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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Revelation 21:7, continued
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 21:7)
The teaching that to overcome is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God is very destructive and renders the second and third chapter of the Book of Revelation illogical and meaningless. The correct interpretation is that believing that Jesus is the Son of God makes it possible for us to overcome—a world of difference.
The issue before us is this: when the second and third chapters of Revelation (also written by the Apostle John) speak of overcoming are they speaking of our declaration that Jesus is the Son of God, our belief in this fact, or are they speaking of a change in our behavior?
Let us look and see.
First we must ask ourselves, to whom is the Book of Revelation addressed?
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)
Would you agree that the Book of Revelation is addressed to the servants of Jesus Christ?
Further:
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)
Would you agree that the Book of Revelation is addressed to the seven Christian churches in Asia?
If this is the case, then Revelation is written to those who already believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Of all the rebukes and calls to repentance found in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, none has to do with reaffirming belief that Jesus is the Son of God. All have to do with turning away from the behavior meriting the Lord's disfavor.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:5)
Does that sound to you that Jesus was telling the Christians to believe that He is the Son of God? Would believing that Jesus is the Son of God be termed "doing your first works"?
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
Is the Lord exhorting the Christians in Smyrna to believe He is the Son of God? Any Christian who today is in some form of "prison" knows the issue is not believing that Jesus is the Son of God. The issue is one of patient faith and endurance, avoiding the temptation to take matters into our own hands, to attempt to break out of the box we are in.
To be continued.