WHO ARE OVERCOMERS?
All Christians are called to be overcomers, but not all Christians choose to be overcomers.
This present Church age is the period that God has set aside to secure a bride for His Son and the Christians that will make up this “bride” are those who become ‘partakers' of His Life and thus, overcomers. The teaching that you become an overcomer when you became a Christian is not taught in the Scriptures. It is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, at the end of this dispensation that Christians will be judged for their fitness and to know whether or not they are qualified to inherit the Millennial Kingdom; there and only there will each Christian’s response to this privilege be revealed. It is not enough just to be a “Christian” as one has to win the prize of reigning with Christ, it’s not automatic.
Let us examine a few verses to show how Scripture addresses this subject. The first that comes to mind is John’s usages to the Churches in Revelation.
Rev 2:7
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
KJV
This was John’s address to the Church at Ephesus which represents the apostolic Church, which endured great hardships. God knew their good works, their labour and patience. These saints were strong in doctrine, but they had forgotten and forsaken the most important thing – their first love, that spiritual intimacy with the Father.
God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Church at Ephesus was that he would eat of the tree of life (the tree of life is synonymous to a special wisdom and knowledge in the future kingdom). The distinction here is between “faithful, obedient” and “unfaithful, disobedient” Christians. This reference does not speak of the salvation of one’s spirit, but an intimacy with the Father to be enjoyed by those found worthy at the judgment seat of Christ.
All Christians are called to be overcomers, but not all Christians choose to be overcomers.
This present Church age is the period that God has set aside to secure a bride for His Son and the Christians that will make up this “bride” are those who become ‘partakers' of His Life and thus, overcomers. The teaching that you become an overcomer when you became a Christian is not taught in the Scriptures. It is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, at the end of this dispensation that Christians will be judged for their fitness and to know whether or not they are qualified to inherit the Millennial Kingdom; there and only there will each Christian’s response to this privilege be revealed. It is not enough just to be a “Christian” as one has to win the prize of reigning with Christ, it’s not automatic.
Let us examine a few verses to show how Scripture addresses this subject. The first that comes to mind is John’s usages to the Churches in Revelation.
Rev 2:7
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
KJV
This was John’s address to the Church at Ephesus which represents the apostolic Church, which endured great hardships. God knew their good works, their labour and patience. These saints were strong in doctrine, but they had forgotten and forsaken the most important thing – their first love, that spiritual intimacy with the Father.
God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Church at Ephesus was that he would eat of the tree of life (the tree of life is synonymous to a special wisdom and knowledge in the future kingdom). The distinction here is between “faithful, obedient” and “unfaithful, disobedient” Christians. This reference does not speak of the salvation of one’s spirit, but an intimacy with the Father to be enjoyed by those found worthy at the judgment seat of Christ.
The saints whose works will be tested by fire, and will come through as “precious stones” as seen in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 3:11-15); are those who are partakers of Christ during their life time – living His Life – thus, they will be rewarded in the future with a special intimate fellowship with Christ. The disobedient in this Church are the ones who have lost their first love (Rev. 2:4). They will also loose their share of the tree of life in the future kingdom as well. The Spirit even says that He will remove His lampstand (or the light of His presence) from their Church if they do not repent (Rev. 2:5).
Some Christians will be shown at the Judgment Seat to have overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Others will show to have been overcome by these things. The word “overcome” is a translation of the Greek word nikao, which means to conquer or to gain victory over something. The though inherent in the word is to be victorious in a contest or conflict.
Some Christians will be shown at the Judgment Seat to have overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Others will show to have been overcome by these things. The word “overcome” is a translation of the Greek word nikao, which means to conquer or to gain victory over something. The though inherent in the word is to be victorious in a contest or conflict.
1 comment:
Yes your comments are good with regards to the Gizrah. Just finished an awesome book by Chuck & Nancy Missler The Kingdom Power & Glory (The Overcomers Handbook)they go into some detail with regards to the Gizrah with diagrams of Ezekiel's Temple. This is a wonderful book for great study. The Misslers are awesome teachers of the Word of God.
Paula.
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