The Overcomers

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the LORD addresses the seven churches located in Asia Minor. Each church is addressed according to the issues that abound within. They all receive words of commendation, and all except Philadelphia and Smyrna receive words of rebuke. Elder Deon Jones has so accurately shared with me that Philadelphia means love and there is no rebuke for a church with love. Smyrna was the persecuted church and the LORD is not going to issue a rebuke to a church that is willing to die for Him.

What really grabbed my attention was that each letter ended with a promise “to he who overcomes”. This allowed us to see two things. 1) In order to be an Overcomer you must first be a part of the church. 2) Overcomers are found in all types of churches.

There is a new wind blowing amongst people today where church is optional for the believer. I believe someone must address this demonic doctrine at once. A healthy and vibrant church life should be a major part of everyone’s life. The LORD has invested too much in the church, (His own blood) for church to be optional.

Also as a member of the body of Christ, the rest of the members need you. We cannot fulfill our purpose separated from one another. It is within the confines of the structure of the church that we receive instruction and training which enables us to fulfill our purpose. I hold my position that any influence that leads you away from the local church completely is demonically inspired.

Also in the Revelation of Jesus Christ we are told that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and by not loving our lives unto the death (Rev.12:11). Overcoming is a collaborative effort between God and us. The Bible tells us in 2 Cor. 6:1 that we are workers together with Him or co-laborers. He does His part which is providing the blood needed to overcome, and then we must do our part which is to share the word of our testimony and not love our lives unto the death.

A witness is called forth to give a testimony of what they’ve seen, not what they’ve heard. If all they can share is what they’ve heard, that becomes inadmissible as hearsay. A testimony is the evidence of what you’ve seen the LORD do for you. Where He healed you, delivered you, saved you, etc. He put clothes on my back and food on the table is really not a testimony, not a biblical one anyway.

Not loving our lives to the death alludes to the fact that you cannot change your testimony even if death is an imminent threat. The people referred to in the text were so in love with God that they only lived to do His will. Let this be your hearts cry. Fall so deeply in love with the LORD that you only want to do His will. Then you will surely be an OVERCOMER!!!