“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:26-33; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

Some churches and pastors have a lot to say about the End Times. Luke 17 is a familiar passage for those who hear a lot of sermons and teachings about the Second Coming of Jesus. However, most readers overlook verse 32: “Remember Lot’s wife.”

When God’s angels warned Lot and his family that God was about to judge and destroy their city, Sodom, Lot and his family did not act like people of deep faith. On the day that God would pour out His wrath, the angels told Lot to flee, but he “lingered”; some translations say he “hesitated.” The Message Bible says Lot “dragged his feet” (Genesis 19:15). No matter how you phrase it, Lot did not rush. He was comfortable in Sodom. He did not want to leave. Perhaps he thought God would never judge Sodom as long as Lot and his family lived there.

They finally fled, but Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:24-26). Some people think God miraculously judged her by changing her into an inanimate object, as punishment for looking back (Genesis 19:17). Others think she lingered and was buried beneath the sulfur and fire from heaven.

Either way, Lot’s wife looked back and did not arrive at their city of refuge. So, centuries later, Jesus warned His disciples, “Remember Lot’s wife.”

We often cling to this world without thinking about eternity. In Noah’s time, “They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage” (Luke 17:27). Likewise, in the days of Lot, “they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building” (Luke 17:28). People were simply enjoying life, taking care of their current needs and desires, and preparing for their future. Wickedness reigned both in Noah’s time and in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 6:5-8, 18:20-21).

Nobody knows when Jesus will return or when they will stand before God’s judgment seat. However, we know the day will come. We can try to ignore it and pretend we have more time than we need. We can devote ourselves to eating, drinking, family, relationships, business, pleasure, etc. But one day, we will stand before God.

Will you be looking back when that happens? Or are you looking ahead now, preparing to be ready when God calls you home? Do not cling to the life you have now. Seek the life that Jesus provides, which will last forever. Let us live today with our eyes on eternity.

I would like to hear your thoughts about this passage of Scripture. Feel free to share something in the comments area below.

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