“…To him that overcometh will I…” (Revelation 2:7c).

In each of the Seven Churches, Christ spoke directly to the “overcomers” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21), in reference to the reward they should receive from Christ.

The Greek construction in each case is, to the “nikaō.” In reference to the Seven Churches of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, this word describes Christ’s followers, His disciples. According to how the Spirit of God used this Greek word in other Scriptures, it shows the ability to overtake, live above, and have the power over; all adversaries, or all enemies of the Spirit. Over enemies such as our flesh, where Paul said sin dwells (Romans 7:15-24); such as the “wicked one” (1 John 2:13-14); over all antichrists (1 John 4:3-4); even the world (1 John 5:4-5); over the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10-11); over “the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name” (Revelation 15:2).

Therefore, the “overcomer” is one who possesses the Power of Christ living in him; for Christ said after His Resurrection, “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Paul said of Christ, “…declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Christ, being “all power”; when He dwells in the Believer, the Believer can do “…all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Paul also said, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6). That is, walk in His Love and in His Power. How? Colossians 3:3 says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8)

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9)

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” (Romans 8:12)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13)

Then John said in 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Or even Christ, who is The Faith, that lives and abides in those born of the Spirit of God (Galatians 2:20).

Therefore, Jesus Christ, in our text, was speaking to those who were Regenerated, or born from above (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6); to those who had received the Gift of the Holy Spirit (which is the Holy Spirit Himself; He is the Gift).

But all in the Body of Christ have been Regenerated, or Baptized into His Body by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:13). But in our text, Christ was making a distinction between those that could hear and those that were “doers” or “overcomers.”

Question: Are all the Born from Above overcomers?

The answer is yes and no. All that are Born of the Spirit of God are sons of God. But to be in the class of Bride, instead of queen, concubine, and virgin, or the Daughters of Jerusalem (Song of Solomon 6:8-9); the difference is maturity (even perfection), which comes in Progressive Sanctification, or a daily being conformed to the Image of Christ, unto which the sons of God have been predestinated (Romans 8:29-30).

In the growth of the Child of God in holiness, there are many steps to maturity. God uses chastisements (Hebrews 12:5-11); He uses tests (Deuteronomy 8:1-8); He uses trials and tribulations (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5). Some call these “The Potter’s House”; “The School of the Desert”; “The Valley of Baca (tears)”; or even “The Valley of the Shadow of Death” (Psalms 23:1-6).

Even Joshua and Caleb had to have the Wilderness training to be brought to “Crossing the Jordan” and going into Canaan Land to claim their inheritance.

Therefore, the “overcomers” are those who have been schooled, re-shaped, and readied for the Work of the Kingdom; having fully surrendered, submitted, obeyed, and endured in body, soul, and spirit unto God. They are those who have vowed to not turn back; those who have been brought to the Banqueting House of God and now have His Banner of Love over them (Song of Solomon 2:4). They are those who now know of their Oneness in Christ and Christ in them; and are now beholding His Glory in His Presence (John 17:21-24). They are those who John saw who had overcome the devil, the beast, and the false prophet by the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 15:2; 20:4).

Reader, where are you? Are you an overcomer in the Power and Victory of the Lamb of God? If you are, you are over sin’s dominion; and sin does not have dominion over you. You walk in the Love of God and in the Power and Victory of God; and nothing can defeat you (Romans 8:31-34). You are one whose eye is on the Prize (Philippians 3:7-14).

Or are you an under-comer? Are you one who walks in fear, doubt, and unbelief? Are you allowing the flesh, or the “old man,” to dictate your walk to you? Are you leaning on your own understanding and sufficiency, which always falls short of full success?

Which one are you?