Overcoming

This morning we talked about Revelation ch21, a beautiful chapter in a not-so-beautiful book. There was uneasiness as we spoke of overcoming, and what it means to be an 'overcomer'.

When you read below, you'll notice that in the letters to the churches (ch2 and 3), Jesus had 7 things to say to the overcomers. Outside of that, twice He reiterates what the overcomer will inherit.

(Rev 2:7) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To the one overcoming, I will give to him to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

(Rev 2:11) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. The one overcoming will not at all be hurt by the second death.

(Rev 2:17) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To the one overcoming, I will give him to eat from the hidden manna. And I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name having been written, which no one knows except the one receiving it.

(Rev 2:26) And the one overcoming, and the one keeping My works until the end, "I will give to him authority over the nations,"

(Rev 3:5) The one overcoming, this one shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not at all blot his name out of the Book of Life; and I will acknowledge his name before My Father, and before His angels.

(Rev 3:12) The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.

(Rev 3:21) The one overcoming, I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father in His throne.

(Rev 15:2) And I saw, as a glassy sea having been mixed with fire. And the ones overcoming the beast, and its image, and its mark, of the number of its name, were standing on the glassy sea, having harps of God.

(Rev 21:7) The one overcoming will inherit all things, and I will be God to him, and he will be the son to Me.


If you read the verses preceding these, Jesus outlines the issues that people needed victory over. Largely, these complaints are over 'works'.

(Rev 2:5) Then remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works. And if not, I am coming to you quickly, and will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

(Rev 3:4) You also have a few names in Sardis which did not defile their robes, and they shall walk with Me in white because they are worthy.

It seems works-based, doesn't it? That immediately makes us seem small, because we are almost to a "T" PATHETIC when it comes to living as our Savior lived. Walls go up. Hairs get raised, and people become defensive.

Mat 22:36-40
(36) Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?
(37) And Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Deut. 6:5
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18
(40) On these two commandments all the Law and the Prophets hang.

If we Love, then all else falls into place. If we Love, then we can overcome because Love wins. Remember Ephesus?

Rev 2:4
(4) But I have against you that you left your first love.

From Love comes good works. Don't stay mired up in the muck of the world - have a mind change! It's not about your strength, it's about God's. We cannot overcome by our own strength, but we can stay mired up by our own strength. Whether or not we 'want' to change is probably another post. Conversation about OVERCOMING is welcome.