The Rewards Of An Overcomer Part Iii Series

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!)