More Than Conquerors

Bulletin

Dan Peters
11/12/23 - Revelation

More than Conquerors

Here at West Murray we are beginning a study on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm that will inspire us to overcome all things. Everything? Yes, and then some. Notice what Jesus said just a few hours before going to the cross, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). The world laughs at this, for Jesus was crucified. But then comes Sunday morning and the resurrection of Christ! He was more than conqueror. He conquered me too.
Now, in the book of Revelation, he invites us to join him in victory, in the same way he did. Jesus not only invites us to join him, he encourages us to share his victory. How? “And they overcame him (the accuser), because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (Rev. 12:11). Just as he gave up his life, so we give up ours. What would make a person do this? They trust him and his promises.
He promises the seven churches of Asia, “I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God”, “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death”, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Rev. 2:7, 11, 3:21). These are promises to stand on.
Now there were several sins in these churches that must be overcome. We will study what Jesus expects. But with this call to “repent”(2:5,:16, 21,22; 3:3,19) also comes the promise to “the one who conquers” (Rev. 2:7, 11,17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21) (22:7).
Maybe you want some extra motivation to overcome something you have been struggling with? Maybe you have wanted a way to overcome the world and all it’s troubles? Jesus did not temporarily escape from the troubles, but conquered them. Maybe if you believed what Jesus believed, you would live the way Jesus did? What did Jesus know that you don’t? Why did he never sin? Where does that power come from? How did he motivate so many people to deny themselves and pick up the cross? “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…” (Rev. 7:9). Is it time to wash your robe? “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22:14). Dan Peters