Drugs

Today I would like to talk about drugs... How easily people want to justify taking drug, don't get me wrong I am not judging, as this has been one of the many things I've conquered only by God Mercy and the strength He gave me was I able to do it. I talked to someone one day about drugs and he said to me: "God made drugs so it O.K to use it". God also made poison Ivy and poisonous plant do you use them as well... really you cannot justify taking drugs in any way, shape or form....It always comes down to choices we have to make, the wrong one, the right one. Drugs cloud your judgement, make you do things you would not normally do some of them quite stupid I must say. In Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your bodyis the templeof the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"II Corinthians 6:16 "And ... So nobody can tell me that drugs is something God made for us to use and to abuse. They may have been made for a purpose that we are completely unaware of at this point, and they could have also been made as a test.. Something to think about...

If you had one letter left to write what would it be about and to whom would it go to?

If you had one letter left to write what would it be about and to whom would it go to?

Before I start writing I would like to take the time to thank the Lord for putting this idea in my heart. I pray that He will give me the wisdom to only put down what He would have me say. Father, I pray that You will guide my thoughts and my words as I write my letter, that it will reach many, and that they would want to know more about You and about Eternal Life. May they that there is only one way to Heaven and that it is through Jesus Christ, Your one and only begotten Son. Thank you Father.

Brief condensed version of: (1) Myself, (2) Issues that I believe and hold dear to my heart, and (3) The Book Revelation, my favourite.

In 2006 after breaking up with my common law partner, I rented a room from a friend. She would go to Bible Study on Saturday nights and come back so exited, that it peeked my curiosity and in the heat of the moment I said : “Maybe one of these days I’ll go”… I was just making conversation, not really thinking I would really go, after all it was on a Saturday… Next thing I knew I agreed to go the following Saturday and though I enjoyed the evening I only went on and off. It wasn’t until I went away for a couple of weeks that I realized how much I miss at not being there. After a while my friend told me she was going to be Baptized and the next thing I knew I was doing so as well. God knew He needed to get my attention and how to do it. He used my friend to get to me and I’m so grateful for that. What a mighty God we serve.

Even though I was raised as a Catholic, I was on my way to hell, I am so thankful for Jesus, my Saviour. He saved me from that.  Following are my issues:

Having to confess my sins to a priest, Where does it say we have to that in the Bible? Instead you will find in Matthew 26:28: “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus died for our sin to be forgiven and in Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament in ^{Numbers 14:19-20 “} Pardon, I pray You, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your mercy and loving-kindness, just as You have forgiven [them] from Egypt until now. ²⁰And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to your word.” All you have to do is confess your sins to God with a contrite heart and turn from you sins He is faithful to forgive you. WE ARE ALL SINNERS.  We were born sinners,  and only God can help you turn from your life of sins, but you have to make the first move.

Praying to the Virgin Mary, In Matthew 2:11- ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. They worshiped Him, not her.  What makes the Catholic Church teach that we should pray to the Virgin Mary?  She is not God and she had to earn her way to heaven the same way as anybody else. In Luke 1:28 the angel came in unto Mary, and said: “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”  Mary was blessed because she was used as the vessel to bring forth our Saviour, Jesus Christ; and for that reason we should give her respect but not worship. She cannot intercede to God for us, only Jesus can.

Going to Church:  I get so many people telling me that you don’t need to go to Church to be a Christian;  you just need to be a good person. In Exodus 20:8 “[Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God).”  Luke 4:31 31 “And He descended to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and there He continued to teach the people on the Sabbath days.”  Act 13:44 ^{44 “}The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning ^[k]the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].”  Mark 6:2 ^{2 “}And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue; and many who listened to Him were utterly astonished, saying, Where did this ^[a]Man acquire all this? What is the wisdom [the broad and full intelligence which has been] given to Him? What mighty works and exhibitions of power are wrought by His hands!”  That tells me that they gathered then as we should gather today to worship, pray, to hear the Word of God, and to dedicate that day to Him.

Who wrote the Bible and how do I know it to be the truth? I was asked that question a while back and could not think of a proper reply. ”Why didn’t I just say”… The Bible was written first of all in Hebrew and in Greek and translated to various versions. The Bible was written by saints (saved people) indwelled with the Holy Spirit; but the author was God. We think nothing of accepting our history books as truth of the way events happened in the past. So why is it so hard for so many to accept the Bible as a form of history book?  It tells of all that happened since the creation of the world. I know, you’re thinking, I don’t believe God created the earth, it was the “Big Bang”.  And well, even scientists are turning away from that kind of thinking. Someone once said to me that the universe was created with the big bang and my reply was: “Let’s say for argument’s sake that it happened that way, that the energy collided and created the universe.  Then tell me who put the energy there in the first place?  He could not find anything to say. Let me tell you, even though I was not saved then, that conversation upset me to no end. So I know now that God was working on me even then. To me the Bible is not just a history book, but a view of what’s to come. We have in front of us the outcome of this world and so many choose to ignore it. They say it will not happen; what is it they don’t accept, that John could have been told the future?  Yet those same people will go and see fortune tellers, tarot card and tea leaves readers and accept what they are telling them. All of this is wrong as well as going to medium, using witchcraft and sorcery.  They are from satan. As you will read in Leviticus 19:31 “‘do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God also in Leviticus 20:6 “‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.

Homosexuality is an abomination to God:  As it is written in Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”  I am not judging, just stating the Bible.  God will be the judge of us all. Now,  mediums,  sorcery, fortune telling, homosexuality, etc., etc., are some of the ways satan will use to ensnare them.  He also uses gambling, drinking, drugs and more. These habits could very well be the reasons why so many chose not to believe in the Bible; they would have to change their ways and they are not willing to do so. May God have mercy on them.

Faith: In Hebrews 11it says, “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation,) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see, and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].  For me, faith is believing no matter what - that what is written in the Bible is the truth. John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Believe that He is the only Begotten Son of God; that He died on the Cross for us; His blood is what redeemed us; that He was buried and on the third day was resurrected and ascended to heaven to be on the right hand of His Father as our mediator. He did it all to save us, and to redeem us so we can have eternal life with Him. Believe me, Jesus is returning one day and we will all be judged; don’t wait till it’s too late; repent now turn to Him now.

Rapture :  This means “Taken up”. If you have never heard of the rapture, it is when Jesus comes to first take the saint who have already died and then the saints that are on earth, to meet Him in the sky. Nobody knows when it will happen before, during or after the tribulation, but it will happen none the less. In Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  The Day and Hour Unknown, that tell us that the day of Jesus’ return is not known to anyone but God.  Should we not be prepared for that day, I believe that when that day comes, the believers will be Raptured (taken up to meet Jesus). Scripture to support the rapture:  In Matthew 24:40 “at that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴¹Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” In Luke 17:34: “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.    ³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  ³⁶Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”    1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!”  That is exactly what I am aiming for, to be with Jesus for eternity. So if I disappear suddenly or even when I die, do not mourn me, but be happy for me and look for your own salvation - turn to Jesus, turn to God. Believe me, there is a Heaven and there is a Hell,  Don’t choose the wrong one.

Signs of The Times: What we are to look for in the end days before Savior Jesus Christ returns as predicted in the Bible. Some of those are as follows: great earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes erupting, wars, rumours of war, pestilence. Oh I know what’s on your mind that these things has been happening from the beginning, but have they been happening as often or to the degrees we see them now?  They will keep happening and the severity will increase; and friends, we are not even in tribulation yet.  Just imagine what it’s going to be like then. We need to seek God, repent of our sins and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, who died on the cross, was buried and resurrected 3 days hence, and finally ascended to be on the right hand of His Father as our mediator.  He did all of that for us; to save and redeem us; and all we have to do is believe in Him, repent of our sins, and follow Him. What a mighty God we serve. Following are some scriptures that support what I’ve said: In Mark 13:7

‘and when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not get alarmed (troubled and frightened); it is necessary [that these things] take place, but the end is not yet.”  In Luke 21:11 “there will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.”  Mic 4:1-“IN THE LAST DAYS IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT THE MOUNTAIN OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS. 2 Tim 3:1-THIS KNOW ALSO, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME.”   And in ^{Matthew 24: 4-13 4}Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. ⁵For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [^[b]appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. ⁶And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet ⁷For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; ⁸All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the ^[c]birth pangs [of the ^[d]intolerable anguish]. ⁹Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. ¹⁰And then many will be offended and repelled and will ^[e]begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. ¹¹And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. ¹²And the love of ^[f]the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

Revelation: As I said in the beginning of my letter the last topic I wanted to let you know about is Revelation. Now this will be the end as we know it.  We will see the Antichrist come and deceive so many in believing that he is God. The Lord will also blind the wicked in not seeing who he is. The antichrist is the chosen one of satan, he will be possessed by satan and he will have with him the false prophets.  Both will create havoc on earth as never seen before. I pray that my short description of each chapter will want to make you read it for yourselves and in the process make you read the whole Bible. Revelation was from God to Jesus, who gave it to John, His bond servant  to give to us. Revelation is a book of sevens (perfection, completeness): - In chapters 2/3 we have the seven churches - In chapter 5 - the seven-sealed book - In chapter 6 - the beginning of the seven seals - In chapter 8 - the beginning of the seven trumpets - In chapters 12 and 13 - the seven personages - In chapter 16 - the seven vials - In chapters 17, 18, 19 - the seven dooms - In chapters 21 and 22 - the seven new things.

Chapter 1: Introduction. John is in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and he hears a voice like a trumpet telling him to write what he has seen, is seeing and will see. John is the writer of Revelation but not the author God is. He is asked to write to the churches of Asia. He sees the Son of Man in the mist of golden candlesticks (Churches of Asia). His hair is white as snow (righteousness, purity), eyes like flames (burning, penetrating, searching . . . exposing all sin and evil, no matter how thoroughly covered it may be) and seven stars in His hand (angels/messengers). Out of His mouth a two edged sword (His words will judge and destroy all wicked).

Chapters 2 and 3: We see the Church - God’s witness on earth - growing in its departure from truth and its first love, moving farther and farther from God until the Laodiceans are spewed out of His mouth and the true believers at Philadelphia are caught out to meet the Lord in the air.

Chapter 2: John writes to four churches John writes to the following Churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira. He knows their hearts, their weaknesses and what they need to do.

Chapter 3: john writes to the last three Churches, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. John writes on how they are getting further and further away from God from leaving their first love to Laodicea, which He spewed out of His mouth and of Philadelphia, the true believers who are caught out (up) in the air(rapture).

Chapters 4 and 5: We see the saints enthroned and glorified. Also read I Thessalonians 4:15-18 in connection with this division.

Chapter 4: God on His throne receives praises, about the twenty four chosen Elders and the four creatures covered with eyes front and back. One side is the head of a Lion, one the face like an ox, one the face of a man and the other the face of an eagle in flight. At all time they glorify God.

Chapter 5: The Lamb (Jesus) takes the sealed scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne – He is the only one that can open the scroll.

Chapters 6: We learn of the seven seals opened by the Lamb . . . the only One worthy to remove the seals from the Book.  

The first 6 seals:   1. White horse: Antichrist     2. Red Horse: The power to rob the world of peace     3. Black Horse: The rider has a scale in his hands - depicting how much things like food will cost    4. Pale (green) Horse: Death, given power over ¼ of the earth – by sword – famine – plague and the wild beast   5. The martyrs crying out for justice and told to wait a while longer for other to join them,                        6. Earthquakes, sun turns black, the moon turns red, stars fall from the sky, mountains and islands ripped from their bases.

Chapter 7: The 144,000 chosen 12,000 from each tribes are sealed – John sees a multitude of people from all nations, too many to count and is told that they are the survivors of the great tribulation period.

Chapters 8 and 9, chapter 11:15-19: We see the seven trumpets which are sounded by seven angels.

Chapter 8: 7^th seal is broken and the first four trumpets are sounded. 7^th seal there is a great silence in Heaven for 1/2 hour, 7 angels are given seven trumpets as follows:

1. There came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.                                                                                                                                  2. Something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures                 in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.                                                                                                                                                   3. A great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water - the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.                                                              4. A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

Chapter 9:

5. A star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star (Jesus) was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. (1^st woe)                                                                                  6. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." The four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. (2^nd woe).

Chapter 10: John saw a mighty Angel come down from Heaven, clothed with a cloud, this Angel is like the sun, feet of this Angel are as pillars of fire, and He has in His hand “a little book open.” He stands with one foot on the land and one on the sea-denoting universal ownership and authority. These seven facts testify that this Angel could be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the only One found worthy to open the book and to break the seals . The book is now open and in the hand of the Mighty Angel. Angel and 7 thunders cry out, John is told not to write what the 7 thunders are, (God’s judgment). God’s plan will be accomplished in full. John was asked to eat the little scroll - tasted sweet (victory), but turned bitter(because of suffering). He saw the measuring of the temple and the two witnesses.

Chapter 11: John measures the Temple, count of the worshipers, commission of the two witnesses to prophecy for 3- 1/2 years and fire comes from their mouth if anyone tries to harm them, they can stop the rain, turn water to blood, afflict plagues. When they are finished the wild beast will come from the abyss and wage war against them and kill them, their body will rest in street and no one will remove them and after three days they will rise and scare the one who sees them, violent earthquake where 1/10 of the city will be destroyed and 7,000 will die, the rest will repent.

7. There were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."( 3^rd woe) God opens the temple in Heaven and the Arc of Covenant can be seen, lightning, earthquakes and hailstorms.

Chapters 12 through 14: We see two actors (in chapter 13) and the seven outstanding results of their actions.

Chapter 12: The dragon persecuted the male child, a great sign appears, a woman with child clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of 12 stars on her head. Israel is the woman. The great dragon (murderous nature) waits for the child to be born so he can devour Him. A child is born, a son destined to rule all nations with an iron hand (Jesus Christ). He is taken up to God. (Jesus’ death).

There are four women mentioned in the book of Revelation:   1. Jezebel (Revelation 2:20) - representing the papal system.   2. The woman we are now discussing - Israel, God’s chosen people with earthly blessings.  3. The great harlot (Revelation 17:1) or the future apostate, corrupt church that will be in power after the Rapture of the true Church.   4. “The Bride, the Lamb’s wife” - the Church, glorified in the Pearly white City that John saw coming down from God out of Heaven. Satan will stay by the sea. This dragon has 7 crowned heads (concentration ` of earthly power and wisdom in his cruel ruling),10 horns (10 kingdoms to come). John sees the fight between Michael and satan when he was cast down to earth. The woman (Israel) will flee in the desert, satan will try to find her to destroy her and when he cannot he then stages war on the remaining people of God. God will protect His people and frustrate satan. Satan is restricted to earth during tribulation.

Chapter 13: The 7 headed beast (Antichrist) comes out of the sea, he is like a leopard, paws like a bear and a mouth like a lion – he is given power by the dragon (satan), people will worship him(the ones not written in the Book of Life), the unsaved. The mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead, those who refuse (saints, saved) will not be able to buy or sell.

Chapter 14: We see the 144,000 sealed ones on Mount Zion, God’s closing testimony to earth: “the everlasting Gospel”, the announcement that Babylon is fallen, the terrible doom of the Beast-worshippers, the blessedness of those who die in the Lord, the harvest of earth is reaped and the fullness of God’s wrath and vengeance is poured out There is so much blood, it is poured out for 200 miles and as deep as a horse’s bridle.

Chapters 15 and 16: We will study the seven vials of wrath poured out upon the earth. These vials are filled with the wrath of God in His dealings with Israel and this earth.

Chapter 15: The seven Angels who have the seven vials/bowls. These seven angels are filled with the full fury of God’s wrath, and they are ready to pour out this fury upon the earth. There are three numbered groups of angels mentioned in the book of Revelation:

l. Revelation 7:1 mentions four angels. 2. Revelation 8:2, 15:1 and 16:1 mention seven angels. 3. Revelation 21:12 mentions twelve angels.

Chapter 16: Angels pour out the bowls/vials on Earth as follows:   1. Ugly painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast    2. on the SEA and turned it into blood, and everything in it died      3. on the RIVERS and they became blood, and everything in them died. The Archangel cried - YOU are just! They deserve it because they have shed the blood of Your saints    4. poured out his bowl/vial on the sun, causing the sun to scorch men with fire. They were seared by the heat & cursed God & would not repent Sunspots & the Solar Cycle. The NASA website has a lot of info on the worst solar flares in recorded history. Solar flares, meteor showers, sunspots and an expected polar shift on the sun. www.SunspotCycle.com   5. poured out his bowl/vial on the throne of the Beast & his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men were in great pain, but still cursed God instead of repenting.    6. pour his bowl on The River Euphrates dried up, allowing the kings of the east to cross

Chapters 17 and 18: This section has to do with Babylon . . . the mystical Babylon in her political and ecclesiastical (church/religious/clerical/priestly) affairs in the closing days of time. We will see her utter destruction - both political and ecclesiastical.

Chapter 17: A woman(represent the soul of the Roman Empire)sits on a scarlet (finery, great wealth)beast( political and economic realities, The Beast is the ancient beastly Roman Empire) a 7 headed (7 mountains/hills on which the woman (Rome) sits enthroned 10 horned (10 kings not yet crowned)which the woman will rule. Also 7 kings 5 have fallen, 1 lives and one to come. They make war against the Lamb (Jesus)

Chapter 18: In this chapter, the Beast is not once named, nor do we find the ten kings mentioned. The chapter is given over entirely to the destruction of Babylon. Human agents disappear; the ruin of that awful system of corruption is the predominating theme of the entire chapter. Another great Angel comes to earth – Babylon falls, evil laments and saints rejoice.

Chapters 19: This section has to do with events from the fall of Babylon until the eternal state begins. It opens with rejoicing in Heaven . . . Hallelujahs that sound like “many waters,” and closes with the terrible picture of eternal misery in the lake of fire.

Chapter20: Heaven rejoices – satan bound – and Angel with a huge chain seizes the dragon and chains him for 1000 years – after which he will be release for a short time and all the saints who did not take the mark of satan live 1000 years with God.

Chapters 21: New Heaven, new earth. We will study the Bride of the Lamb (the New Testament Church). We will see the Bride and Bridegroom in the Millennium in its entire splendor. No more tears, pain, mourning, all living and dead are judged

Chapter 22: New paradise, Bible’s last message and the city of God.                                                                                              

I now pray that you will have been given just enough information to peek your curiosity and lead you to read the Bible for yourself, it is your choice to make, nobody can force you either way. But I do have to say that should you choose wrongly, then the time of Judgment comes you will not be able to say: “I DID NOT KNOW” May God richly bless you and give you strength to follow the right route.  I also give a special thank you to Pastor Raymond Moore for taking the time out of his busy schedule, to read and make all necessary corrections.  May God Bless him and keep him always focused on what his purpose is: to spread the word to all.  Thank you Father for what You are doing for me.  Amen and Amen.