0500. RESCUE WORK BY ANGELS

RESCUE WORK BY ANGELS

Gen_19:1

"There came two angels to Sodom." Angels in Sodom! What a contrast. The brightest and holiest of servants in the darkest and wickedest cities. Even slumwork may become angelic. These messengers of mercy and of judgment are examples to all who desire to rescue the perishing. Notice-

I. Where they Went. They went to "Sodom" (Gen_19:1). A city reeking with iniquity, and they went conscious that their eyes and ears must see and hear things that would pierce their souls with an agony of pain and distress, but they were prepared to suffer, they were willing even to "abide in the street all night" (Gen_19:2). Those who would seek the salvation of others must be ready to sacrifice their own comfort and ease.

II. Why they Went. They went because the Lord sent them (Gen_19:13). They did not go because they felt that the wickedness of the city demanded that something should be done, or because they had nothing else more urgent to do. No. They went with a definite commission at the bidding of the Lord. They realised that the work was not theirs, but God’s. They had come in His Name, and in His strength, to do His will among them, and it would be done. The servants of Christ will soon grow weary in welldoing if they have not this perfect assurance, that they are in the very place and doing the very work He has sent them to do.

III. What they Went to Do. They went to preach instant salvation and coming judgment. "Up, get you out of this place, for the Lord will destroy this city" (Gen_19:14). They had no scheme of social reform to propose. Those Sodomites were condemned already. There was no alternative left them but to escape or perish. The eyes of these Heaven-sent messengers were wide awake to the real facts of the case, so that they could do nothing else but press home their one message of warning and hope. They spoke and acted as those who believed in the "wrath to come," and who saw the peril of those who were disposed to "linger" through indecision (Gen_19:16). There was no time like "now" to them: "Behold, now is the day of salvation." So urgent were these evangelists that they literally laid hold of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters (Gen_19:16). Personal dealing they felt was a pressing necessity if souls were to be rescued from the approaching doom. Why should preachers of the Gospel not be as earnest and as urgent as these two heralds were? Have they not as definite a message to deliver? Is there not the same danger of destruction awaiting those who believe not, nor obey the Gospel? (1Th_5:3). "This one thing I do" which characterised these "sent ones" is a special feature in all those who have been called of God and sent. He maketh His ministers a flame of fire.

Autor: James Smith