Greetings everyone,
I pray that you and your family are well. I also want to thank people like Renita Pickett, Charlie Wells Sr., Abe Wells, John Wells, Jesse Wells, Louis Wells, Welton Dufour, David Enos, my ASAC 4-95 class (David Willis, Tom Romero, LaKeshia Swatrz, Paul Oberle, etc) and many other service men and women who sacrificed their lives in order for people like me to serve. This does not mean that they are all deceased, but I think about the hard work my wife and family members and colleagues endured for our ability to worship Christ. I am eternally grateful.
Over the years I have gained knowledge, discernment, and the ability to acknowledge, my faults, sins and learned the importance of repentance. I am full of so much joy, emotions and words that I would like to share with you regarding the Word of God. However, I believe that based on the times, we need to stop sugar coating what's happening around us and accept that the devil is trying his best to move in on God’s territory.
I am sure that today alone, you have witnessed the advance and villainous acts of ISIS, the number of deaths, non-police related, that Baltimore over the weekend, the actions which occurred in Cleveland, OH, and the weather patterns in and around Texas. We have to recognize and admit, that although you desire to search for a human answer to these things and you are looking for someone to blame, STOP! It is time that we take God at His Word and pay attention, humanism is not the answer, neither is any other "ism". These things can not get you to eternal life and they cannot save you from death. "6 Jesus replied, a “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. b No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have known me, you will know my Father too. a And from now on you do know him and have seen him.” (NET_LM)"
It is the above verses from John14:6-7, that will separate the "Wheat from the chaff", verses such as these have and will continue to divide man from each other and those who believe in Christ. To the Church of Laodicea, Jesus told John to write the following letter. Please read the scriptures below:
Book: Revelations Chapter 3; According to "Insight for Living.org", Who wrote the book? The author of Revelation mentioned his name, John, four times throughout the book (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the book’s author as John the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of Patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in Asia. Some traditions say that the Romans dropped John into a vat of boiling oil, but when the apostle did not die, they instead banished him to the barren rock of Patmos. The title of the book, Revelation, comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling or a disclosure of something as yet unknown. This title is certainly appropriate for the book, a work so interested in making known the events of the future.
Where are we? The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation around the year AD 95 from his exile on the island of Patmos. He addressed his work to seven Asian churches—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Because John worked in Ephesus for so many of his later years, it would have been natural for him to communicate this vision to the churches under his immediate care and influence. Each of those seven churches received a message directed specifically to them (chapters 2 and 3) before John launched into his account of the future which he received in his vision from God.
Why is Revelation so important? The book of Revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time (chapters 4–18). The tribulation will be a time of judgment, a time when those left on the earth after the rapture will suffer deeply for their nonbelief. John pictured this judgment as a series of twenty-one events—inaugurated by the breaking of seven seals, the blowing of seven trumpets, and the pouring out of seven bowls. This grand judgment on the sinfulness of humanity shows the seriousness with which God views sin—payment will be exacted from those not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
- See more at: http://www.insight.org/resources/bible/revelation.html?referrer=http://www.bing.com/search?q=who%20wrote%20revelations%20and%20why%20insight.org%20&go=Submit&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=who%20wrote%20revelations%20and%20why%20insight.org%20&sc=1-30&sp=-1&sk=#sthash.7j25I4lt.dpuf
Revelations 3: 14- 22; 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of Gods creation:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! 19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! 20 Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. 21 I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Matthew Henry Commentary: Revelation 3 - Vs. 14- 22. Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, "The Amen;" one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing. Christ expects men should be in earnest. How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment! A severe punishment is threatened. They would give a false opinion of Christianity, as if it were an unholy religion; while others would conclude it could afford no real satisfaction, otherwise its professors would not have been heartless in it, or so ready to seek pleasure or happiness from the world. One cause of this indifference and inconsistency in religion is, self- conceit and self- delusion; "Because thou sayest." What a difference between their thoughts of themselves, and the thoughts Christ had of them! How careful should we be not to cheat our owns souls! There are many in hell, who once thought themselves far in the way to heaven. Let us beg of God that we may not be left to flatter and deceive ourselves. Professors grow proud, as they become carnal and formal. Their state was wretched in itself. They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich. They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it. They had not the garment of justification, nor sanctification:they were exposed to sin and shame; their rags that would defile them. They were naked, without house or harbor, for they were without God, in whom alone the soul of man can find rest and safety. Good counsel was given by Christ to this sinful people. Happy those who take his counsel, for all others must perish in their sins. Christ lets them know where they might have true riches, and how they might have them. Some things must be parted with, but nothing valuable; and it is only to make room for receiving true riches. Part with sin and self- confidence, that you may be filled with his hidden treasure. They must receive from Christ the white raiment he purchased and provided for them; his own imputed righteousness for justification, and the garments of holiness and sanctification. Let them give themselves up to his word and Spirit, and their eyes shall be opened to see their way and their end. Let us examine ourselves by the rule of his word, and pray earnestly for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts. Sinners ought to take the rebukes of God's word and rod, as tokens of his love to their souls. Christ stood without; knocking, by the dealings of his providence, the warnings and teaching of his word, and the influences of his Spirit. Christ still graciously, by his word and Spirit, comes to the door of the hearts of sinners. Those who open to him shall enjoy his presence. If what he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will supply a rich one. He will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts. In the conclusion is a promise to the overcoming believer. Christ himself had temptations and conflicts; he overcame them all, and was more than a conqueror. Those made like to Christ in his trials, shall be made like to him in glory. All is closed with the general demand of attention. And these counsels, while suited to the churches to which they were addressed, are deeply interesting to all men.
Family, we have some choices to make.People from both sides, conservative and liberal will have you believe that political correctness and tolerance is the answer, some would also have you believe that there is no wrong or wright. They are concerned about feelings and that people should have the right to do whatever they want and love whoever they want. This is great as long as no one gets hurt. Freedom is more important than a relationship with Christ. I pray that you chose Christ. I want to leave this discussion open and let the Word of God linger with you. I pray that one day we can start a dialogue and face the truth.
