The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan. The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. “Escape for thy life” is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard saying: “Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm.” Those who are at ease in Zion cry “Peace and safety,” while heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire. On the night prior to their destruction the cities of the plain rioted in pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom. {5T 233.3}

Verdens dødelige dvaletilstand lammer jeres sanser. Synden synes ikke mere at være frastødende, fordi Satan har forblindet jer. Guds straffedomme vil snart blive udgydt over jorden. »Det gælder dit liv!« lyder det advarende fra Guds engel. Der høres andre stemmer, som siger: »Lad jer ikke forskrække! Der er ingen årsag til særlig uro.« De sorgløse i Zion råber fred og ingen fare, medens himmelen erklærer, at hastig ødelæggelse er ved at komme over overtræderen. De unge, de overfladiske og de forlystelsessyge betragter disse advarsler som tomme fabler og vender sig bort fra dem med en spøg. Forældre er tilbøjelige til at mene, at deres børn har omtrent ret i dette og alle sover sorgløst videre. Således var det ved den gamle verdens ødelæggelse og da Sodoma og Gomorra blev fortæret af ild. Natten forud for deres undergang svælgede (234) byerne på sletten i vellyst. Lot blev spottet for sin frygt og sine advarsler. Men det var disse spottere, der omkom i flammerne. Netop den nat blev nådens dør for evigt lukket for de onde, ligegyldige indbyggere i Sodoma.