The word “epicenter” pertains to the center point above an earthquake. However, “epicenter” is used often figuratively as, “The focal point of a usually harmful or unpleasant phenomenon or event; the center” (yourdictionary.com). As I listened to the news this morning, the broadcaster referred to San Francisco as the epicenter for the United States for instances of monkeypox, and he cited New York City and Miami as epicenters for this disease in other parts of the country. Furthermore, in each of those epicenters, monkeypox first and primarily infects homosexual communities. Thousands of years ago, Sodom was an epicenter for homosexuality, for which cause God destroyed it and neighboring cities (Genesis 19:1-29). God could not find even 10 righteous souls in Sodom (Genesis 18:24-33).
Genesis 19:4-5 identifies the specific sin by which the city of Sodom defiled itself, and the NIV uses plain, unmistakable words. “Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom – both young and old – surrounded the house. They called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.’” Prior to the Law of Moses or Judaism and under Patriarchy, God condemned homosexuality or sodomy. The word “sodomy” comes from the city of Sodom, which God destroyed because homosexuality was commonplace there. That decisive, punitive action by God against Sodom as the epicenter for homosexuality should cause residents of San Francisco, New York City and Miami to pause and carefully reflect respecting being epicenters for homosexuality today.
Likewise, under Judaism, God also condemned homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22 reads, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (NKJV). The word “abomination” here means “extreme disgust and hatred” (Webster’s) and “something disgusting (morally)… an abhorrence” (Biblesoft’s). God hates some sins – such as homosexuality – more than others (Proverbs 6:16) and calls them “abominations.” The seriousness of homosexuality is apparent from Leviticus 20:13, which says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” God mandated capital punishment under Patriarchy and Judaism for homosexuality.
God also condemns homosexuality in the New Testament under the Gospel Age – Christianity. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV). In another list of sins, the inspired apostle Paul included, “…the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality…” (1 Timothy 1:10 ESV).
God views homosexuality as a “perversion” and made the destruction of Sodom and the surrounding cities “an example” against homosexuality. “He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6 NIV; cf., Luke 17:29). “…Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7).
Remember that through homosexuals another disease was introduced into the United States – HIV/AIDS. Now, homosexuals have lately brought into the country the disease of monkeypox. Not only did the apostle Paul condemn homosexuality when writing to Christians at Rome, he also indicated that there is a physical penalty for practicing homosexuality.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves… For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:24, 26-27 NKJV)
HIV/AIDS, monkeypox and who knows what else appears to correspond to “receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” Unfortunately, diseases brought about by homosexual behavior also results in collateral damage when non-homosexuals become infected with HIV/AIDS and monkeypox (i.e., through blood transfusions, bi-sexual contact with heterosexuals, exposure to saliva or blood).
How ironic! Homosexuals just finished not long ago – June 1-30 – and celebrated “pride month.” Shall we celebrate HIV/AIDS? Shall we celebrate monkeypox? Should we have pride in HIV/AIDS and monkeypox? Lawmakers, leaders of industry and the media champion homosexuality – something that God views as an abomination and condemns. Romans 1:32 declares that punishment will be forthcoming not only for homosexuals but also for those who approve of it!
Contrary to popular assertions, the Bible amply condemns homosexuality (Genesis 19:1-29; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Luke 17:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11). According to the meaning of the original language of the word, the “perverted persons” of Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46 and 2 Kings 23:7 refers to homosexuals.
There is a remedy for all sins, including the sin of homosexuality. Some of the Christians at Corinth had been homosexuals, and they were forgiven upon their repentance and obedience to the Gospel. Paul wrote:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV)
Jesus Christ summarized in Mark 16:16 one’s initial obedience to the Gospel to become a Christian. It reads, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” Forgiveness for sins after becoming a Christian involves penitence and prayer (Acts 8:22). To not obey the Gospel and suffer eternal condemnation is too horrible to contemplate (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Peter 4:17).
Works Cited
Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Electronic Database. Seattle: Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, 2010.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language. Electronic Database. Seattle: Biblesoft, 2011.
