The book of Revelation contains seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. At the end of each letter, Jesus makes a promise “to him who overcomes.” These promises are intended to encourage believers to remain faithful even in the midst of persecution and hardship. Here is an overview of the promises made to overcomers in Revelation:
To the Church in Ephesus
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). This promise echoes back to the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve were barred from eating from the tree of life after they sinned. For the faithful in Ephesus who overcome temptation and persecution, access to the tree of life in God’s presence is promised.
To the Church in Smyrna
“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). The second death refers to the lake of fire, the final judgment of the wicked (Revelation 20:14). Believers who remain faithful in Smyrna will escape this judgment and inherit eternal life.
To the Church in Pergamos
“To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17). Rather than earthly bread, faithful believers will be sustains by spiritual bread from heaven. They are also promised intimacy with Christ, pictured by the white stone with a secret name.
To the Church in Thyatira
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…and I will give him the morning star” (Revelation 2:26, 28). Believers who remain faithful will join Christ in His reign, ruling with Him over the nations. The morning star refers to Christ Himself (Revelation 22:16). So they are promised an intimate, close relationship with Jesus.
To the Church in Sardis
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). White garments picture righteousness and purity. Overcomers are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Their names will never be erased from the Book of Life and Christ will personally confess their names before the Father.
To the Church in Philadelphia
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 I will write on him My new name” (Revelation 3:12). Faithful believers will have an unshakeable position in God’s temple, the New Jerusalem. Both the name of God and Christ’s new name will be written on them, symbolizing belonging and intimacy.
To the Church in Laodicea
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). Believers who don’t grow lukewarm but remain faithful will be granted remarkable authority to sit with Christ on His throne, just as He took His place at the Father’s side.
In summary, these seven promises give believers incredible hope and motivation to persevere. Overcomers are promised eternal life, intimacy with Christ, authority to reign, righteousness, inclusion in God’s book of life, purity, and more. Jesus makes these promises not on the basis of works but on the basis of His finished work on our behalf. As believers faithfully identify with Him in suffering and obedience, they share abundantly in His victory.
Additional Promises to Overcomers in Revelation
The promises to overcomers are not limited to the seven churches. Revelation contains additional promises:
Promise of Eternal Inheritance
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” (Revelation 21:7) God promises the overcomer will inherit the entirety of the new heavens and new earth. The overcomer will join an eternal, unbreakable family relationship with God Himself.
Promise to Avoid the Lake of Fire
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) In contrast to overcomers, those characterized by persistent sin will not inherit eternal life but will face eternal judgment.
Promise to Eat of the Tree of Life
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14) Ongoing obedience to Christ results in blessing. Faithful believers gain access to the tree of life just as God had intended before the fall of man.
Promise of White Garments
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12) Once again, faithful obedience is rewarded. Believers who overcome will be clothed in radiant garments according to their deeds.
Promise of Confession of Names Before the Father
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…and 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 I will write on him My new name.” (Revelation 3:12) As mentioned previously, Jesus will personally confess the names of overcomers before the Father, symbolizing belonging to God’s family.
Promise of Authority to Rule
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron.” (Revelation 2:26-27) Faithful endurance results in reigning with Christ in the millennium and sharing in His authority.
Promise of Permanent Pillar Status in God’s Temple
“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” (Revelation 3:12) Overcomers will have an eternal, unshakable place in God’s presence.
In summary, these additional promises emphasize that overcomers will inherit eternal life to the fullest. They endure temptation and persecution because their eyes are fixed on the glorious future rewards Christ will give them for their faithfulness to Him until the end.
Requirements to Be an Overcomer
It is important to note that the promises are made not to sinless perfectionists but to those who walk in genuine faith and repentance:
Genuine Faith in Christ
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4) Saving faith in Christ’s finished work is the foundation for overcoming. Believers overcome by Christ’s blood, not their own effort.
Continual Repentance and Obedience
Jesus repeatedly says “he who overcomes” keeps His works, does His commandments, etc. Overcomers demonstrate the reality of their faith through repentance of sin and lives marked by obedience to Christ.
Endurance Through Suffering
Repeatedly, overcomers are commended for their perseverance under trial. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) Overcomers endure hardship for the sake of Christ without compromising their faith.
So in summary, overcomers are saved by grace alone through faith, but their lives are characterized by continual repentance, obedience, and steadfastness in the face of persecution. They have fixed their hope on Christ and eternal life with Him.
How Believers Can Be Overcomers
How then can believers make these glorious promises a reality in their lives today? Here are some key steps:
Walk in the Spirit Daily
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) Being filled continually with the Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome sinful desires and live godly lives.
Renew Your Mind with Scripture
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) Immersing oneself in Scripture renews our thinking to align with God’s perfect will.
Pursue Holiness
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) Make intentional choices each day to live a holy life. Confess and repent of any sin that gets in the way.
Persevere in Doing Good
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) Keep doing the right thing even when it’s difficult. Your reward is assured.
Set Your Mind on Eternity
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20) Keep an eternal perspective and live in light of eternity.
Trust God’s Grace to Empower You
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Rely on Christ’s grace, not your own willpower. His Spirit in you will enable you to overcome.
Put on the Full Armor of God
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11) Use spiritual armor like truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer.
Draw Near to God
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Staying close to God spiritually is key to resisting temptation and remaining faithful.
So take heart, believer. Spirit-empowered perseverance results in the glorious fulfillment of all Christ’s promises to overcomers. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. The light of eternity awaits you.
