[larrylyates]

Originally Posted by Lafon

Larry, before responding to your latest posting I would like to learn of your understanding of the words of Revelation 3:19 -

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

How does one know when they have been, or are being 'rebuked' of God?

How does one know when they have been, or are being 'chastened' by God?

In the event one has been 'rebuked' and 'chastened' of the Lord (apparently because of some type of unrighteousness which they are guilty of having committed), then through what 'means' does God cause that one to be made aware of it (i.e., supposing that the unrighteous act is one the offender is unaware of having committed), so that they might recognize their error, after which repentance can take place?

Please understand that I am not speaking of the Spirit 'checking' us when we commit a sinful deed, either prior to the act in an effort to assist us to recognize that the act we are about to commit is wrong, or even after we have done a sinful deed that we were unaware of its wickedness at the time it was committed, so that we can recognize our need to repent. I am speaking strictly of ignorant acts of omission (i.e., things we should have done but because of that inherent ignorance we're all born with, we simply don't recognize what we do as being evil).

Warmest Regards,
Lafon

Blessings and greetings, my friend.
Your question is a good one and must be dealt with as it goes to the heart of our discussion. We have actually touched on it indirectly already.

The Greek words translated "rebuke" and "chasten," are most instructive:

Rebuke
G1651 ἐλέγχω elegcho (el-eng'-kho) v.
1. to confute, admonish
[of uncertain affinity]
KJV: convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove

Chasten
G3811 παιδεύω paideuo (pai-dyoo'-o) v.
1. to train up a child, i.e. educate
2. (by implication) discipline (by punishment)
[from G3816]
KJV: chasten(-ise), instruct, learn, teach
(I am looking for some better software so I can use something other than Strong's )

I see it as closely related to the work of the Holy Spirit you reference. However, I assume you mean the more obvious cases of persistent resistance to that "check" or call to repentance. In that case, it seems to me that the Lord, "lifts" His hedge of protection. The result would be that we would then be open to the enemy. Sort of a situation where we are not so much punished for our sins as by them.

I have experienced a form of what you speak of, when the blessing of God was apparently absent from my life and all forms of misery took place. Only later through the Word or a message preached, did I realize my sin and repent.

I understand this to be more along the lines of God's permitting, rather than causing. Sort of like a smoker who gets lung cancer. Did God send the cancer as punishment or was it simply a natural and logical consequence of walking in sin? i have an accident because I am not experiencing the blessing and protection of God. God didn't cause the wreck to get my attention. I just wasn't under the hedge. I don't know if I am making sense here.

I go back to our previous verse, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" The word "reproof" here is the same as "rebuke' in Revelation. the word for "correction" indicates rectification and reformation.

Again, I come back to the assertion that it is the Word and the Holy Spirit that God uses to correct us. Our persistent refusal to submit to or recognize that correction removes the hedge and then the powers of darkness are free to move in. The results are things that steal, kill and destroy, rather than life and blessing.

Someone once said to me that my ignorance of the Word of God was no excuse. the results would be the same. Walk in sin and the hedge comes down. Natural and logical consequences. It took me years to understand that simple point and I experienced the results of my rebellion.

That's probably clear as mud. But, I hope it helps somewhat. Until next time...