2 Peter 2: "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."
Jude 1:7 In a similar way, 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.
Sodom & Gomorrah are an example of what will happen to those who ultimately and persistently reject Christ.
Now, the question is, does God do the burning? Does God create "the lake of fire" - i.e., "fire and brimstone" that destroys the wicked?
What cities perished in the fires?
Deut 29:23 "the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in fierce anger."
Notice that four cities were overthrown:
1] Sodom
2] Gomorrah
3] Adamah
4] Zeboiim
But why does God attribute these calamities to His doing?
Go to Luke 9:51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He (Jesus) steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53
But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "
Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said,
"You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.
IF God came to save sinners, then why would He destroy them?
Go to Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also
gave them up....
So God's anger can be described as His reluctant departure from those who persistently reject Him. Why do I say reluctant? Well, did Jesus destroy the Samaritans because they would not receive Him? No!
Then why does He give those who persist in unbelief up? Because God's love cannot force or coerce. He never abandons anyone out of human anger.....Therefore divine anger is the reluctant departure from those who reject Him.