July 6, 2021

The history of God’s dealings with men are great lessons of incalculable value containing admonishments, examples, warnings, and encouragements that apply directly to my personal life and future, if I will sincerely yield myself to be taught by the Holy Spirit. Jacob, whose name meant deceiver, wrestled with God Who changed his name to Israel meaning Overcomer with God (Genesis 32:28).  He was never the same, glory to God!  From the Hebrew of the Old Testament to the Greek of the New Testament, we hear the encouragement of the ultimate Overcomer — Jesus! — as He declares:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33  

 Those of us who daily choose to follow Him also become “Overcomers”!  Beloved, we are all in terrible need of encouragement and endurance. The urgency of our need will only increase between now and the close of fallen earth’s history. Below is a list of promises from the lips of Jesus to His faithful followers found in Revelation chapters 2&3.  It is vital to note that the seven letters are to all of His professed followers, but the promises are conditional: only for those who yield fully to His power to overcome sin. Challenge yourself to meditate upon these promises, as they beautifully reflect the Lord’s intention for you:

 “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. (2:7)

 “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (2:11)

 “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name which no one knows except him who receives it.” (2:17)

 “And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.....as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.” (2:26-28)

 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (3:5)

 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”   (3:12)

 “To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.” (3:21)