WHEN A CITY FORGETS GOD
Brethren, hear this truth – when a city forgets God, its towers crumble and its glory fades like dust in the wind. Sin doesn’t just live in hearts – it takes root in streets, fills the air, and shapes the spirit of a people. History has proven it, Scripture declares it, and our world still reflects it.
The cities that once sparkled with brilliance fell because they traded holiness for hubris, compassion for corruption, and reverence for rebellion. But praise the Lord – He still calls us to build differently. The Lord still plants righteous lights amid the ruins. This is not just history – it’s warning, prophecy, and mercy in motion.
Sodom and Gomorrah – The Cities of Fire and Forgetfulness
Friends, Sodom and Gomorrah burned not just because of their sin but because they ignored mercy’s last knock.
Genesis 19:24–25 says God rained fire and brimstone from heaven. Ezekiel 16:49–50 reveals their true sickness – pride, fullness of bread, and neglect of the poor. And Jude 1:7 calls them an eternal example of judgment.
Their ashes whisper through time: sin may look prosperous, but it always burns out. Pride builds cities – humility preserves them.
Babel – The City That Tried to Reach Heaven
“Let us build a tower unto heaven,” they said (Genesis 11:4–9). But brethren, man cannot climb to God – he must bow to Him. Babel’s tower fell because it was built on arrogance. The result? Confusion, scattering, and the birth of a proud empire that later became Babylon.
Pride builds monuments – obedience builds altars. One is for man’s glory, the other for God’s. Which are we building?
Babylon – The City of Pride and False Glory
Praise be to God, who humbles kings! Babylon became “the glory of kingdoms” (Isaiah 13:19) yet turned into a byword for judgment. Jeremiah 51:24–26 declares its stones would never be used again. Revelation 17–18 calls her “the mother of harlots,” drunk with the world’s sin.
When Nebuchadnezzar boasted “Is not this great Babylon?” (Daniel 4:30), God drove him to the fields until he learned that Heaven rules.
Nineveh – The City of Cruelty and Repentance
Nineveh, cruel and violent (Nahum 3:1–4), bowed in sackcloth when Jonah preached. From king to beggar, they turned, and God spared them (Jonah 3:5–10). But later generations returned to sin and faced ruin (Nahum 3:7).
Mercy delayed is not mercy denied – but it must be received. God’s compassion is vast, but rebellion eventually reaps wrath.
Tyre – The City of Trade and Arrogance
Tyre flaunted its riches and beauty (Ezekiel 28:12–19; Isaiah 23:8–9). Its king mirrored Lucifer’s pride, saying, “I am a god.” Yet God brought him low.
When commerce replaces character, and gold replaces God, destruction follows. Brethren, the Lord tears down every empire that forgets who owns the sea and the silver.
Samaria – The City of Idolatry
Samaria mixed God’s truth with idols (1 Kings 16:29–33; Hosea 8:5–6; Micah 1:6–7). It was beautiful in form but empty in faith. When idolatry becomes culture, destruction becomes prophecy.
Compromise may look clever – but it leads to captivity. God desires purity, not mixture.
Jericho – The Fortified City of Defiance
Jericho stood with walls that mocked God’s people (Joshua 6:1–21), but faith made them fall (Hebrews 11:30).
No fortress stands against the shout of obedience. Sin’s walls crumble when faith marches forward. Praise the Lord – He still brings down strongholds today.
Egypt – The House of Bondage
Egypt was more than a nation – it was a mindset. A picture of sin’s slavery. Pharaoh’s pride resisted God (Exodus 1:8–14; Ezekiel 29:3), until judgment came. Revelation 11:8 even compares a corrupt world to “spiritual Egypt.”
Friends, God didn’t deliver Israel just to see them look back. Don’t long for Egypt when you’ve been called to the Promised Land.
Corinth – The City of Carnal Christianity
Corinth overflowed with sin, wealth, and temples to lust. Yet the church lived there (1 Corinthians 3:1–3; 6:9–11). Paul called them “babes in Christ.”
It’s easy to let culture creep into the church. But God’s people are called to holiness, not compromise. The Lord doesn’t just clean the outside – He renews the inside.
Rome – The City of Power and Persecution
Rome, the iron empire (Revelation 17:9,18; 1 Peter 5:13), crushed nations and persecuted saints. Yet its very cruelty became the stage for courage.
When men burned Christians, heaven crowned them. The blood of martyrs became the seed of the church. No empire can silence faith that burns brighter than fire.
Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum – The Cities That Rejected Jesus
Jesus Himself walked their streets, healed their sick, and taught truth (Matthew 11:20–24; Luke 10:13–15). Yet they refused to repent.
How tragic – to have God in your midst and still be unmoved. Revelation falls heavier where revelation was greatest.
Laodicea – The Lukewarm City
Rich, proud, and blind (Revelation 3:14–22), Laodicea said, “I have need of nothing.” But Jesus said, “I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
Lukewarm faith disgusts the Lord. He would rather see us hot with love or cold in honesty than stuck in complacent religion. Friends, revival begins when comfort ends.
Pergamos – The Compromising Church City
Pergamos was “where Satan’s seat is” (Revelation 2:12–16). It tolerated sin under the banner of grace. But grace that excuses sin isn’t grace – it’s poison.
God calls His people to holiness even in hellish places. Compromise may win peace for a moment, but it loses purity forever.
Ephesus – The City That Lost Its First Love
Ephesus had strong doctrine and good works (Revelation 2:1–5) – but their hearts grew cold. Jesus said, “Thou hast left thy first love.”
Truth without tenderness is just noise. The Lord wants both heart and head, passion and purity.
Jerusalem – The City That Rejected Her King
Jerusalem broke God’s heart. “O Jerusalem… how often would I have gathered thy children together” (Matthew 23:37–38; Luke 19:41–44). Jesus wept because they missed their visitation.
Yet even in rejection, God’s mercy still calls. The same city that crucified the Savior will one day see Him reign.
FINAL REFLECTION
From Sodom’s ashes to Babylon’s ruins, every city that exalted man over God ended the same way. When a people forsake righteousness, they invite ruin. But praise be to God – He still builds cities of light through His people.
Let this be our prayer:
“Lord, make my heart a city of refuge, not rebellion. Make my home a dwelling for Your presence, not pride. Let Your righteousness rise like morning over our land.”
Brethren, the hour is late, but mercy still speaks. Repent, rebuild, and remember – every city that honors God will stand forever.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
