Reading: Revelation 21-22

Scripture

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:6-7

Observations

The word “overcome” features often in the book of Revelation, as well as in John's gospel and in his 1st letter. In Revelation, in the letters to the seven churches, the phrase, “To him who overcomes” occurs seven times, each time preceding a promise. In the final of these, in Revelation 3:21, Jesus promises, “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.”

Overcome: To get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat; to prevail over (opposition, temptation, a debility, etc); to gain the victory, win or conquer. Some verses:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5

Application

Life is not going to be easy. I might as well get used to the idea that the great struggle between good and evil features me. In my own everyday life, I will be challenged to overcome evil with good, to prevail over temptation and opposition, and to “conquer the world” by holding true to my faith. There is no room for giving up or being pathetic. But the strength and mental toughness I require to overcome evil with good comes not from being “hard”, or from my own great virtue or valour. Rather, it is founded on those intangible but eternal qualities of faith, hope and love. By these alone will I overcome and receive the very great rewards Jesus has promised to me, and to all who overcome.

Prayer

Jesus, I want be an overcomer, to walk in your footsteps and see evil being overcome by good. Your kingdom come, Lord Jesus. Please strengthen me for the challenges I face, and strengthen all your children who face opposition around the world. Grant them your favour, strengthen their faith, and fill them with the joy that comes from serving you.