Seven churches

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M. M. NINAN
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Rev 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
In the midst of plenty and abundance Jesus says he will rebuke and discipline so that they
may bring forth repentance. Rebuke and disciplining in the lives of Christians are meant to
produce repentance and growth. This gives us the insight for one of the reasons for pain
and suffering.
Heb 12:5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as
sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he
rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone
he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For
what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone
undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. :9 Moreover,
we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How
much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; 11 No discipline seems pleasant at
the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and
weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled,
but rather healed. 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of
God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,
just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
This famous verse is used to show that Jesus is knocking at the doors of human heart. So
he is. Why is it that Jesus the ruler of all creation standing outside and knock. He is the
ruler. He has all the authority over all his creations. But he will not impose his authority on
man’s heart. Every man is given freedom of choice. It is a freedom He has given at the
time of creation. In spite of all the evil that has come out this freedom, God is not going to
take it away. It is something God respects - even when it hurts to His core. God is not a
tyrant, nor man a victim. The reality of the incarnation and the cross is the statement of