the last?

[Amie]

Jude 1
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these, committing fornication, and going away after other flesh, laid down an example before-times, undergoing vengeance of everlasting fire.

What "other flesh" did Israel go after "as Sodom and Gomorrah"?

Also, I was thinking about the negotiating that Abraham did with God over Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18). God said that he would not destroy the city (allowing the wicked to live), for the sake of as little as ten righteous people.

The cities were destroyed however, and the wicked along with them, just like in the days of Noah.

I noticed that we have the concept that the wicked could be allowed to thrive for the sake of some righteous. As well as the concept that the wicked will be wiped out and the righteous saved out of them. In connection to that, Israel as a nation would come into existance because of the righteous saved out of the wicked via the Ark, or as in the story Sodom and Gomorrah. Then, there was the Exodus wherein those not believing were destroyed (Jude 1:5). Unbelievers threatened the existance of Israel and Israel's life meant hope for all humanity.

Were wicked people ever allowed to thrive for the sake of some righteous? Did that ever happen?

God destroyed many cities it seems in the name of purification. It makes sense that imagry such as "fire and brimstone" are used since those things were used for purification. It seems to me that what would set the destruction of Jerusalem apart would be that it would be the last and final step in purification. How do we know that's true?

Thanks ahead :)

Amie

[Barry]

As per the first part sis, here is a little info that might (or might not) help.

Here are some interesting scriptures on the subject.
Jer 23:14
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Eze 16:56 For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,



Strange is most often foreigner or foreign.
Heb. 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Jdg 11:2 And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou [art] the son of a strange woman.

1 Ki 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites;

1 Ki 11:8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

Ezr 10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, [one] of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

Ezr 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

Ezr 10:11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

Neh 13:27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Has 5:7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Perhaps as here:
Gen 19:9
And they said, Stand back. And they said [again], This one [fellow] came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, [even] Lot, and came near to break the door.

IMHO all the information is not recorded as they seem to know why the men are there. One in particular who seems to foreshadow the great "Judge".
[Any thoughts on this?]

This “in like manner”ed Israel’s idolatry or fornication with other nations.
Barry

[Amie]

Barry,

I reckon this is a good example of "like manner" not meaning "exactly the same", otherwise it just wouldn't make sense. Sodom and Gomorrah couldn't go after strange nations -- they were 'strange nations'. They could stand as the example for Israel's infidelity from God though - through their literal infidelity.

Thanks for working this over with me,

Amie

[Amie]

..Any thoughts on how we know that the destruction of Jerusalem was the last destruction?

Amie

[lynn]

..Any thoughts on how we know that the destruction of Jerusalem was the last destruction?If I'm understanding your question, Amy, are you asking about "double fulfilments," that even though Jerusalem's destruction happened once, there may be another fulfillment in the future? I'm asked this question often, and it challenges me every time. :confused: Would the following verses help?
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.
Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

[Lou]

The destruction of Jerusalem was to make way for the “perfect” and the “perfect” has come. Another destruction would have to be of the “perfect.”

[Lou]

Btw the perfect is God’s spiritual Kingdom imo.

[Amie]

Lynn,

I wasn't asking about "double fulfillments". Biblically judgement has come upon the nation of Israel more than twice. The question was about how we know that what occurred in Jerusalem was the last.

Lou,

I think that you make a good point about the coming of perfection. I don't think that ("perfection") was prophesied or carried out relating to the other judgements (ie Babylon's capture of Israel).

As well, I'm thinking that all of the mention of "last things" might be a clue, lol. I feel a bit silly about not thinking of that one, heh.

Amie