Revelation (often,) “To him who overcomes.”

Jesus calls us, his followers, “overcomers.”  Each of the seven churches is reminded of the fact that they are in a struggle and are encouraged to overcome.

What does “overcome” mean? It means, certainly, that each believer is in a battle, like a contest.  It implies struggle, fortitude, faith and many other virtues.  It reminds us that life in Christ is a constant life-long struggle. It is not enough to begin to fight the battle but to battle all our lives, until we will be with the Lord forever.  So, let us not be deceived into thinking that followers of Christ have no struggle.  Just as Jesus confronted Satan so do we as Jesus empowers us to do so.

I have, personally, never heard of a follower of Jesus declare, “Since I was saved I have no struggles.”  Salvation is the door to a life-time of struggle.  In fact the Apostle Paul goes so far as to tell us what armor is ours and what weapons. Jesus never intended that his followers live lives of ease, free of all spiritual enemies, far from it.

Having noted the repetitions of the determination to overcome we note that rewards for overcoming are appropriate. Here are a few.

“I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”  2:7

“He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” 2:11

“To him who overcomes, I will give some hidden manna.”  2;17

“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.”  2:26

“He who overcomes will…be dressed in white.  I will never blot out his name from the book of life.”  3:5

“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God…I will also write on him the name of my God.” 3:12

“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.” 3:21

As I understand it, the followers of the Lamb do not follow to obtain a reward.  Victory over Satan is reward enough. But God, in his mercy, surprises us with what he will give to overcomers!  We have just now read a short list.  Really?  Yes.