In each of the seven letters to the churches, Jesus speaks to “him that overcometh”. John wrote in his first epistle that we overcome when we are born again through faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4-5). Praise God! However, our faith must be active and exercised, daily, so that it’s strong enough, if necessary, to endure suffering and even death at the hands of those who would persecute us for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10). In other words, just as Jesus overcame the world by going obediently to the cross, we, too, need to have great strength of faith should we be called to be a witness (martyr) for Christ through our death.
In his final letter to the seven churches, Jesus gives an incredible promise, that those who overcome will sit with him on his throne. As Paul writes in his second epistle to Timothy:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12)
And in the Book of Revelation itself, there are four instances of the saints reigning with Christ:
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 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, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6)
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10)
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 for the 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. (Revelation 20:4)
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. (Revelation 20:6)
Amen, and Amen!
This is the twelfth verse image in our ongoing series from the Book of Revelation. See here for all images in the series.
Revelation 3 Audio
Revelation 3:14-22 (Letter to the church in Laodicea)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 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.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
