THE REWARDS OF AN OVERCOMER PART III
One of the most awesome things about eternity is that Jesus promises to reward everyone who overcomes with great rewards. If you are interested in overcoming the world, and gaining the great rewards of heaven; if you are interested in hearing Jesus say to you, “Well done good and faithful servant,” then please open your Bible to Revelation 12:11 and Revelation 21:7 for this special message, “The Rewards of an Overcomer Part III.”
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. NKJV
Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. NKJV
THOSE WHO OVERCOME
There is a deep cost for those who overcome, and the great rewards that come with it. There is a price to pay to overcome an immoral, ungodly world. There is a price to pay for choosing the righteous truth of Jesus Christ over the evil standards of the world. And that is becoming more true every day. There is a price to pay, and that price includes rejection, hate, persecution, the loss of property, and even the loss of life. This is why the Bible says…
2 Timothy 3:12 all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. NKJV
In a world that calls evil good, and good evil, we are called by God to not imitate the world, but to overcome the world by living holy and godly lives in an ungodly society. We do not overcome the world with weapons of warfare, but by the blood of Jesus and the testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way of salvation.
In Revelation 2:10, Jesus says those who overcome must… Be faithful until death…
For those who overcome and are faithful to the end, Jesus promises great rewards.
These great rewards involve crowns, and treasures, and positions of glory, and the fulfillment of some of the most awe-inspiring promises ever given. In the book of Revelation, we find seven magnificent promises that are specifically reserved for those who overcome.
Last week, in the first great promise Jesus promised those who overcome and repent of their spiritual apathy would receive the special promise to eat from the Tree of Life.
The second promise is the Crown of Life for those who overcome and are faithful until death.
The third promise is the promise of hidden manna and a white stone for those who overcome by putting off the immoral and sinful ways of the world, and putting on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and living a holy and godly life that honors Him.
Some may look at these promises and say, what’s so special about eating from the Tree of Life or having a white stone? The point is, these promises were made by Jesus Himself and I would never turn down anything Jesus wants to give me. His rewards are so magnificent that even the smallest reward of heaven will far surpass all the combined treasures of this world. But… to reap these great promises and the rewards they offer; we must be an overcomer.
Now, let’s turn our eyes to the final four promises that Jesus offers to those who overcome.
THE FOURTH PROMISE: TO RULE WITH CHRIST
The fourth promise is related to the church of Thyatira. When Jesus spoke to the church of
Thyatira, He commended them for their works, their love, their faith, their patience and their spiritual progress. This church appeared to be a strong, vibrant church with the special kind of qualities that most people would love to be part of. But the sad reality is, that mixed in with these good things, they were also allowing false teaching to sweep through the church that said they could participate in the immoral sins of the world and God’s grace would cover it. It does not work that way. This immoral teaching was so bad that Jesus labeled the leader of this false teaching a Jezebel. To be called a Jezebel by the Lord Jesus is probably the worst thing He could ever say about someone. To overcome the world and its false teachings we must be different from the world by living godly lives, and holding on to the truth that we have in Jesus. Jesus said…
Revelation 2:25 hold on to what you have until I come.
hold onto what you have… for how long? Until He comes… An overcomer must hold onto…
the faith that the Bible is God’s living and holy word.
We must hold onto the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
We must hold onto godly and righteous living that honors God.
For those who overcome… and for those who remain steadfast in the faith to live holy and godly lives in an ungodly society, Jesus says…
Revelation 2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will (to the end,) I will give authority over the nations— 27 He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' --just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. NIV
This is absolutely a phenomenal promise! Very soon, Jesus Christ will return with power and glory. He will destroy the forces of evil, and rule the nations with a rod of iron, smashing them to pieces like a broken clay pot. That is what the end result will be like for all the enemies of God at the return of Jesus.
But, for those who overcome, and are faithful to Jesus to the very end, He will give them the special promise to rule with Him and to judge the nations.
There is no political power on earth that can compare with the privilege of ruling with Christ. There is no military authority on earth, that can match the absolute authority of Jesus Christ to rule the world with a rod of iron. That’s the glorious future for those who overcome.
In addition, we are also promised the Morning Star, which involves a personal closeness with Jesus in an eternal promise that surpasses anything we can imagine.
For example, those who overcome and remain steadfast to the end, all the host of heaven will see you standing side by side with the King of kings. They will see your special recognition because you loved Jesus and refused to follow the sins of this world. This is one of the greatest rewards found in the Bible, and it is available to anyone who overcomes and holds onto Jesus Christ as the Lord of their life.
THE FIFTH PROMISE: SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN HEAVEN
The fifth great promise is found in Jesus words to the church of Sardis.
Jesus called the church of Sardis a lifeless and spiritually dead church. They worked for the Lord, but they were not in love with the Lord. To an untrained eye they look good on the outside, but on the inside at what God sees, they were full of dead men’s bones.
Imagine standing before Jesus and hearing Him say to you, that you were a spiritually dead Christian. What a terrible tragedy that would be. In His counsel to the church of Sardis, Jesus said…
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you, will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. NKJV
This is a very stern warning to the whole body of Christ. For those who have a spiritually dead attitude, there are two things that must happen if you are to overcome.
First, you must repent, and take hold of Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Second, and this is where Jesus really draws the line…
He said… If you DO NOT watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (You won’t know what hit you!)
To be watchful is to be awake and ready. Far too many Christians in America are asleep.
They are not awake to fulfill their God given calling.
They are not awake to the signs of Christ’s return.
They are not awake to their need to repent, and live holy and godly lives.
One of the great things Jesus is looking for in those who overcome, is they are watching and are prepared for His return. And that speaks greatly to our generation. Please listen carefully; You cannot have a spiritually dead attitude and still be prepared for the rapture of the church, and… expect to be rewarded at the judgment seat of Jesus.
For those who overcome by watching and preparing; for those who overcome by remaining steadfast in their faith; For those who overcome by repenting and holding onto Jesus, He promises great eternal rewards. Listen to the wonder of these promises.
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
In our limited understanding, I am not sure we can grasp the full significance of this great promise for those who overcome. But let’s give it a try.
First, there is the unique promise of a white robe. I believe these white robes, are specifically designed by Jesus Himself as a special gift to those whom He will personally recognize for overcoming and faithfully believing in Him until the end. These are the ones who overcame trials and persecution and did not give up the faith, but stayed true to the will of God.
Picture in your mind that you are one of those who endured hardships and persecution, and yet, you remained faithful to Jesus. Now you are standing before Him, and He places on you a white robe that signifies to all of heaven your faithful endurance to honor Him with your life and commitment.
Second, once you have received this glorious white robe of honor, Jesus now honors you before God the Father, and all the host of heaven as His faithful servant. And then, He says to you, walk with Me, for I want all of heaven to know you are My special friend.
This is one of the great rewards of heaven that I personally and greatly desire.
THE SIXTH PROMISE: A PILLAR AND A NEW NAME
The sixth amazing promise includes a multitude of promises for those who overcome.
Let’s, look at Revelation 3:10-11.
Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you
from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. NIV
One of the great promises for those who overcome by believing in Jesus Christ, is that they will be delivered from the great tribulation coming upon the whole world.
This is one of the great promises in scripture and why I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture.
Bible prophecy shows that the return of Jesus Christ is very near and it is imperative that we hold on and overcome the world by faith in Jesus Christ.
However, for those who do not hold on; for those who are not watching and are not prepared for His return, they will be saved, but they will not receive the promise of a great crown. That’s why Jesus said, hold onto what you have.
Another set of these great promises is found in verse 12…
Revelation 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. NIV
In this set of promises, Jesus said…
• I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God
• Never again will he leave it
• I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem
• I will also write on him my new name
A pillar in the temple of God means you will always be in His eternal presence. It means for all eternity you will see Him face to face and that you will have a permanent position of greatness in His kingdom. That’s a magnificent promise. But it only gets better.
Jesus also said, I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem.
First, this means you will be a special citizen of the New Jerusalem, which is the holy city of God and the capital of heaven and earth. I don’t have the time to describe the greatness of the New Jerusalem, but I assure you it will far surpass anything we could ever imagine, and it will be our eternal home.
Second, the name of God is very sacred, and He doesn’t just give it out to anyone. However, for those who overcome and honor Him, they will be given the special privilege to carry His holy name for all eternity.
You will be known in the entire Kingdom as one who is from the great city, the New Jerusalem, and as one of the great ones who serves in the eternal presence of the living God. What a magnificent and glorious promise. But again, it gets even better.
Jesus also said, I will also write on him my new name.
When you write your name on something, it shows ownership. One of the greatest honors of heaven is to have the Name of Jesus written on our heart. The name of Jesus is more than just King of kings and Lord of lords. Upon His return, Jesus will have a new name that is so unique and special that He will reveal it only to those who overcome. Think about that!
He will take the glory of His new name and write His new name on those who overcome. All of heaven will see His majestic name written on you and they will know that you were His faithful servant who was faithful to the end and did not deny His Name.
Because you acknowledged His name on earth, He will give you the privilege to carry the authority, and honor of His name, everywhere you go throughout the glorious Kingdom of God. just this one promise alone, is worth being called an overcomer. So, never, never misuse, or deny the name of Jesus. His name is a name that you will carry for all eternity.
THE SEVENTH PROMISE: TO RULE WITH CHRIST ON HIS THRONE
The seventh and last promise, I believe, is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. Of all the promises we have heard so far, this one is far beyond our imagination.
Revelation 3:21 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. NKJV
Jesus says… those who overcome will have an eternal position of greatness to rule and reign with Jesus for all eternity in the new heaven and the new earth. Those who overcome will rule with Jesus Christ, the eternal King of kings as kings, across the unlimited span of the whole universe.
Picture in your mind Jesus Christ, high and lifted up, seated on the throne of David, to rule forever and ever. He is the Son of God, and the King of all kings, before whom all heaven and earth will bow before Him at His throne and proclaim that His Name is the name that has all power and glory and honor. Now… picture these words…
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. NKJV
Revelation 21:24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. NKJV
Picture in your mind that you are seated with Jesus on the throne of heaven. He did not say you would sit on a throne underneath Him, but that you would sit on a throne with Him. When you chose to overcome and hold onto Jesus, He promises you the privilege to sit with Him and rule with Him forever.
The promise of this great reward is for all who overcome by watching and waiting for Jesus Christ and hold onto Him with all their heart. This amazing promise is one of the great rewards of heaven that Jesus has in store for those who overcome.
IN CLOSING…
If you want to do well at the judgment seat of Christ and receive great rewards in heaven, you must choose Jesus Christ. For those who are lukewarm toward Jesus, He says…
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. NKJV
At this very moment, He is knocking on the door of your heart. He is speaking your name and He says if you will hear His voice and open the door of your heart, you will discover a relationship with Him, that will be greater than anything you have ever known.
His love for you is so great that He continues to knock and knock with the hopes that you will open up and let Him in. The point is, every time you hear a message or a witness, He is knocking at the door of your heart, and He will continue to knock, and He will continue to call out your name until you either open up, or the ears of your heart become so deaden, they can no longer hear the knocking. Only you can decide which one it will be.
For those who repent; for those who overcome a lukewarm and half-hearted commitment
toward Jesus and are determined to seek God with all of their heart and give Him their best
to the very end, Jesus says I have in store for you great and awesome promises.
Today is the day for you to overcome and make Jesus Christ number one in your life. For those who overcome, what Jesus has in store for you is so glorious and so magnificent that nothing on earth can be compared to them.
Romans 10:9 …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. NKJV
