610. The following needs to be added to what has been stated so far: Our regeneration does not happen in a moment. It gradually unfolds from the beginning all the way to the end of our lives in this world; and after this life is over, it continues and is perfected.

Because we are reformed through battles and victories against the evils of our flesh, the Son of Humankind says to each of the seven churches that gifts will be given to those who overcome. That is, to the church in Ephesus he says, "To those who overcome I will give [food] to eat from the tree of life" (Revelation 2:7). To the church in Smyrna he says, "Those who overcome will suffer no harm from the second death" (Revelation 2:11). To the church in Pergamos he says, "To those who overcome I will give the hidden manna to eat" (Revelation 2:17). To the church in Thyatira he says, "To those who overcome I will give power over the nations" (Revelation 2:26). To the church in Sardis he says, "Those who overcome will be clothed in white garments" (Revelation 3:5). To the church in Philadelphia he says, "Those who overcome I will make pillars in the temple of God" (Revelation 3:12). To the church in Laodicea he says, "To those who overcome I will grant to sit with me on my throne" (Revelation 3:21).

Let me also add the following as a final note: The more we are reborn, that is, the more the process of regeneration is perfected in us, the less we attribute anything of goodness and truth, or goodwill and faith, to ourselves; we attribute it all to the Lord. We are taught this very clearly by the truths that we keep drinking in.