OVERCOMERS

 by Dr. Hank Lindstrom

     Repeated blessings are promised in the Bible for "overcomers."  Who is the "overcomer"?  Oftentimes believers are confused as to whom these blessings belong because they do not know "Who is the overcomer?"

     Who is the overcomer?  The overcomer is the truly born-again-one, who has been redeemed through faith in Christ's blood.  What I am saying is that all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are the overcomers in the Bible.

     Presently, there is only one perfect overcomer.  He could say, "I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne (Revelation 3:21)."  All other overcomers are such by virtue of their position in Him.  Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)."

     Please notice I John 5:4-5, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  Notice how the overcomer is he that has been born again.  This is an automatic experience that takes place at the moment of salvation for the individual who puts his trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour.  There is no other way a man or a woman can become an overcomer.

     Faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour not only makes us God's children, but overcomers as well.  The day we trusted Christ was a day of victory for the Christian, because it was the day we overcame the world.  "But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57)."

     John comments further on the subject of overcoming.  "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4)."  Look also in Revelation 12:11, "And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."

     Unfortunately, many have been blinded to think works are a part of salvation.  These individuals often think that an overcomer is one who overcomes on the basis of works.  God says that is impossible, (Matthew 19:26), because our most righteous works are as filthy rags, (Isaiah 64:6).  All are sinners, (Romans 3:23), and none have kept God's laws, (John 7:19); therefore, we need a Saviour.  Jesus alone can save (John 14:6).

     Seven wonderful blessings are promised in Revelation chapters two and three to those who have overcome.  (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26-29; 3:5,12,21.)

     One: "...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)."  The paradise (heaven) of God and the tree of life will be shared by all who are in Christ.  All believers will enter heaven and will be given the privilege of eating of the tree of life.

     Two: "...He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Revelation 2:11)."  We learn that to be cast into the lake of fire, the eternal hell, is the second death.  "And death and hell (Hades) were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death (Revelation 20:14)."  The believer in Jesus Christ has the wonderful promise that he will never go to hell.  Hell is a place where unbelievers "...Shall be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10)."  Praise the Lord the believer will never go to hell.

     Three: "...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I 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)."  Evidently a brilliant diamond will be given to each believer with a new heavenly name inscribed upon it, also, the privilege of eating of the manna that God once fed the children of Israel in the wilderness.

     Four: "...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)."  A distinction must be made between salvation and reward.  For being an overcomer (believer), the promise is, "I will give him the morning star."  Jesus Christ becomes ours just as we are his, and reward is promised for service to Christ--such as power over the nations.

     Five: "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)."  This is the promise of a garment of salvation to every believer.  Isaiah 61:10 says, "...for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness."  Also God promises your name will never be taken out of the book of life.  The names that are erased are names belonging to those who were never saved by trusting Christ as Saviour.  This book was well known to Moses as containing the names of both the forgiven and the unforgiven--the believer and the unbeliever.  Moses was willing to forfeit his eternal life for those who as yet were not forgiven.  He prayed, "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written (Exodus 32:32)."  If you die as an unbeliever, then God will blot out your name.  If you are a believer, your name will never be blotted out.

     Six: "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 the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name (Revelation 3:21)."  The promise of an integral permanent part in the working of God for the believers is given to those that overcome.

     Seven: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne...(Revelation 3:21)."  This last and final promise is ruling with the Lord Jesus Christ in His throne.

     Are you an overcomer?  Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, all seven of these promises are yours!