John's Apocalypse contains many graphic word pictures that are interpreted in many ways, often leading
people to see this books as a puzzle which must be put together by finite analysis. I believe John's Apocalypse is a picture book that reveals the glory and majesty and power and authority of the Christ that our study of this book ought to be aimed at seeing Him more clearly.
To that end, I draw your attention to the seven letters in chapters 2 & 3, focusing on how Jesus describes Himself and the rewards He will give to His people. Read these passages carefully, and be at awe of the revelation of Jesus Christ presented in this small portion of John's Apocalypse.
Revelation 2:1 (HCSB) “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands"
Revelation 2:7 (HCSB) “I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise."
Revelation 2:8 (HCSB) “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life"
Revelation 2:11 (HCSB) “The victor will never be harmed by the second death."
Revelation 2:12 (HCSB) “The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword"
Revelation 2:17 (HCSB) “I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it."
Revelation 2:18 (HCSB) “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze"
Revelation 2:26 (HCSB) "The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations"
Revelation 3:1 (HCSB) “The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says"
Revelation 3:5 (HCSB) "the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels."
Revelation 3:7 (HCSB) “The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens"
Revelation 3:12 (HCSB) "The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God—and My new name. "
Revelation 3:14 (HCSB) “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation"
Revelation 3:21 (HCSB) "The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Saints - who is the victor mentioned here these seven times? Is it the man who pulls himself by his own bootstraps? Is it the man who sees Jesus and himself rightly and throws himself at the mercy of the Lamb? What do we read?
In describing the end of the age, when final victory over death is ours, Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57). God gives us victory through Christ. Same as our salvation - by grace through faith in Christ, which is a gift from God (Eph 2:7).
John agrees with Paul and I will end with this. "whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5). We have victory by faith in Christ.
When Jesus says, "to the victor ..." He refers to those believers who continue to believe in the face of tribulation, sorrow, riches, and poverty; kept by the Spirit until the day of judgment. Jesus is the almighty creator, sustainer, savior, and judge.
If you are in Christ - you have victory! If you are not, while is it yet today, repent and believe on Him.
