family, “Run for your lives quickly!” Quick, escape to that mountain! When you arrive there, immediately hide in the cave; do not come out, do not climb high to look back, and never linger on the plain, or you will be destroyed.

Lot was panting and troubled, and said to the angel, “My lord, please do not do this.” The servant was kindly saved by your kindness, but I am old, my wife is in poor health, and my two daughters are weak. The mountain is too far from here, and we are too strong to climb the mountain path. It will probably take us a whole day to get there, and we absolutely cannot escape to the mountain before God’s disaster strikes.

The disaster of God’s coming will catch up with us halfway, and my whole family will surely die! Look, that city isn’t far from here, it’s easy to reach, and it’s a small city. Please let me escape to that small city to survive! “Alright, I promise you I won’t destroy that small town.

But you should run away quickly. Because God loves you, I must not act before you arrive. After saying this, the angel strode away. [From then on, the city was called Zoar, meaning ‘small town,’ located on the southeastern shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. Lot led his wife and two daughters to flee to Zour, and when they arrived two or three hours later, the sun had already risen.

They didn’t dare delay and quickly found a cave to hide. Moments later, a tearing screech echoed from the sky, sharp as a group of women screaming desperately, making one’s hair stand on end. The scream seemed right beside their ears, as if it would pierce their eardrums. The whole family instinctively covered their ears with both hands.

In an instant, the sound of explosions first rumbled like rolling thunder, then densely packed like massive hail hitting the ground.

The earth shook violently, like the drumhead of a giant drum being struck by an angel, the mountain swayed like a drunkard swinging in swing, or as if riding on the back of a raging giant elephant. At this terrifying moment, Mrs. Lot suddenly ran out of the cave, climbed up a high slope outside, leaned against a huge rock, and looked toward Sodom with her hands. Maybe she was just too curious and wanted to see what was really happening.

Perhaps she was too anxious, worried about whether her family business could escape God’s wrath. Or maybe she was too stubborn, disregarding the angel’s warning, thinking that leaving so far would mean no danger. She looked far and saw the sky filled with meteor chunks burning like rockets, emitting blue, almost transparent flames, as large as houses and as small as stone mills, crashing down toward Sodom and Omorah.

The ground was engulfed in flames, with no trace of the city as before. This was the last scene she saw in the human world. In an instant, the shockwave roared like invisible giant waves. The sudden heat was like molten steel being fired, compressed air like a cannonball, filled with the pungent smell of sulfur, and the dust it carried was like a white tsunami on the ground.

Mrs. Lot died instantly; the heat scorched her body, the shockwaves pressed her tightly against the stones behind her, dust wrapping her, and she froze into a statue like a pillar of salt.

That same morning, northwest of Sodom, in the land of Hebron, in the oak grove where Abraham had received the angel the day before, Abraham also saw sulfur meteors shooting from the sky and heard terrifying tremors coming from far away Sodom.

He stood on a high vantage point and looked out, seeing thick smoke billowing like black smoke from a kiln. Thinking of his conversation with God yesterday, Abraham feared God even more, and remembered that his nephew Lot was still alive and dead, so he sighed and shook his head to leave.

He did not expect that Lot’s two daughters would soon get their father drunk and commit incest with him, becoming pregnant one after another, and each bore a son named Moab and Ammon. So, how will Moab, Ammon, and Isaac, the son God promised Abraham to bear, treat each other in the future?

“God rescued Lot, a righteous man who was deeply distressed by the debauchery and licentiousness of the wicked; for as he lived among them, he saw and heard their lawless deeds day after day, and his righteous soul was tormented.”[Genesis 13:10].

After the three finished eating, they said goodbye to Abraham and then walked toward the great city of Sodom.

Abraham stepped forward and said, “God, will you destroy both the righteous and the wicked?” If there are fifty righteous men in the city, will you still destroy it?

Would you forgive that city for the sake of fifty righteous people? You will never be blind and destroy both the righteous and the wicked. You are the judge of the world; do you not act impartially? “If I find fifty righteous men in Sodom, I will forgive the whole city because of them.” “If there were only forty-five righteous men, would you destroy the whole city just because you lost five righteous men?” “If I find forty-five righteous men in the city, I will not destroy that city.”

“What if forty righteous men are found there?” “For the sake of those forty people, I will not destroy that city.”

“What if only thirty righteous men are found there?” “For the sake of those thirty people, I will not destroy that city.” “What if only twenty righteous men are found there?” “For the sake of those twenty people, I will not destroy that city.” “Lord, do not be angry. Let me ask one last time: what if only ten righteous men are found there?” “For the sake of those ten people, I will not destroy that city.” ‭ Knowing that God is righteous, Abraham departed with a sense of reverence, yet his thoughts remained fixed on his nephew Lot, who was in the city of Sodom.

At dusk, two angels arrived at Sodom. Lot, sitting at the city gate, saw them and immediately felt awe, insisting they stay at his home. Although there were fewer than ten righteous people in the city, God would not allow even one righteous person to die innocently; instead, He wanted to save him and his entire family.

The two angels were about to save Lot, so they followed him into the city and headed toward his house. In the city at dusk, Lot led two clear and handsome angels through the bustling crowds. On both sides of the street were numerous taverns, brothels, and temples.

The men on the street all turned to stare at the three of them. Lot and the others all knew the shepherd and wealthy man living here, but the two young men had never met before. They exchanged knowing glances; tonight they were having a good time.

Late at night, after hosting two guests at home and about to let them sleep, footsteps suddenly rang out like a storm outside. The door was pounded so hard it was about to collapse, and a wave of alcohol rushed into the room. Men shouted loudly, “Lot, where are the two handsome men you brought into town that evening?” Hand it over now! ”

“Rod, you old man really knows how to pick out beauties. How could they enjoy it alone? Hand them over, and we will enjoy them together. “Hurry up, hurry up, I can’t easily see such a beauty, I can’t take it anymore.” I want to deal with them first. ”

“Queue, queue, queue, we all have a share. Lot, hand them over quickly! “All the men in the city had gathered; this was a celebration they rarely encountered.

Outsiders knew about their cruelty and never dared enter the city, yet tonight, two young and handsome men came to their door. They couldn’t hold back anymore and poured their heart out, unwilling to miss this rare opportunity. Under the light, Luo De’s face turned pale with fright. He looked back at the two guests, but they remained calm and composed, saying nothing.

Luo De gently unlatched the door, quickly walked out, then closed the door. Everyone quieted down in unison. Lot said to everyone, “Brothers, please do not do such evil things!” I have two daughters, and they’re still virgins. I’m willing to hand them over for you to do as you wish, but please don’t insult them—they’re guests in my house. Before he could finish, the crowd’s roars surged like a flood, drowning out Lot: “Who cares about your virgin maid!” Our fun is playing with handsome men.

You rustic native, haha! “Get lost, old man, don’t refuse a toast and drink a penalty drink.” “You country bumpkin, you dare to control us. Watch me teach you how to be so obedient. “Rod was about to defend himself when the door suddenly opened. Behind the door, an arm reached out and pulled Rod into the room, only to be locked again.

The two angels said to Lot, “We are angels sent by God.” We have come to destroy this city and the city of Omorah. These two major cities were rife with evil, and the calls to denounce their misdeeds had long been heard before the gods.

God gave them enough time to repent, but they only became more severe. You and your two daughters, their fiancés, and any other relatives, hurry and escape here overnight, heading to the high mountains to the southeast, and don’t stay on the plains.

Because after dawn, the plains here will be completely wiped out. “At dawn, the servant sent by Lot to find his daughter’s fiancé returned empty-handed. The two men had also been surrounded by the crowd surrounding Lot’s house last night. They told the servants that Lot was scaring them and that they didn’t want to leave.

Other relatives gave the same answer. The angel’s expression was grave, and he said to Lot, “Get up, hurry, take your wife and two daughters and leave, so that when Sodom is punished for sin, you will be destroyed with you.”

Lot pondered silently. He looked at the wealth and property he had accumulated over decades, at the servants who, though tense, none were willing to leave, and at the panicked wife and two daughters, yet he still found it hard to make the final decision to leave this affluent city. He hesitated and felt uneasy.

Will God really destroy this city? How could these two handsome but bare-handed men destroy such a magnificent city?

“The situation at the coming of the Son of Man was like the days of Noah. Before the flood came, people ate and drank, marrying men and women, until the day Noah entered the ark; They were completely unaware until the flood swept them all away. ”‭ ‭[ Matthew 24:37-38 ]

The sky collapsed, and the ice curtain shattered like a glass ceiling. Fragments fell, passing through the atmosphere, rising into white mist, which quickly condensed into a black curtain of rain. Rain poured down, the air being squeezed so tightly that there seemed to be nowhere to hide. Darkness spread everywhere, thick as ink, rain cold like a black arrow shooting straight at the ground. Thunder rumbled across the land, rising and falling one after another, like the neighing of ten thousand horses, shaking the universe. Lightning tore open the black sky like lightning, and like a fleeting nightmare, a terrifying scene instantly appeared across heaven and earth.

The ground is gone, the grass is gone, the houses are gone, the forest is gone, the hills are gone, and the whole land is covered in vast water. Under the pressure of water, the surface shattered like an eggshell, shattering into pieces; the spring of the underground abyss erupted like volcanic lava, and great waters surged into the sky. The earth sways like a drunkard, water rushes wildly, and waves surge violently.

Above the vast ocean, only a lone boat remained, drifting in the rapids, but the dimensions of the ship set by the gods kept it exceptionally stable and unlikely to capsize. Between heaven and earth, above the primordial wilderness, only the aura and life inside the ship still remained. Nearly two thousand years of gentle times before the Great Flood are gone forever; evil and unrepentant humanity is swept away by the flood, billions of souls sink into boundless darkness, awaiting the final judgment of the apocalypse.

Inside the enclosed ship, Noah’s family flickered by candlelight dispelling the darkness in the cabin. They heard the heavy rain pounding like drumsticks on the hull, day and night for forty days, making their speech mute, and they remained silent. God’s judgment on the earth made them tremble in fear, and God’s salvation made them deeply awe-inspired. Darkness, bumps, cold, and noise bring the animals inside into a dormant, almost hibernating sleep; the instincts and nature bestowed by God make them gentle and quiet.

After 40 days of heavy rain, the rain stopped, the water gradually calmed, the earth became a water ball, muddy and yellow everywhere, and even the highest mountain was submerged. The underwater crust continues to drift and collide, with constant rumbling echoes. A massive deep trench begins to form, towering mountains slowly emerge, and the crust overlaps, leaving hidden dangers for future earthquakes.

After 150 days passed, God favored Noah and the beasts and livestock in the ark, causing the wind to blow over the earth, and the waters began to recede. God also stopped the boat on the summit of Ararat, so it no longer drifted.

Another 121 days passed. Noah released the dove. At dusk, the gentle dove carried back green olive leaves, and Noah knew that the water on the earth had receded, the soil had appeared, and the plants were beginning to grow anew. The dove carrying olive leaves has also become a symbol of today’s peace, symbolizing harmony between God and humanity.

Noah continued to wait patiently inside the ship. A whole year passed after the flood. It was February 27th, with clear skies and a revival of spring. Noah led his family out of the boat, and all the animals had left.

Noah offered sacrifices to God, thanking God for His salvation. God made a covenant with Noah by pointing to the rainbow that pierced the sky. “I placed a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of my covenant with the earth. When I make the clouds cover the earth, rainbows will appear within the clouds. In this way, I will remember the covenant I made with you and all living beings, and the waters will no longer flood and drown all living beings. ”

To protect the weak among mankind, God gave Noah a commandment: “Anyone who kills or kills, whether man or beast, I will demand a blood debt from them.” Whoever kills will be held accountable for their blood debt. Whoever kills others will also be killed; Because man was created by God in His own image. To shorten the period of excessive human sinfulness, the lifespan God set for people was greatly shortened; people no longer lived eight or nine hundred years, but only 120 years.

From then on, the Earth turned a new page, and humanity began to live and reproduce. Noah’s three sons became the founders of today’s nations and tribes. As a result, various human cultures recorded floods, and rainbows appeared after the rain, reminding people of God’s covenant with Noah.

But the covenant of Noah is merely the first foreshadowing of the new covenant God will establish with mankind. Noah entered the ark because of faith in God, and today people must believe in the Son of God to enter eternal salvation. Yesterday, the ark of salvation was built by Noah himself; today, God’s ‘ark’ of salvation must be the sacrificial body of the Son of God.

But how many times must humanity repeat the history of sin before understanding God’s good intentions?