“…He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7)

The Destiny of the overcomer is to “inherit all things” (or these things). What were the things that John spoke of in Revelation 21:7?

Part I. Look at Revelation 21:2-6:

1)    John was speaking of “…the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (verse 2). John sets the stage by revealing the Church, Christ’s Bride, His Body, as the New Jerusalem (the place of God’s Throne and His Dwelling Place). As King David’s house was in Jerusalem, and also his throne – so the New Jerusalem would be Christ’s Throne and Dwelling Place.

2)    In verse 3, John reveals that this would be God’s Dwelling Place on earth (His Bride, or His Body, or His Church, or New Jerusalem, the Holy City); and they would be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.

3)    Verse 4 reveals that God would wipe away all tears; no more death, sorrow, nor crying, and no more pain (“for the former things are passed away”).

4)    In verse 5, Christ tells John that He would make all things new.

5)    And He continues, “…I (Christ) will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (verse 6).

 

These things are also listed individually in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12:

1)    “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.” (Revelation 2:7)

So God Himself will give the overcomer the ability to eat of the Tree of Life. The question is: What is the Tree of Life?

To answer this question, it must first be identified Where the Tree of Life is: “…in the midst of the paradise of God.” See Revelation 22:2, 14; John saw the Tree of Life in the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, there was the Tree of Life, and it bore twelve manner of fruit. This can be none other than Jesus Christ, who is Eternal Life Himself (1 John 5:20).

Therefore, the Tree of Life is not a “What,” but a “Who” – Christ Jesus, Who is Life Himself and Who gives Life (John 1:1-4; 5:26; 11:25; 1 John 5:11).

2)    “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)

Those who are overcomers (or those born of the Spirit of God) will not ever suffer the lake of fire; where death and hell are cast, the devil, the beast, and false prophet (Revelation 20:10). This knowledge is the foundation of peace and rest in the hour of trial unto death, knowing:

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

3)    “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 hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:17)

“…the hidden manna…” Christ is the Bread of Life, the manna. Here He said He was “hidden,” or out or sight. Christ is hidden unless you are an overcomer; that is, unless you are Born from Above (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6). The key word is “overcometh”; for those will dwell in Christ and Christ in them. This is proof of their being recipients of regeneration, and proof that they do “abide” in Christ (John 15:1-10), and are One in Him (see John 17:21-24).

“A (white) stone to be given to the overcomer in the Church at Pergamos (Revelation 2:17); a white stone was often used in the social life and judicial customs of the ancients; festal days were noted by a white stone… A host’s appreciation of a special guest was indicated by a white stone with the name or a message written on it; this is probably the allusion here” (Vine).

The overcomer is a special guest at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; for he is the Bride of Christ. But also what is important is what is written on the white stone of commendation. The new name is Bride; “my delight is unto her” “Hephzibah.” (See Isaiah 62:2-4.)

No man, without the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8), can perceive, or see, or “knoweth” spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). You must have the mind of Christ. You must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, who is The Revelation of Truth and The Teacher of Truth (1 John 2:20, 27). Therefore, only those who “receiveth it” would know the name.

4)    “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)

Since the overcomer is a joint-heir of Christ; being in Christ, being married to Christ, being in His Body by Spirit Baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13); then he (the overcomer) is a participant in Christ’s Reward. And Christ has Power over all, even those who are against Him; for He said, “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).

5)    “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

“…clothed in white raiment…” See Revelation 19:7-9, “…arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (verse 8).

“…I will not blot out his name out of the book of life…” This is speaking of temporal life, a physical life; Christ was saying the overcomer shall live, and not die in the Judgment. And also speaking of spiritual life; Christ cannot deny His own Word (Romans 8:29-39). Therefore, this has to do with physical, or temporal, life.

“…I will confess his name…” This means “to confess forth, i.e., freely, openly.” (See Matthew 10:32.)

6)    “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:12)

“…will I make a pillar in the temple of my God …” The word “pillar” is used “figuratively in Revelation 3:12, indicating a firm and permanent position in the spiritual, heavenly and eternal Temple of God.”

“…he shall go no more out …” That is, the overcomer will be at home in the House of God, the Church; he will never depart.

“…I will write upon him the name of my God …” What is the Name of My God? Jesus Christ is the answer. (See Revelation 14:1; 22:4.)

In summary, the overcomer will reap the highest blessings in this temporal life; having “…power with God and with men, and hast prevailed (or overcome)” (Genesis 32:28). He will be an overcomer over self and sin daily in his life, as he lives Christ’s Life in him daily:

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” (Romans 5:17)

The overcomer will walk in the Church in the Love of God, even in the Light; full of the Spirit of God, in the Victory of the Lamb of God. It will be the Resurrection Power of Christ that leads him and feeds him and allows him to overcome all things in his daily walk in this evil world.

He will be brought to where Christ is:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21)

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” (John 17:22)

“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:23)

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

He will be brought to behold the Glory of God, to which he was created as a vessel of mercy and honor:

“And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Romans 9:23)

“Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:24)

In the Kingdom of God, he is to “inherit all things,” as noted above (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12); now in part.

 

Part II. In Eternity:

Here the overcomer will be in full reward of these things.

He will have his new body and be in the very presence of the Glorified Lamb of God. He will forever be around the Throne of God, singing, “Worthy is the Lamb”; worshipping and praising Him forever and ever. (See Revelation 4, 5, 21, 22.)

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5:9)

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;” (Revelation 5:11)

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Revelation 5:12)

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:13)

“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:14)