Christ's Promises

The Bible will always be the most encouraging book ever written.  The Word of God is the source from which we draw our hope and build our faith. The very promises of our Lord Jesus fuel our hopes and fire-up our faith. The Bible is the reference to which we must return again and again to make certain that the words we speak to others are not just idle words that flow from our human desire, but rather, are words that are in line with God's hopes and desires.

Our Lord has a few strengthening promises for faithful believers insistent upon going all the way with Him. Those who stay true to Jesus Christ and follow Him to the best of their ability will be those whom the Holy Spirit helps to overcome sin and evil. And what a promise lies ahead for those who overcome! 

    *  What is an Overcomer?

And Overcomer, in general is a person that believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (1Jn. 5:5), in other words a true believer.

1 John 5:4-5, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. [5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

John the Apostle clearly stated that the victory that triumphs over the world is our faith, and the one that overcomes the world is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God–true Christians.  The Believer’s faith allows him to overcome the World with all its temptation and allurements. Believers are not saved by their overcoming, but overcoming proves that their conversions are real.  In addition to this, believers are not to be overcome with evil, but are to have the victory over sin and evil.

Romans 12:21, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

    * Christians are Portrayed in the Bible as Victorious Conquerors Through Christ.

However, believers can be thankful to God, who, in Christ, always leads them in triumph (2 Cor 2:14). In fact, Christ has already publicly triumphed over the hostile principalities and powers (Col 2:15).

2 Cor. 2:14, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.   

Col. 2:15, And having spoiled principalities and powers, he [Jesus Christ] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I [Jesus Christ] have overcome the world.

Romans 8:37-39, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ overcame the world and His enemies when He gave His life at Calvary.  Therefore, in spite of all the troubles, opposition, and tribulations we may face for His names sake, we can rest assured that we are indeed on the winning side finally and ultimately.  Take courage and find renewed strength in the promises He leaves to inspire us on to be overcomers.

    John cited a number of these: 

These are blessed promises associated with believers experiencing all the fullness and richness of Heaven and eternal life.

   1.  The Promise of Eating from the Tree of Life (Rev. 2:7).

Rev. 2:7,  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.

True Believers Will Enjoy the Fullness of Heaven and Eternal Life in Fellowship With God.

In the new heaven and earth–most specifically the New Jerusalem–everyone will eat from “the tree of life” and will live forever (Rev. 22:2, 14). Eating from the tree of life pictures the gift of eternal life, eternal fellowship, and perpetual good health. In paradise God will restore the perfect fellowship that existed in the Garden of Eden before sin entered and ruined the relationship between people and God.

Rev. 22:2, In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  Rev. 22:14,

   2.  The Promise of Receiving the Crown of Life (Rev. 2:10).

Rev. 2:10, 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.

     A.  For Remaining Faithful to Christ When Facing Death.

The persecution would continue for "ten days," although it was intense, it would be relatively short and have a definite beginning and end. God was in complete control. The church was challenged to remain faithful to Christ even when facing death.

     B.  Believers Need Not Fear Death Because it Will Only Result in Their Receiving the Crown of Life.  Like the champions in athletic games received a crown– a victory wreath, so would those who have suffered for their faith receive "the crown of life" in God's kingdom– a special reward for martyrs. 

1 Peter 3:13-15, And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; [15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Thes. 3:2-4).

   3.  The Promise of Being Clothed in White Garments (Rev. 3:5)

Rev. 3:4-5, Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. [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.

Knowing this church's deeds, Christ had no good words to say. The believers may have thought they were a living and active church, but according to Christ they were dead. Like the city itself, the church in Sardis may have been trying to live on past glory.

        A.  White Garments Signify a Life That is Undefiled by Worldliness.  (Rev. 3:4)

The believer is to have a good godly testimony in this world. 

              1.   To be "clothed in white raiment" means to be set apart for God, cleansed from sin, and made morally and spiritually pure.  This was an incentive for the faithful few who remained steadfast in the Lord. 

              2.  The church at Sardis had compromised with the surrounding society to the point that they had become unconcerned about spiritual things and uncommitted to Christ. They were as good as asleep, so Jesus told them to wake up and repent. This church had grown worldly and was desperately in need of revival (Js. 1:27; 4:4).

        B.  White Garments Signify the Righteousness of Their Lives.

Rev. 7:13-15, And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? [14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.(Rev. 19:8),

The overcomer will receive a white garment which symbolizes the righteous activity of their lives and the full acceptance by the Lord Himself.  These Believers in Sardis, likewise were evidently, radiantly, expressly Christians in their testimony in spite of the great compromising surrounding them.

               1.  Take Hope in This Promise.

               2.  Take Heed to This Warning.

               3.  Be Steadfast in the Lord.

Every believer should choose a life of faith filled with spiritual activity and ministry.  Though it is possible for real believers to become backslidden and carnal, the nature of real faith demands continuation and perseverance in the spiritual walk for the glory of the Lord.  Therefore, the Word challenges us constantly to be faithful, uncompromising, and active in our commitments to Christ.   

1 Cor. 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Psalm 55:22, Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Several good inspirational and devotional books are available to Christians today. I certainly recommend that you be selective and read from those authors who love God's Word and help apply it to daily living in an accurate, encouraging, inspirational way. The Bible, however, will always remain the most encouraging book ever written.

Look to God and His Word daily to find the encouragements you need. Beloved, we need this to gain emotional strength for the trials of today by looking forward to the joys of Heaven.