We are not contrasting people who are outside the Christian assemblies with those who are inside. We are discussing only those who are part of the golden lampstands of the Lord.

First of all, what does the Scripture state with respect to the Bride of the Lamb?

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)

It is apparent that the Wife of the Lamb is to be perfect in every respect. There will be no blemish in her.

Those who "overcome" the world, Satan, and their own lusts and self-will are given rewards that are in keeping with the righteousness, holiness, and glory of the Wife of the Lamb.

What about those who do not overcome but rather are overcome, as the Apostle says:

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (II Peter 2:20)

There are many expressions of displeasure and anger toward the sinful, disobedient, and slothful servants of the Lord to be found from the Gospels through to the Book of Revelation.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when the children of the Kingdom see the beauty and glory of the Kingdom and realize they themselves cannot enter because of their sinfulness, slothfulness, disobedience, fear, and unbelief.

Let us think for a moment about the spiritual condition of the nonovercomer and see if it coincides with what we would expect to be true of the Church, the unblemished Wife of the Lamb. The believer in Christ should consider the following carefully, because the incorrect evangelical doctrine of our day is asserting that every Christian will receive the fullness of the inheritance on the basis of his or her statement of faith in Christ.

The nonovercomer:

Will not be given a crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8).

Will suffer the removal of his lampstand from its place, the removal of the witnessing power of the Holy Spirit (Revelation 2:5). Perhaps this is speaking of the loss of the ability to bear witness of Christ on the part of the entire assembly rather than in the case of one unrepentant individual. However, it no doubt is true of the individual believer also.

Will not have access to the tree of life (Revelation 2:7).

Will not be given a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Will be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11).

Will have Christ fight against him with the sword of His mouth (Revelation 2:16).

Will not be given of the hidden manna; not be given a white stone (Revelation 2:17).

Will be cast into great tribulation (Revelation 2:22).

To be continued.