1 A Jesus Lover Overcomer Series

As a part of my job, I am learning about GHS symbols. There are symbols or pictograms used to visually help people know the dangers of any given chemical. They are printed in a red square on the side of the container describing the hazards of that chemical and the safest course of action to take with it - if you should wear goggles, gloves, or a respirator. If you should not inhale it, or get it on your skin, or strike a match nearby, and what to do if you get some in your mouth or if it is fatal if swallowed. It gives the poison control or CHEMTREC phone number to call if you need it. The warnings are meant to be read first before you use the chemical and taken VERY SERIOUSLY. The same is true for this book of Revelation.

When I was in youth ministry, you quickly learned that there is a favorite phrase spoken by those in junior high and it is the phrase, SERIOUSLY? No matter what you say, a junior high boy or girl will typically respond with, Seriously? Because they are in the phase of life of discovering what is really real and true.

Jesus takes his churches seriously and his warnings to his churches are very serious.

Not everyone who thinks they are headed toward eternal life is.

Jesus says, only the OVERCOMERS will make it.

How to be A JESUS LOVER OVERCOMER. DO YOU COMPLETELY BELONG TO CHRIST?

ARE YOU HOLDING ANYTHING BACK FROM HIM?

There are TWO kingdoms represented in REV - one represents doing everything without God (Babylon) - ever since the Tower of BABEL which was located where the country later was called Babylon; and the other kingdom represents doing everything for God, by God, with God. That kingdom is called The New Jerusalem.

You and I cannot come to know GOD by Babylonian methods. You have to enter into and live by what John calls “New Jerusalem” methods. The main method is worship.

The end for one of those kingdoms is eternal life lived without a Sun because the Lamb gives the people their light; its people live in a city with complete access to Paradise and the Garden where the Tree of LIFE is located in the very center with a river running out to the world; the end of the other kingdom is eternal death in darkness with the Dragon and beast, and the false prophet who deceived its people.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

But there is hope–and the hope could be YOU - If those following the Lamb will OVERCOME as the Lamb overcame, there will not only be hope for YOU, but for those who see you.

God is calling with a voice so sweet out over the sea of people, for those who are thirsty to come and drink from the living water of the river that has flowed from God’s mountain since the opening days of Genesis. For this to happen, the Church must OVERCOME. Seriously? -YES!

And so JOHN is told to write the words of Jesus given to him through an angel to give to seven churches. SEVEN is one of John’s favorite numbers, as well as three, ten, and 12. Why? The Bible tells him so!

So John is told to write a letter to the angelos of each church. Angelos is a word that can be translated messenger or angel. It has lead some to believe that every church has a guardian angel over it that helps the word of God to be voiced within it. But it really doesn’t make any sense for JOHN to WRITE a letter to an angel. I believe that the messenger of the church is the one who gives the messages to the church, and so today that would be the pastor, the preacher, the priest, the parson, the minister, the prophet, the reverend.