THE SEVEN (7) PROMISES OF CHRIST TO THE OVERCOMERS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCES

POWERED BY:

THE CHURCH OF LIVING GOD MINISTRY

TCLGM - MAKING PEOPLE CANDIDATES OF HEAVEN

TCLGM - THE PLACE WHERE BIBLE REIGNS SUPREME

PREFACE

This book was born out in one of our Sunday’s Bible discourses whiles I was teaching on the topic ‘The Prizes of a Christian’. One of the study references texts pointed and led to the title of this book.

I hope to deal directly with our effort in the Lord, that the Word of God assures us of many good things including ‘The Promises of Christ to the Overcomers’ in the Lord.

Thus this book is presented by the Church of Living God Ministry to encourage us to fight the good fight to the extreme of reaching the ultimate goal.

THE SEVEN (7) PROMISES OF CHRIST TO THE OVERCOMERS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCES

The Lord Jesus Christ made numerous of promises and assurances to His followers. Some include eternal life, seated at His right hand, being fishers of men etc. Mat 19:29. The ones which are our most concern are the promises He made to the Overcomers.   

The root word for Overcomer is‘overcome’ which is the verb form.

And the dictionary meaning of the word Overcome is: ‘To defeat someone or something; to succeed in a struggle against them or it; to deal successfully with them or it’.

Therefore the overcomers (noun) have defeated what was against them. They are victorious over the enemy. They are the champions in the race and a triumphant people in the battlefield.

The Bible describes who these overcomers are; they are Christians who have won the race and are declared conquerors through Jesus Christ. Rom 8:37, 1 Cor 15:57  

(1). Apostle Paul description of Overcomer to the church at Corinth proves this: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beat the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Cor 9:24-27

(2). A similar explanation from Paul of how this victory is achieved is mentioned in 2 Tim 2:3-5: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that war entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully”

 
(3). 1 John 2:14 says “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abide in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one”

(4). 1 John 5:4-5 explains who those overcomers are: “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcome the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God”

 
Let us know the Seven Promises the Lord Jesus made to the Overcomers and their Significance.

#1.  REVELATION 2:7  
To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

This promise made to the overcomer here should remind us of our first earthly parent Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Gen 2:4-25; 3:22-24

God intention to create mankind was to place man in a very blissful home, and for man to have in abundance of many good things. And so God was always present with man. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” Gen 3:8

 Man was indeed the crown of all God creations.

Ps 8:5 says: “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour”

 But the sin of man crashed all this great precious environment of hope, joy and peace and man was drove out of the garden.

Now for Christ to make this very great a promise to those overcomers in the Lord shows the love of God to humankind and the restoration of man back to his original place of home.

Thus the promise to the overcomer here was associated with the tree of life and paradise of God.

 (1). The Tree of Life:
In the garden, the tree of life was provided to cure (avert, an antidote, a bailout, a therapy) the death state of man and or the separation of man from God. But God prevented man from touching the tree. Gen 3:22-24.

We can have access to this tree if we remain obedient to the Lord by keeping His commandments. “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” Rev 22:14

To this overcomer, Christ proved himself as the only antidote to man’s spiritual deadness. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever live and believe in me shall never die” John 11:25-26, John 14:6

(2). The Paradise of God:
This is the third time the New Testament has made references to paradise.

(1). Christ assured the robber on the cross in Lk 23:43 “Verily I say unto thee, Today shall thou be with me in paradise”

(2). Paul attested to that fact: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows; such an one caught up to the third heaven. And …such a man was caught up into paradise…” 2 Cor 12:2-4

(3). Refer to our study text. Therefore paradise is synonymous to Heaven, the permanent abode of God.

 This promise explains to us the absolute life the overcomer will forever enjoy in Heaven.

 
#2.  REVELATION 2:11 
He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

This is the second promise Christ Jesus made to those who will overcome. Here the triumphant christian (overcomer) escapes the second death.

The Word of God mentions two different forms of deaths and resurrections.

 
(1). The First death:
This death occurs as a result of the sinful act of man. As our first parent, Adam and Eve died spiritually before God immediately they committed such an act of disobedience, so when sin enters into our lives we similarly die spiritually.

Sin has the power to render us sick, kill and separate us from God. Gen 2:16-17, Isa 59:1-2; 1 Cor 11:28-30; Rev 3:1-2, 17, Eph 2:1

In Christ we receive life abundantly, outside Him we have death hovering over our heads. Paul said: “But she that live in pleasure is dead while she lives” 1 Tim 5:6, Rom 6:23

This form of death is also called Spiritual Death.

 
(2). The First Resurrection:
We receive resurrection from this first state of death only if we repent of our past sins and are baptized into Christ. John 3:36; 5:24, 1 John 3:14

 (1). Paul explains this form of resurrection and how it occurs:

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him , that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead die no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” Rom 6:4-13

 
The Christian who walks and remain faithful in this state of resurrection have dominion over second death. John 5:24

(2). In Revelation 20:4-6 it explains further this type of resurrection.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and forthe word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”

This type of resurrection is what we normally refer to as Being Born Again or New Creature. John 3:1-12, 2 Cor 5:17

(3). The Second Death:
The Bible explains what this second death means. It is the Lake of Fire and Brimstone; the everlasting torment of the wicked, the final separation of man from God.

 
(1). “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” Rev 20:10-14.

 
(2). Rev 21:8 says “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”

(4). The Second Resurrection:
This form of resurrection is the physical coming back to life of both the just and unjust from the graves, which will take place at the second coming of Christ. In other words it is the final resurrection of the dead at Judgment day.

(1). Jesus Christ first pronounced it: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself…Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” John 5:25-29. Read also Acts 24:15

(2). Apostle Paul’s words of comfort to the Thessalonians explain further this type of resurrection and when it will occur: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive andremain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are aliveand remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” 1 Thess 4:13-18

 
Compare 1 Cor 15:50-56 “...In a moment, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed….”

The significance of this promise is that the overcomer isregistered as a citizen of Heaven. He has no condemnation of death. He has passed from death to life. Rom 8:1-2, 1 John 3:14

#3.  REVELATION 2:17
To him that overcomes 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 know saving he that receive it.

The third promise Christ made to those who overcome is of much importance to us. The overcomer is assured to eat of the hidden manna, receives white stone and on that stone a new name is inscribed on it.
 
(1). The Hidden Manna:
God’s providence and care gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness free of charge. The manna was a form of food to sustain and strengthen them during their emancipation of slavery. Exo 16:11-31, Ps 105:40. The manna that fell from heavens stopped falling when the people of Israel entered the promise land.

In other words, for the followers of Christ to have full sustainability in the pilgrimage of Christianity, Christ declared himself as the Manna (Bread of Life) in John 6:31-35: “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and give life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am thebread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst”

 (2). White Stone & A New Name:
In many of ancient Tribunal Courts, white stones were given as a verdict of acquittal and discharge while black stones represent guiltiness.

Here Christ indicated to the overcomer his acquittal from his past sins and releases him to walk in a newness of life as an obedience child of God. Thus a new name was engraved on the stone. Rom 4:7-8; 6:4; 8:1; 1 Pet 4:12-16, Eph 2:19. 

For the Lord to make this great promise to the overcomer tells of Christ abundance provision of care and acceptance of His people as indeed royal sons into the kingdom of God. Thus the hidden manna and inscription of a new name on such white stone are mentioned.

#4.  REVELATION 2:26-28
And he that overcomes, and keep 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”

 The fourth promise to the overcomer is another precious and wonderful one.

(1). Power over Nations:
In this text the ‘nations’ are not the physical nations, but rather a figure of speech used to refer ‘the evil works of this world’. Jam 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17.

The ‘power over’ also suggests total dominion, a king, a ruler, victorious, a master of, champion over people, places or something.

The ‘rod of iron’ shows the symbol or the staff of authority (ie our faith in Christ) John 1:12

In simple terms the faithful christian who overcomes is made ruler, a master with absolute authority over sin, the world and the devil, the architect of sin by his staunch faith in Christ.

The Word of God elaborates on this power of domination.

(1). Christ explains this domination in Lk 11:21-22: “When a strong man armed keep his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he takes from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divide his spoils”

(2). Listen to Apostle Paul explanations: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” Rom 6:16-18

Compare Rom 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

(3). Peter’s meaning of this dominion: “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” 2 Pet 2:19.

We are not given power over nations literally, but spiritually we rule and have dominion over nations (ie evil works of the world)

1 John 4:4 says “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”

(2). The Morning Star:
The Lord Christ made it clear that He is the morning star “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and theoffspring of David, and the bright and morning star” Rev 22:16

Compare 2 Pet 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shine in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”

It is significant for Christ to make such promise to us because He is:

(1). ‘the Overcomer’
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” John 16:33

(2). ‘the Light of the world’
“Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” John 8:12; 9:5

 
#5.  REVELATION 3:5
He that overcomes, 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.

Let us digest the significance of this promise Christ made to the overcomer.

 (1). White Raiment:
The nature of sin is such that it dents and soils our cloths of life to the extreme of making us naked in the eyes of God, as it did happen to Adam and Eve and the Prodigal Son. Gen 3:10, Lk 15:22, Rev 3:17.

When we humbly accept Christ and are baptized, He clothes us with new garment of righteousness and purity. Gal 3:27, Rev 3:18. Refer Gen 3:21.

(1). Rev 19:8 reads: “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”

(2). Prophet Isaiah once said: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with thegarments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decked himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorn herself with her jewels” Isa 61:10

(3). Zechariah 3:3-5 typically explains this point. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by”

(2). The Book of Life:
It is the register book of God in heaven which contains all the names of the saints, both dead and the living. Phil 4:3, Rev 20:12

The name of the faithful child of God is enrolled into it and is fully secured in the Lamb’s Book of Life, because he:

(1). Overcome the world by keeping the word of God to the end. Phil 4:3

(2). Did not worship the beast. Rev 13:8

(3). Never add to or subtract from the scriptures. Rev 22:19

For that matter Christ deemed it prudent to mention his name to His angels and the Father.

This promise was the same as the initial promise Christ made and assured His disciples.

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels” Lk 9:26

#6.  REVELATION 3:12
Him that overcomes 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.

The sixth promise of Christ to the overcomer here is one of the greatest promises ever made. We will try to decipher its importance in the light of the scriptures.

The promise speaks about Christ Jesus making the overcomer a pillar in the New Jerusalem.

(1). The New Jerusalem:
The concept of this new city is not strange to the Bible. But most people misinterpret and twist the scriptures to mean a new kingdom of Christ to be physically established on this earth for thousand years. This theory is called ‘Pre-millennialism’. The Word of God made no such claim. The New Testament makes it clear what the New Jerusalem stands for; it is the Church of God.

Below are few points to back our claim:

In Revelation 21:1-10 it reads “…And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and betheir God…. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God”

 1. (a) The New Jerusalem is prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Vs. 2

    (b) The Church of God at Corinth is described as chaste virgin espoused to her husband. 2 Cor 11:2

2. (a) This city is also referred to as the tabernacle of God and the temple of God, for God shall be with His people. Vs. 3, Rev 3:12

    (b) Paul assured the church of God which is at Corinth that if they remain pure, then God shall be with them. “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” 2 Cor 6:16

3. (a) The city is referred to us the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Vs. 10

    (b) Paul descriptions of the church of Christ at Ephesus depict the church as (bride, wife) being married to Christ (the Lamb, husband) in Eph 5:22-32: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, solet the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife love himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourish and cherish it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church”

4. (a) The great city, the holy and new Jerusalem which comes down from God. Vs. 11

    (b) Heb 12:22-23 show us that as Christians we have received and are in that city now, and not some future years.

“But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect”

(2). Pillar in the Temple of God:
The strength of every building depends on its solid foundation and pillars. In like manner the church of Christ is well built on a strong foundation and hangs on grounded pillars. Eph 2:20 reads: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”  

Thus the apostles were seemed to be pillars in the temple of God. Gal 2:9.

For us Christians are the temple of God. 2 Cor 6:16, 1 Cor 3;16-17; 6:19-20. 

This promise indicates to us how the christian (overcomer) is made strong and unmovable in the church of the living God. 1 Tim 3:15

 
#7.  REVELATION 3:21
To him that overcomes 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.

The seventh and the final promise of Christ to the overcomer carry a weight of importance. The connection of this promise is linked to the answer the Lord gave to James and John, the sons of Zebedee in respect to their request. “…But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared” Mk 10:35-40.

Another Christ answer to Peter’s cry point also to this fact;

Matthew 19:27-30 record this conversation: “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold,we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that arefirst shall be last; and the lastshall be first”        

Truly to be seated with Christ on His throne is solely and duly reserved for the Overcomer.

Promises of such nature suggest a promotion, rulership, a royalty, a sonship authority of eternal glory we share with Jesus Christ. Rom 8:17, Ps 75:6-7.

As the true believer who overcomes was made king and ruler in the fourth promise of Christ, so a throne is provided for him to rule on spiritually in the kingdom of Christ here in the last promise. John 18:36, Rev 1:6.

The significance of this promise is the element of ‘Throne’ mentioned here which completely indicates that we indeed reign and sit on this seat with Christ in our hearts now. Gal 4:7

CONCLUSION:
All the above points listed conclude that those promises of Christ to the Overcomers were indeed made to the True Triumphant Christians.
 
The Father of light in Him there are neither variations nor shadow of turning unequivocally stated: “He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” Rev 21:7

Yeah, for those of such faithful children of Christ who overcome, victorious in the battle and are champions in the race, the conquerors receive those promises as: 

1. “An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven.…ready to be revealed in the last time” 1 Pet 1:4-5. 

2. “Exceeding great and precious promises” 2 Pet 1:4.