Mrs. White vs. The Bible
Was Zoar Destroyed?

By D. Anderson

"Whatever contradicts God's word, we may be sure proceeds from Satan."
--Ellen White, PP 55

In the Biblical account of the destruction of Sodom, Lot begs for the city of Zoar to be spared. The Bible says the Lord accepted Lot's plea to save the city:

"And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar." (Genesis 19:21,22)
The promise is given that the city of Zoar would not be overthrown. However, Ellen White says that the city was later destroyed by God:
"Lot dwelt but a short time in Zoar. Iniquity prevailed there as in Sodom, and he feared to remain, lest the city should be destroyed. Not long after, Zoar was consumed, as God had purposed. Lot made his way to the mountains, and abode in a cave." (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 167)
Was Zoar destroyed by God after Lot received the promise that it would not be destroyed? Did God renig on His word? Not according to the Bible. The city was still in existence hundreds of years later when the Lord was showing Moses the border of the promised land of Israel, he mentions Zoar:
"And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar." (Deuteronomy 34:3)
And hundreds of years later the city was still in existence during the days of the prophets:
"My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives [shall flee] unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction." (Isaiah 15:5)

"From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh, [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate." (Jeremiah 48:34)

These texts prove that Ellen White contradicted the Bible. Zoar was not destroyed and the promise made to Lot to preserve the city was fulfilled.