Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

that person's destiny has been fixed. Then the signal will be given
for judgment to be carried out.
Another Sodom
In the religious world today God's mercy has been taken for
granted and treated lightly. Many people try to invalidate the law by
"teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
Skepticism prevails in many churches, not skepticism in its broadest
sense--an open denial of the Bible--but a skepticism undermining
faith in the Bible as a revelation from God. Genuine devotion to
God has been replaced by hollow formalism and as a result apostasy
and immorality prevail. Christ declared, "As it was also in the days
of Lot ... Even so will it be in the day when the Son of man is
revealed" (Luke 17:28, 30). The world is quickly becoming ready
for destruction.
Our Savior said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be
weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare
on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth"--all whose
interests are centered in this world. "Watch therefore, and pray
always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things
that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke
21:34-36).
Before the destruction of Sodom, God sent a message to Lot,
"Escape for your life!" The same voice of warning was heard before
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