Humans must overcome in order to have the right to receive the mantle of Jesus’ righteousness. The big question was simply what there was to overcome. This is especially true in the face of the sometimes completely contradictory messages of the major churches.
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Messages to the Seven Churches
John was asked to write a letter to each of the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. In addition to the message of Jesus, the revelation itself, each church was addressed with an individual message (Info).
Ephesus
John concluded by writing to the church in Ephesus:
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Smyrna
To the church in Smyrna, which received only praise, no blame, and much encouragement, John wrote:
“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)
Pergamus
The apostle told the church in Pergamum:
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:17)
Thyatira
Much more admonition went to the church in Thyatira:
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.” (Revelation 2:26-28)
Sardes
The church in Sardis was admonished with the following sentences:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
Philadelphia
John spoke the following words to the church in Philadelphia:
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:12)
Laodizea
Laodicea, the last of the seven churches, also received an outlook (Info):
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
Summary of the consequences of overcoming
Each church received a glimpse of what awaits the one who overcomes. However, this does not apply to individual church members, but universally. It would make no sense if only the church members in Smyrna were spared the second death, but not the others.
- Right to the Tree of Life
- Man will not suffer the second death (final death)
- Right to the manna and a new name on a white stone
- Standing above the Gentiles (confirming God’s judgments), receiving the glory (“Morning Star”)
- Receiving the righteousness of Jesus, being defended by Jesus Christ, and being known
- Being marked as righteous
- Sitting with Jesus on His throne
What is actually supposed to be overcome?
The crucial question now is what “overcoming” means, or rather, what must be overcome. Fundamentally, the world must be overcome. This doesn’t mean that one has to completely separate oneself from society, which is hardly possible anyway. Having to leave the planet would be pure utopianism. The difference lies between “being in this world” and “being of this world.”
It is important not to follow, and thus overcome, the increasingly decaying morals, the increasingly questionable values, as well as the secular and ecclesiastical traditions that increasingly distance themselves from the Gospel. The result of these secular practices almost routinely leads to the transgression of God’s law (10 Commandments) and thus inevitably to sin..
It is precisely this aspect that underlies the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, which is opposed to the Gospel and has long since been largely adopted by the former Evangelical Lutheran churches. The key phrases often heard and read in this context are “common good, brotherhood, and the human family.” When the churches speak of “humanity and charity,” they do so based on Hellenistic natural law, not on charity according to the Gospel. Humanism, which is ultimately a religion, is increasingly replacing the Word of God.
Call to Separation
There is a difference between living side by side and living together. Living side by side has nothing to do with hostility. But one must not, and certainly should not, walk together with those who trample on God’s laws. Paul also had similar admonishing words to the church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 6:14; 17-18:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.“
The People of Israel Set an Example
A rebellion had already taken place among the people of Israel while they were still wandering in the desert. Korah, from the tribe of Levi, led a group that opposed Moses and Aaron and rebelled against them and their leadership of the entire people. A kind of sub-community formed within the people. Among the rebels were Dathan and Abiram. God did not leave this unanswered and admonished Moses:
“Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. (Numbers 16:21)
The people gathered around Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were called to leave them and their shared tent. Not everyone heeded the request or warning. Judgment followed promptly. All three leaders and 250 others literally disappeared into the ground after it was torn open.
Jesus Christ showed how it works
Romans 12:21 provides a clear indication of what must be overcome. At the same time, it also provides the recipe for how to achieve this:
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.“
As a human being, Jesus Christ was the shining example of how and in what way the overcoming of sin and impurity can succeed. He is also the one who, through the Holy Spirit, enables people to follow this shining example. Paul explained this in Romans 8:37:
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.“
Who has loved us? John also answers this question in Revelation 1:5:
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,“
(Major) Churches Teach the Opposite
The absolutely necessary overcoming (sin, impurity) is in complete contradiction to what the local churches teach people. Their message is like sitting back and waiting carefree until the “saving angel” hands you the grapes to enjoy during your free ride to heaven. The main thing is to “love your neighbor” to do only what benefits the common good, and it all works out.
Nope! Because the right to the “Tree of Life” and the permission to enter through the gates into the new city of Jerusalem are granted only to those who have overcome!
Here lies the crux of the matter. For the “great message” today describes “the abolished law of God,” everything paid for and settled in a lump sum, regardless of how one lives one’s life. What, then, is there to overcome? What a mistake.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Revelation 22:14-15
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
