Living Our Lives in the Light of Jesus’ Second Coming: 5 Day Bible Plan With William Porter Exemplo

Day Five: Be One Who Overcomes

The book of Revelation is the last and most dramatic book of the Bible. It consists mainly of a series of visions about the turbulent end times and the glorious age of the kingdom to come. The apostle John, then an old man, was the recipient of these visions, and his writing starts with a revelation of the risen Jesus in such glorious splendour that John falls at his feet. What then follows is a group of messages from Jesus to seven churches known to John. These churches are communities of faith struggling in the first century AD to maintain a faithful Christian witness in a hostile culture. These 'letters' are linked to the subsequent end time visions in that the end time period will be very testing for those who follow Jesus. The later heavenly visions, showing God as the Lord of history, of evil being judged, and believers rewarded for their faith, would have been a great encouragement to the believers of John's time. These seven letters to seven churches (where the number 'seven' in Scripture signifies completion, perfection, or totality) have also been thought to represent seven conditions of churches or followers of Jesus. Therefore, they are relevant for us today.

What do these messages of Jesus to the churches say? They are particular and personal, pointing out specific things worthy of praise or correction. Some churches were flourishing, some were struggling under persecution, some had lost their spiritual fire. Through them all Jesus uses the same word to encourage them about the future; it is the word 'overcome', meaning to conquer or be triumphant (mentioned seven times in Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Jesus promises heavenly rewards for those believers who overcome. What are they, and we, called to overcome? In short, compromise or spiritual dullness. There are always temptations to compromise our faith, either denying Jesus under pressure or through giving in to things that weaken our commitment to Jesus. There are also many opportunities to become dull or passive in our walk with God, settling into an 'easier is better' attitude to our discipleship, or allowing circumstances or people around to dampen down the fire of our faith. 

The Christian life is often described as a race; it is more like a marathon than a sprint. Having watched the London Marathon up close, I have often been struck by the challenge of lasting the distance and finishing the race. Many things can hinder a runner over 26 miles – cramps, stitches, dehydration, injury, even the dreaded 'wall' of fatigue. Yet the challenge is to overcome all these potential mishaps or difficulties, and actually finish the race. Whether you crawl or run over the line, the motivation is to overcome everything and finish well. 

That is why Jesus gives such encouragement to those running the Christian race of faith. He calls us to overcome our obstacles, personal or out in the world, to let nothing dull down or compromise our faith in him. There is great reward in heaven for those who finish well. And in the end times, when the devil tries to coerce Christians to give up or conform to the world, the book of Revelation says that believers 'overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony' (Revelation 12:11). There is nothing the devil can do against those who are steadfast in their confession of Christ and stay true to their faith. We follow Jesus, the one who overcame through giving his life for the world. We win, not by being the best or greatest or strongest, but by holding fast to our faith, right to the end. So, in the days to come, in great testing and shaking, as well as in revival and harvest, let us resolve to finish well, and be one who overcomes!

Reflect: How am I doing in the long-distance race of my Christian life? Where am I tempted to either compromise or become dull in my faith and following Jesus? What would finishing well and overcoming look like for me? What rewards am I looking forward to in heaven?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the one who overcame death, and all the devil could throw at you, and that you now reign in heaven, holding the keys of death and hell. Thank you that you know the challenges we face in life, and you give us everything we need to overcome them. Please help me in my race of faith to keep sight of you, and to push through the obstacles in my way. Even in end time troubles, let me always stay true to you and to my confession of faith in you, and to receive your heavenly reward for finishing well. I pray this in your name. Amen. 

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