Seven churches

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M. M. NINAN
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only apostle who died of old age and a natural death. This echoes the prophecy of Jesus
in John 21:22
John 21:22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you? You must follow me."23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that
this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I
want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
I presume that the implication is that if the intermediate church age was not ushered in
Jesus would have been on the earth by A.D. 100.
John could have certainly written, "I, John, the Apostle of Jesus, whom Jesus loved most
and Rt. Rev. Yohannes, The Arch Bishop of the Great Bishopric of Asia Minor." No. He
writes "I John, your brother."
This difference shows how early church was built not on human authority or clerical
autocracy. Christians as a whole was under a severe persecution and there was no
special credence for a Bishop as there were no code of behavior in war in this battle. As in
the times of John we are all partakers of three things.
1. Tribulation. All Christians will have tribulation.
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
2. Kingdom. We all have the citizenship of a Kingdom which is not of the World, but in this
world.
Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the
kingdom."
3. Patience. This is the result of the first two:
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Having identified the visionary, the circumstances of the vision is presented now: