Who Are the Overcomers?

If you've ever even just casually read through the first few chapters of Revelation, the term "he who overcomes" is repeated to each of the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Btw, a basic breakdown of the book is given to us in the 1st chapter. As Christ is talking with John, He says,

"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things (Rev. 1:19 NASB)."

Here's another way of looking at it in outline form:

A Basic Outline of the Book of Revelation
I. "Things you have seen (1, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ")"
II. "Things which are (2-3, the letters to the seven churches)"
III. "Things which will take place after these things (4-22)"

A Few Introductory Thoughts
Before I even get started, I have to clarify a few things. Because I'm reading the Scripture asking first what the author's intended meaning is (AIM), not my own, I have to look at these things as having yet to happen (4-22). There are dozens of ways to understand this often misunderstood and confusing book, but the easiest and most normal is to just read it as is: Literally. Usually you're told when something should be read otherwise (the use of "like" or "as", for example, but often Revelation will tell you what a symbol is as well).

That being said, I'm just going to look at the letters to the seven churches and specifically, what is promised to "those who overcome". I think this is an often forgotten and spiritualized piece of doctrine that needs to be reemphasized because of what it tells us about our identity in Christ. My thesis is that these overcomers are all believers in Christ from when the Church started. I don't want to write y'all a research paper on this, but know that I've done the work behind it and wouldn't mind showing y'all how I came to that conclusion, though I pray this post will suffice. I think it simply comes about if you're reading what John's being shown literally and especially if you're looking at the other things he makes clear in his other letter, 1 John.

Setting the Context
But first, what's this in context of? The promise of the overcomers are given in the letters Christ writes to the 7 churches. While I have no doubt that John is writing to literal churches that are actually around at his time, it seems best to view all of these churches as representing the body of Christ as a whole. What Christ says about each of them applies to the churches He's writing to, but it also overlaps and looks forward to those who will one day live with God the Father and Christ, God the Son, in perfection and in their glorified bodies:

"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will be My son (Rev. 21:7 NASB)."

Now, look at what's said next. There is being a contrast made between those who overcome and those who don't- And it's stark. Black and white. There are no inbetweens.

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8 NASB)."

It doesn't get much clearer than that! Overcomers recieve life, while those who aren't overcomers receive only death. You are either an overcomer or you are not. So, lets ask the question again:

Who Are the Overcomers?
John defines this in one of his previous books, 1 John. But, it's well defined there in Revelation 21 too, that's for sure!

"Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5 NASB)"

So, it seems clear that all believers are overcomers from these two verses (and from what's said about them in Rev 2-3). I want to paint what that looks like aside from the obvious implications of being saved from eternal death and damnation, and living with Him in eternity. But first, we are overcomers not because of anything we've done, but all because of what Christ has done (Eph. 2:8-9). He is the overcomer! I think this discussion plays into our earlier post on the Believer's identity in Christ, because we are in Him and being in Him means that we have died with Him and been raised to walk in Truth and Life (Gal. 2:20, 2 Peter 1:3, etc...).

Basically, He's given us life, and we are forever indebted to Him. We receive a lot of really awesome things by just believing in Him though. This doesn't mean we stop at what we receive however, or that we continue in sin, rather, "we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them (Eph. 2:10 NASB)." Our responsibility is to live "a thank you life" for all that He's done, doing all that we do for His Glory (1 Cor. 10:31).

To reemphasize, the overcomer is the believer in Christ. He didn't do anything to receive that, but instead, because Christ is the True Overcomer, the follower of Christ is considered "righteous", having Christ's "righteousness".

Overcomers in Revelation 2-3 And Their Promises

1. We will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God (2:7)
2. We will not be hurt by the second death (2:11)
3. We will receive hidden manna and a new name on a white stone that Christ will give to the overcomer (2:17)
4. We will co-reign with Christ (2:26-28)
5. We will be clothed in white garments, never have our name erased from the book of life, and Christ will confess our name before His and our Father and the angels (3:5)
6. We will be a pillar in the temple of God. We will have the Father's name on us, the New Jerusalem's name on us, and Christ's new name on us (Godly tattoos much?) (3:12)
7. We will sit down with Christ on His Throne (3:21)

Why Am I posting this?... And Closing Considerations...

1. I'm not a part of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel movement. God is not promising you a wife or husband. He's not promising you great wealth, a nice house, 2.5 kids, and a great local church. He's promised you everything that you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and a whole slew of other things in His Son, but we are never guaranteed great physical prosperity or the ingredients to the American Dream. Paul was promised suffering (Acts 9:16). That's something we can expect as believers standing for absolute truth (James 1:2-4). We are not politically correct. We are not Jewish either: Under the Mosaic Law, Israelites were promised blessing for obedience, and curses for disobedience (DT 28, etc). We are not under that covenant or any covenant.
2. So, I'm not posting this to make you happy or for you to think God will provide for your material happiness. That's not reality.
3. I do want to encourage every Beleiver reading this of our great identity in Christ and the promises that come with that which absolutely do not change based on our faithfulness or unfaithfulness! God isn't angry at you anymore. His wrath was dealt with on the cross!
4. In view of that, we need to live out the Gospel and live in such a way as to communicate this great message! Christ is man's only hope. We are living amongst damned people who need to be delivered from God's wrath for sin and enter His presence as children. If we aren't demonstrating this and communicating this to people, we aren't living as we should and are only ensuring their destruction. It's not our power that makes them believe but living in this way (in the Truth, even in suffering) will bring many people asking (1 Peter 3:15) how we can live with such hope and it is our responsibility to share this with people.
5. Make good friends. Listen to those around you. Speak truth in love. Live the Gospel!
6. Also, I realize I'm touching on quite a few issues in this post which thousands of believers do not reach agreement on. Even at my school (the College of Biblical Studies), there are mixed thoughts on who these overcomers are, if we are under a covenant or not (New or otherwise), and how to read the book of Revelation. That being said, take Rev 21 and the other passages I posted seriously because they are extremely black and white. If we don't receive the promises in Rev 2-3 for overcomers we will be naked, not eating from the tree of life, and hurt by the second death. If we don't receive the promise for the one who overcomes in Revelation 21, we will not dwell with our God and Savior forever, but enter into complete separation and alienation from Him.
7. I want feedback on this post. I know it's somewhat extensive and it is because I found it hard to talk about without going into a ton of introductory issues, but I would like to know if you agree with what I've said and if you do, why? And if you don't, why not?
8. In conclusion, I'm posting this to remind every believer of their great God and savior and His amazing grace which cannot be achieved, only tapped into by believing Christ's death for man's sin and His resurrection as Truth. I'm also posting this that we would realize the seriousness of the Christian life, our role in that, and how sure it is that there is an eternity with God in New Jerusalem or alone in the lake of fire. This isn't a game or a religion. This is ultimate truth and reality.

Father, may we live in light of your presence and your promises. May we never forget that we are built for eternity and your Glory- not our own. You alone are worthy, and it's to you that we owe everything you've placed before us, including what you've saved us from and what you've saved us for.

For His Glory,
-Phil