“This was the sin of . . . Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49

The people of Sodom lived in a rich valley. They did not have to work as hard as others to have good crops and become prosperous. They had many luxuries; they became idle, full of pride, selfish, and extremely wicked.

God saw that it would be better for the Sodomites in the resurrection if he destroyed them before they became even more wicked. There were only four people in Sodom who were righteous: Lot, his wife, and their two daughters. Two angels were sent to warn Lot’s family of the coming disaster. Lot then warned others to escape, but they merely laughed at him.

Apparently an earthquake took place in the valley causing shifting and pressing down of the earth onto the oil, sulfur, salt, and gases under the earth’s surface. A tremendous explosion occurred which destroyed the entire city, as well as the city of Gomorrah and other cities nearby.

Tons of fiery oil, sulfur, and gases were expelled into the atmosphere. The two angels helped Lot, his wife, and daughters, to flee the city. But Lot’s wife, evidently not wanting to give up her home and all her treasures, lingered and looked back. She was caught in the “rain” of salt and was completely covered, making a kind of pillar. This is one of the strange stories from the Bible that many have thought to be a myth, but researchers have proven it to be a fact. Genesis 19:24-26

The destruction of the Sodomites is an example of what happens to sinners (all of mankind) at death. Death—the absence of life—and not eternal torment is the penalty for sin. Romans 6:23

The Bible teaches that the people who lived in Sodom are not hopelessly lost (Ezekiel 16:53, 55). Rather, in the Millennial age, they will have an opportunity to hear of God’s great plan of salvation for all. They will have a chance to accept God’s laws and rejoice in his truth, just as will all those who have not had an opportunity beforehand to do so. These Sodomites will actually be judged less severely in the kingdom than those who were able to see Jesus’ miracles and hear his words, yet rejected his message. Matthew 10:15

Death and not eternal torment is the penalty for sin.