The Rewards Of The Overcomers

To him that overcometh ...

What does overcometh mean? It means victory over the devil, flesh, and world. It is a Christian who strives successfully to live a victorious life in a sinful world. Not a perfect life, but in general a victorious life. I believe we can begin to live a victorious life when we truly seek to be more like Jesus.
Here is a short study of the 7 groups of promises that are given in Revelation to the believers who live as conquerors. "(W)e are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:37b).

Rev. 2:7
... will I give to eat of the tree of life. (This tree, according to Genesis 3:22, gives eternal life. In Proverbs, wisdom, fruit of the righteous, desire fulfilled, and a wholesome tongue are all compared with the tree of life. In Revelation 22, Christians will have the right to enjoy the 12 different fruits from the tree of life. This represents the rewards of the believer.)

Rev. 2:11
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (The believers who have died and been resurrected in Jesus will escape the second death. This death according to Revelation 20 and 21 is the lake of fire, the eternal death.)

Rev. 2:17
... will I give to eat of the hidden manna, (Manna was a divinely sent type of bread. The Hebrews ate it to survive in the desert. Jesus said He is the "living bread" John 6:51. Those that eat of Him will live forever. This manna may represent Christians enjoying Jesus and His life forever. This life is hidden from unbelievers.) and (I) will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name. (In the Bible, stones and tablets are often used to commemorate special events. The white stone may signify purity of heart. The new name is a special name that only God and you will know. It is a special royal name.)

Rev. 2:26-28
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Power means authority, dominion, or rule over people and things. Nations implies all governments and counties, especially those who are heathen people and lack knowledge of the true God.) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (This speaks of a ruler who governs with severity to bring the rebellious subjects under his/her control. This ruler may even destroy some of the subjects to assure continued reign over the rest.) And I will give him the morning star. (The Lord Jesus in His glory calls Himself "the bright and morning star" Rev. 22:16. This glorification signals the new age of His glory, the dawn of a brighter day and a new existence. His glory will be given to us so we can live in heaven with Him, I Corinthians 15:51-53; I John 3:2. How bright we shine in His glory will reflect what we did for Him.)

Rev. 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; (Bright or shining clothes picturing an undefiled heart.) And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, (Some say this book is the book having the names of the righteous who inherit eternal life, Rev. 21:27. Others say this is a book of Holy Living. That the acts of the overcomers will never be forgotten, and they will never lose their reward.) but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Those that proclaim and live for Jesus on earth will hear their names proclaimed in heaven, Matt. 10:32 & Luke 12:8.)

Rev. 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, (A pillar is a symbol of support, authority, or influence, in this case in God's Holy House, Gal. 2:9.) and he shall go no more out: (Our position in God's House is permanent.) and I will write upon him the name of my God, (His name is authority enabling us to do His work for His glory, Acts 3:6; 9:27; James 5:14. We also receive benefits through the name of Christ, John 20:31; Acts 4:30; I Cor. 6:11.) and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: (The celestial Jerusalem, which is the seat of the Messiah's kingdom, Heb. 12:22. This city is the renewed Jerusalem, superior, more splendid than any city ever known Rev. 21:2.) and I will write upon him my new name. (This is a name of God not currently known; it will be newly introduced to us.)

Rev. 3:21
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. (A throne is a symbol of royal authority. As in God being the Sovereign of the universe, and Jesus as the Son our God, our Messiah, Ps. 103:19; Matt. 25:31; Heb. 12:2. Here Jesus is saying He will share His royal authority and power with those who have overcome. This will make us able to do work that we could not otherwise do. We will, of course, serve Him and worship Him forever. Amen.)

Let these promises encourage us to keep (or to start) living and working for Jesus.