“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). Rev. 2:17 To him who overcomes I will give to eat the hidden manna. What victory are we talking about here? To the overcomer I will give the morning star
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7).
Victory - that's probably one of the most desired, longed for the heart of every person. We want to defeat ourselves, our internal and external enemies. Spiritual life is a military field, a battlefield. Who or what are Christians called to fight?
The Church teaches that our enemies are the world, the flesh and the devil.
Under the flesh is meant our natural inclination to sin, passion, damage to all the forces of the soul, coarseness of the body. Our heart is often imagined as a nest where passion snakes are woven into a ball, emitting a disgusting hiss. An inattentive person considers himself good, pure, attentive and sincere - he is forced to state his dependence, subordination to the sinful elements of his nature. It is necessary to separate the concepts of sin as a single action, passion as a disposition, a tendency to a special kind of sins and states as a generalized direction of the spiritual component of a person.
The Holy Fathers, subtle connoisseurs of human souls, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, said that self-love, selfishness, selfishness lie at the basis of all vices. The image of the devil on the icon of the Last Judgment in the form of a dragon devouring himself perfectly illustrates selfhood as isolation on oneself. Selfishness gives rise to three sinful roots - voluptuousness, selfishness and love of glory, which, in turn, give an abundant growth of human passions: gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, despondency, vanity, pride. We all have in ourselves the sprouts of these sinful principles, which in essence are damaged soul forces. However, as the God-wise Fathers teach us, some passions predominate in some, others in others. Someone is overly hot-tempered, like dry hay on hot days. Someone suffers from spiritual relaxation, despondency. Someone suffers from an addiction to earthly, material values. To reveal the dominant passions in oneself and to start fighting them with the help of God is the task of our spiritual work. First of all, our attention must be riveted to them, the sword of our prayer must be drawn against them. Thus, a prudent physician begins first and to a greater extent to treat the disease that most torments the patient and threatens his health, is the cause of other ailments. In addition, it should be noted that the task of fighting passions is not to exterminate them as such, but to restore the damaged forces of the soul. That is why one speaks of virtues opposed to passions, that the struggle with the former is at the same time the acquisition of the latter.
By “world” one should understand not the people who surround us, but the totality of passions that reside in a secular society. Society becomes secular long before the formal separation from the Church. The germ of this is in the substitution of goals and meanings of life, priorities and values. Human passions, uniting, begin to sow temptation among pure souls, enticing them with their spirit from the Lord. The world wants to turn all people away from God, offering them masks, roles, scenes, stereotypes, illusions, filling people's hearts with soap bubbles. The world erects its own idols, personifying and embodying human vices. Look at what the television sings about, what secular newspapers write about, what songs the radio stations broadcast, what people talk about and what they devote most of their time to, and you will understand what "peace" is. The Christian is required to renounce the world. It is a dangerous delusion to regard renunciation of the world as merely the work of monks. The Holy Apostle John the Theologian, addressing all Christians, says: “Do not love the world, nor what is in the world: whoever loves the world does not have the love of the Father in him. For everything that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but from this world. And the world is passing away, and its lust, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Our task is to be in the world, not to belong to it, as one priest aptly noted. Although, of course, it is also required to protect our feelings so that the fallen world does not enter our heart through them.
"The prince of this world" calls the Revelation of God the devil. Fallen spirits are hardened in battle against man. According to St. Silouan of Athos, if it were not for the Lord, then one demon could turn the whole Universe upside down with a fingernail. Dark spirits act on us through thoughts, inclining us to apostasy from God, through imagination, replacing reality with deceit, through the flesh, inciting anger or carnal strife. Having failed on this front, the enemy uses men against us. I have heard many stories about how the closest relatives suddenly changed dramatically when a member of the family seriously came to God. Adult, reasonable and hitherto calm people (certainly not militant atheists) tore up icons in a fit of rage, shouted, blasphemed the Church. This is a rather difficult test, a Christian is called to overcome it with patience and love with prayer. Here you need to understand that it is the evil one who often pushes people to such inadequate actions, arousing bouts of unmotivated anger. If a dog is beaten with a stick, it begins to gnaw it, although it would be better to take up arms against the one who holds this stick. Thus, patristic thought teaches us to condescend to our neighbors and to reveal the action of fallen spirits.
We can learn in detail about how to conduct this difficult war with the world, the flesh and the devil from patristic works, such as “Invisible Warfare”, “The Ladder”, the works of Sts. » Ep. Peter (Ekaterinovsky), "The teaching of the holy fathers and ascetics of the Orthodox Church on the fight against the main sinful passions and on the virtues" G.I. Shimansky, "Modern practice of Orthodox piety" N.E. Pestov. In these books, the experience of Orthodox asceticism (that is the name of the science of conquering in church language) is disclosed most systematically and consistently. It is worth noting that the one who seeks salvation will not find ready-made recipes in books. This path is acquired by each Christian individually through the practical experience of asceticism, and not by the method of blind mechanical copying or dreaming about oneself. Under the obligatory condition that this experience be based on the Tradition of the Church, it is personal, original and in some way unique, just like every human soul is unique. One should not be afraid of the words "asceticism", "austerity", etc. It is worth recalling the famous words of Rev. Simeon the New Theologian, that a person who does not set holiness as the goal of his life is a heretic. The main principle in spiritual warfare is the principle of synergy, cooperation between man and God, our aspirations and grace. One ascetic correctly noted that in Orthodoxy there is no concept of “self-improvement”. “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), “what is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27), says Holy Scripture. Only by the power of God is it possible to overcome our enemies, to acquire virtues, and we must intensely and constantly seek this strength in order to win and conquer. This is the essence of Christian asceticism.
He who has an ear, let him hear. - All people have a bodily ear, but only a spiritual person acquires a spiritual ear; such, for example, was the prophet Isaiah (8, 5). Such a person, who overcomes the temptations of demons, promises to give to eat from tree of life, that is, to make a partaker of the blessings of the future age. − The tree of life allegorically means eternal life; and both are Christ, as Solomon and the same Apostle said in another place: the former, speaking of Wisdom, said that she is belly tree(Prov. 3, 18), and the latter speaks of Christ like this: “He is the true God and the eternal life”(I John 5:20). - If we want to achieve it, then, I pray you, we will correct life, and we will conquer passions. For in any case, rewards will follow for labors, according to the grace and love of mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, glory now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
St. Methodius of Patara
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
<…>foolish fell into error, not understanding (what is said here) about tree of life which formerly grew in paradise, but now the Church has grown for everyone, which brings forth the beautiful and beautiful fruit of faith. This is the fruit we must bear when we come on the first day of the feast to the Judgment Seat of Christ. If we do not have this fruit, then we will not celebrate with God and, according to John, let us not have part in the first resurrection(Revelation 20:6) . For tree of life is the firstborn of all Wisdom. She is- says the prophet, - tree of life for those who acquire it(Proverbs 3:18), and a stronghold for those who lean on it as on the Lord; a tree planted by streams of water, which bears its fruit in its season(Ps 1:3) : that is, teaching and wisdom delivered at the proper time to those who come to the waters of redemption. And the one who did not believe in Christ, who did not know that He is the beginning and the tree of life, who cannot show God his tabernacle adorned with the most beautiful of beautiful fruits, how will he celebrate? how will you have fun? Do you want to know the beautiful fruit of this tree? Look at the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how they are more beautiful than the words of men? Beautiful fruit sprouted through Moses - the law; but it was not as beautiful as the Gospel; for that was only a type and shadow of future things, but this is the truth and grace of life. The fruit of the prophets was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the fruit of incorruption cultivated from this (Gospel).
Feast of ten virgins.
Shmch. Viktorin Petavisky
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Apringii
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
He spoke about the work of the Church and gave a description of the perversity of the heretics. Now, exhorting the weak to repentance, He promises those who overcome the reward for their labor, so that when they enter Paradise, they can freely eat from the tree of life, because of which Adam was expelled from paradise so that he would not eat anything from him. Therefore He says: which is in the midst of the paradise of my God where the spirit breathes life, where mysteries are in power, and where God produces the fruit of the tree of life, eternal and unfading.
Treatise on Revelation.
Tertullian
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
By whom is the competition held, if not by those who set up the wreath and awards? Read about the announcement of such a contest in the Apocalypse; for these rewards He calls to victory especially those who have actually triumphed in persecution, having overcome when they fought in deed, not against flesh and blood, but against the spirits of wickedness. Acknowledge, therefore, that the Organizer of the competition and the Judge who calls for the reward are one and the same. All that is achieved in persecution is the glory of God, who approves and condemns, uplifts and casts down.
About fleeing during persecution.
Tikoniy
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Let the overcomer eat from the tree of life that is, from the fruit of the cross, which, as He says, is in the paradise of my God. And under paradise one can understand the Church, for everything was brought into an image, and, according to the teaching of the apostle, Adam preceded the Coming One by a shadow. Indeed, tree of life- the wisdom of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was hung on the cross, who both in the Church and in spiritual paradise gives the faithful life food and the sacrament of Heavenly Bread, about which you can read: She is the tree of life for those who acquire her.(Proverbs 3:18) .
Fragments.
Ecumenion
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
having an ear, that is, obedient and obedient to divine laws, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He said Spirit, either because under the influence of the Spirit the visions of the book of Revelation arose, or he called Christ the Spirit, since He is God and is recognized by God, just as He [does not] reject the name Son of Man, since He is a man and is recognized as a man. For according to the universal affirmation, Divinity is Spirit, as the Lord Himself said to the Samaritan woman: God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
Rewards for the victors (Rev. 2-3)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes I will give to eat oftree of life , whichin the middle paradise of God... (Rev. 2:7)
… I'll give youcrown of life . He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: He who overcomeswill not be harmed by the second death … (Rev. 2:10-11)
He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes I will give to eathidden manna and give himWhite stone and written on stonenew name , which no one knows except the one who receives ... (Rev. 2:17)
Who wins ... to that I will givedominion over the pagans ... and give himmorning star . He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 2:26-29)
He who overcomes will put onwhite clothes ; andI will not blot out his name from the book of life, andI confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches... (Rev. 3:5-6)
I will do what they (persecutors)will come andbow before your feet , andknow that I have loved you … I will make a conquerorpillar in the temple of my God, and he will not go out any more; and write on itthe name of my God andcity name my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, andMy new name . He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches... (Rev. 3:9-13)
I advise you to buy from megold cleansed by fire, that you may be rich, andwhite clothes to put on and not show the shame of your nakedness, and eye salveanoint your eyes to see... If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and I willhave dinner with him and he is with me. To the victorious ladies … He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 3:18-22)
I. INTRODUCTION
Revelation 1-3 is a unique and significant passage in the Bible. In it, Jesus gives us more details about our potential eternal rewards and also reveals more of His name than in any other place in Scripture.
Jesus is not talking to believers about accepting salvation, but about receiving eternal rewards. These nrewards are not automatically given to all believers, but only to those who fulfill specific conditions. They are given in varying degrees, depending on the obedience of the Christian. There are various levels of fulfillment of these rewards both in this age and in the next: Rev. 2:7 (22:2,14); open 2:10 (22:2,14); open 2:11 (20:14; 21:8); open 2:17 (19:9); open 2:26-28 (19:14-15); open 3:4 (19:8,14); open 3:5 (20:12,15; 21:27); open 3:8 (22:16); open 3:9 (21:23-26); open 3:10 (4-19); open 3:11 (21:2,10); open 3:20 (19:9); open 3:21 (20:4).
Speaking of these rewards, Jesus called us to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, because special care and revelation of the Spirit are needed to understand their full meaning. It takes more than showing interest in each of these awards.
II. PUT ON WHITE (Rev. 3:5)
However, you have a few in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and will walk with Me in white garments, for they are worthy. Winningput on white clothes … (Rev. 3:4-5)
White robes are not the same as the freely available gift of righteousness. Justification is a gift that is given by faith and is based on the merit of Jesus, not our merit (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:4-7). Our garments begin with the gift of righteousness, which is imputed to us by faith (2 Cor. 5:21). But these garments express the commitment of each believer. They differ with every believer according to his life in this present age.
And it was given to her to put on the fine linenclean andlight ; is there a linenthe righteous deeds of the saints (Rev. 19:8, KJV)
Word"white" says that these clothes are light and bright. Greek word "leukos” (white) can be translated as “shining or shining” (Matt. 17:2; Rev. 3:4,5; 6:11; 7:9,13; 19:14). It emphasizes how light and shining the believer's clothes will be.
And he was transfigured before them: and his face shone like the sun, and his garments becamewhite as light. (Mat. 17:2)
you dress uplight like a robe ... (Ps. 103:2)
Clothed in pure andlight linen clothes and girded on the Persians with golden belts. (Rev. 15:6)
New Jerusalem will shine with a bright jasper (diamond) like light (Rev. 21:11).
It shone like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone,pure as crystal. (Rev. 21:11, KJV)
The colors inherent in God and His throne are transmitted by the color of stones of jasper, sardis, emerald and sapphire.
This Sitting One looked like a stonejasper (diamond)andsardis (red); and a rainbow around the throne, similar in appearanceemerald (emerald). (Rev. 4:3)
There was a semblance of a vault, like a viewamazing crystal ... And above the vault ... there was a semblance of a throne in appearance, as if fromsapphire stone … (Ezekiel 1:22,26)
All clothes will differ in the degree of brightness and brilliance. The clothes will be varied, and each will have a unique design, a unique selection of fabrics, colors and fragrances. Everything will depend on our status and position in the Spirit in the coming age. Each person will have a story in God and will receive clothing that expresses the quality of their commitment to Jesus while on earth.
Another glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, another of the stars; and a star from a stardiffers in glory.So it is with the resurrection of the dead … (1 Cor. 15:41-42)
And they will be reasonableshine like lights in the firmament, and turning many to the truth -like stars forever , forever and ever. (Dan. 12:3)
Then the righteousshine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father... (Mat. 13:43)
Jesus rewards a righteous life with heavenly garments. Here He speaks of practical righteousness or works of righteousness. There are eight references in the book of Revelation to our clothing in the age to come (Rev. 3:4-5,18; 16:15; 19:7-8).
White and/or light-coloured clothing is only one element of our clothing in the coming age.
A great multitude of people ... from all ... peoples and languages, stood before the throne and before the Lamb inwhite robes … These are those who came from the great tribulation; theywashed clothes their own andwhitewashed their garments with the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9-14)
Our clothes will differ depending on the event in which we will participate. For example, a prince or king dresses up depending on the upcoming event. One clothes - for the home, the other - for official receptions, the third - for military functions with the heads of other states. In one case, he dresses in full parade and regalia, in another he dresses in casual clothes, in the third he observes the dress code on the occasion of a wedding celebration.
Priestly garments in the Old Testament give us an understanding of the value that God places on clothing and how it symbolizes spiritual things. God designed clothes to be beautiful and show His glory. He gave a specific command regarding the clothing of priests (Ex. 28:1-43). This clothing consisted of separate parts (lower dress, belt, bandage, upper chasuble, ephod, breastplate, tunic, kidar, belt and crown).
And make holy garments for Aaron your brother,glory and splendor … Make clothes for Aaronhis dedications to be a priest to Me. Here are the clothes they should make:confidant , ephod , upper chasuble , chiton tie-down,kidar andbelt ... Headbands make them for glory and splendor ... And make thembottom dress linen ... from the loins to the shins. (Ex. 28:2-4, 40-42)
Take silver and gold and makeskillful crown and put it on the head of Jesus... the high priest. (Zech. 6:11, KJV)
Priestly robes during the Old Testament had different colors (red, blue, purple, white, etc.). The breastplate was worn over the ephod, which had armours with onyx stones. The ephod was put on under the lower dress, then they put on the upper chasuble with a belt.
III. BUY WHITE CLOTHING(Rev.3:18)
I advise you to buy from me ...white clothes to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness is not seen... (Rev. 3:18)
To be naked or ashamed in eternity is to forfeit the reward of heavenly clothing. All believers have a garment of righteousness, and yet Jesus warns us of the shame of being naked, or "lack of the reward of additional clothing," which shows a person's dedication to Jesus in this present age.
Blessed...storing his clothes, so that he does not gonaked and not to be seenshame his. (Rev. 16:15)
Abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may haveconfidence and notbe ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28, KJV)
IV. GET THE CROWN OF LIFE(OTKR. 2:10)
Be faithful to death, and I will give youcrown of life. (Rev. 2:10)
This is not the same as the gift of eternal life, which all born-again believers automatically receive by faith. This crown does not refer to salvation, but to our place of functioning in His kingdom (government/infrastructure). God will give this crown only to those believers who are worthy of it. This reward includes an increased ability to experience and communicate God's life or glory in the coming age.
Blessed is the man whoendures temptation, becausetested (found consistent), he will getcrown of life that the Lord promisedloving Him. (James 1:12)
There are nine references in the New Testament to the crown that a believer can receive from the Lord. Twice this crown is described as"crown of life" (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10); once - like"crown of truth" or"crown of righteousness" ( KJV) (2 Tim. 4:8) and once - as"crown of glory" (1 Pet. 5:4). The different names refer rather to different distinctions of the same reward (1 Cor. 9:5; Rev. 3:11; 4:8).
There are two Greek words describing two different kinds of crowns in the New Testament. Pethe first is the crown of the ruler (Greek “diadem""), and the second - the crown of the winner (Greek. "stephanos”), who won the race during the athletic games in ancient Greece. The Greek word "stephanos" is used in Rev. 2:10; Jacob. 1:12.
The crown of life is a special reward directly for enduring persecution, which you put onGives a person the ability to experience more and more of the glory of God (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
For our short-term light sufferingproduces eternal glory in immeasurable excess … (2 Corinthians 4:17)
For I think that the present temporal sufferings are worth nothing in comparison with thatthe glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:18)
V. GET AUTHORITY OVER THE GENTIANS (Rev. 2:26-27)
… I will give thatdominion over the pagans and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; like earthen vessels they will be broken... (Rev. 2:26-27)
This refers to ruling during the Millennial Kingdom (Luke 19:11-27; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21). Some Christians will have more power than others (2 Cor. 5:10). Hthe reward for faithfulness in resisting immorality is to reign with Christ in His earthly kingdom. Not all believers will reign in the Millennium.
The faithful will rule the nationsiron wand and crush them into small pieces like clay pots. David prophesied this about the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus (Ps. 2:8-9). Iron is a symbol of indestructible and unshakable government. Nations will be smashed to pieces as easily as an earthenware pot is shattered by an iron rod.( open 12:5; 19:15). Jesus will make them His partners in all the vicissitudes of the overthrow and restoration of entire nations.
VI. SHOW THE POWER OF JESUS (Rev. 3:21)
To the victorious ladiessit with me on my throne … (Rev. 3:21)
This promise is offered to all Christians in the Millennium(Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 20:4). Jesus promised the apostles that they would sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:29-30).
VII. TO BE A PILLAR IN GOD'S TEMPLE (Rev. 3:12)
… I will dopillar in the temple my God, and he will not go out again. (Rev. 3:12)
The purpose of Jesus is clearly seen in His desire to give us a position of authority in His government as pillars. To be a pillar means to hold a leading position of power and honor in the Millennium. All believers are part of God's spiritual temple (Eph. 2:21-22). But some will be the pillars that take the place of power, responsibility and honor in the Millennium.
Jacob and Cephas (Peter)and John, reveredpillars … (Gal. 2:9)
The role of the pillars, i.e. columns, is to support the weight of the building. They also serve to decorate buildings, giving them a special beauty. In addition, they have a social significance, honoring those who have performed feats of courage, kindness and love. The columns are strong, so they talk about stability. They are the "standard-bearers" of the City of Jesus, as the seraphim are the guards at the throne of God.
Columns decorate the building and at the same time bear its weight and remind of thedirty great deeds.
In the ancient world, when someone served his city in a special way, aor a column, they printed the name of this person on it and installed it in the temple. In ancient times, columns were built to honor people. Jacob erected a pillar as a memorial on Rachel's tomb (Gen. 35:20). God will allow "pillars of remembrance" in honor of great devotion to the Lord as pillars in Egypt during the Millennium (Isaiah 19:19).
The names of the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 apostles will be written in the New Jerusalem.
It has a large and high wall, it has twelve gates ... on the gates are writtennames of the twelve tribes the sons of Israel ... The wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on themthe names of the twelve apostles lamb . (Rev. 21:12-14)
The pillars in God's earthly temple and tabernacle give us an understanding of this promise. Solomon placed two large brass pillars in the porch of the Temple and gave them personal names (1 Kings 7:13-21; 1 Kings 7:15-22; 2 Chr. 3:17). One pillar he named Jachin (stability) and the other Boaz (force). Perhaps they were huge"burning altars" , whereincense was burned to God. Each pillar had a draining bowl of oil at the top so that they could function as lamps (1 Sam. 7:41; Zech. 4:3). They were decorated with gold, chains, pomegranates and lilies. These huge incense altar pillars lit up the façade of the Temple, reminiscent of the two beautiful and glorious pillars of fire and cloud that led Israel through the wilderness. The pillars of cloud and fire were the moving pillars that guided Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21-22; 14:19-24; 33:9).
VIII. GET WHITE STONE
WITH A NEW NAME WRITTEN ON IT (Rev. 2:17)
I will give himWhite stone and written on stonenew name which no one knows except the one who receives. (Rev. 2:17)
Gems were given as a reward to honor those who served the community in an outstanding manner or showed courage and heroism in battle. Those who were given such stones were also granted special privileges, such as being awarded a gold medal. A white stone inscribed with a person's name gave him access to special events, including games and celebrations organized by the authorities of the Roman Empire.
And they will be Mine… the day I make them My jewels. (Mal. 3:17, KJV)
This stone(Greek "pshfos”) referred to precious stones (diamonds). White (Greek "leukos"") means "radiant or shining" (Mat. 17:2; Rev. 3:4-5; 6:11; 7:9,13; 19:14). This may refer to various degrees of honors and privileges at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. We will all have a different position during the great feast of Jesus. The overcomer will receive a new name that will indicate his place in the kingdom and describe his relationship with Jesus.
Written on stone new name that no one knows except the one who gets - the believer will be given a special name to reflect his fidelity, character and role in the Millennial Kingdom (Is. 62:2; 65:15; Rev. 19:11-16; Rev. 14:1; Canto P. 1:3; Acts 15:17). The new name will be written on a white stone, which is equivalent to receiving a gold medal. Just as parents give their child a name that expresses their love for him, so Jesus will give His faithful followers names that will reveal His feelings towards them.
The new name reflects the person's unique relationship with Jesus and whetherindividuality (Gen. 32:28; Is. 62:2; 65:15). Simon was renamed Peter, which spoke of his character and position as a rock. Abram's name was changed to Abraham to signify that he would be the father of a multitude (Gen. 17:5-15). God changed Sarah's name. Jacob was renamed Israel to show that he was a prince with God (Gen. 32).
IX. GET MORNING STAR(Rev. 2:28)
And I will give him the morning star... (Rev. 2:28)
"Morning Star" refers to Jesus (Num. 24:17-19). We are promised a deep relationship with Jesus. Jesus as the Morning Star is an expression that His face is like the sun (Rev. 1:16).
I, Jesus...star light andmorning. (Rev. 22:16)
The morning star is the brightest star in the sky (the planet Venus), which is visible just before the dawn of a new day. To receive the morning star also means to receive a greater understanding of the prophetic scriptures. The reward in this age is that Jesus is releasing more of His presence and giving more prophetic light as the tribulation intensifies and the new millennium day draws closer and closer. Jesus will shine to brighten our spirits and quicken us in love.
We havesurest prophetic word ; and you do well to address him as to a lamp shining in a dark place,how long the day will not begin to dawn and will not risemorning Star in your hearts... (2 Pet. 1:19)
X. RECEIVE THE HIDDEN MANNA(Rev. 2:17)
To the victorious I will give to eathidden manna (Rev. 2:17)
The hidden manna speaks of having an increased ability to be fed by revelation from the Word in this age and the age to come. This manna will be given to us in full at the Wedding Supper. During the great tribulation, God's people will obviously receive natural"manna" in the wilderness (Rev. 12:6,14).
The manna was hidden only after it had been placed in the golden vessel in the ark of theeta in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 16:32-36; Heb. 9:1-5). Only the high priest could see this hidden manna once a year, on the Day of Atonement, when he entered the Holy of Holies. God supernaturally provided manna or"angel's bread" (Ps. 77:19-25). Jesus is the true manna from heaven (John 6:48-51). The overcomer is promised full enjoyment of what he has already tasted to some extent.
XI. DO NOT ERASE OUR NAME BUT CONFESS IT BEFORE THE FATHER (Rev. 3:5)
AndI will not blot out his name from the book of life , andI confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (Rev. 3:5)
And I will not blot out his name from the book of life - does not refer to the loss of a person's salvation, but to not losing the honor that his name has been awarded. A person's name and character are one and the same reality for God. Something similar existed in the tradition of the ancient world, where records were kept of the affairs of citizens by the city registry. This concerned the payment of taxes, noble deeds or crimes committed, etc.
Jesus promises not to erase the “records” of righteous deeds if a person repents of his spiritual deadness and walks in the dedication he had in the past.stunned. Jesus will tell the Father stories of our love and commitment that will be repeated many times throughout eternity.
The books in heaven contain a wealth of information about our lives, including our words andate.
But those who fear God say to each other: “The Lord listens and hears this, and before His face it is writtenmemorial book those who fear the Lord and honor his name." (Mal. 3:16)
Our good deeds are recorded in heaven, but they are erased if we turn away from them. Ezekiel taught that the righteous who turn away from their righteousness will die. This gives us an understanding of how God "remembers and forgets." God "remembers with consequences" the good we continue to do to the end. He « forgets» then good, from whom we turned away.
And if the righteous depart from his righteousness and act lawlessly...he will not remember his righteous deeds, which he did … (Ezekiel 3:20)
And the righteous, if he departs from his righteousness and acts unrighteously ... all his good deeds, which he did, will not be remembered ... (Ezekiel 18:24)
When I tell the righteous that he will live, and he trusts in his own righteousness and does a lie, thenall his righteous deeds will not be remembered ... I will judge ... each according to his ways. (Ezekiel 33:13-20)
Even eternal rewards can be lost.
Behold, I am coming soon; keep what you havelest anyone take your crown. (Rev. 3:11)
Whoever's business that he built will stand, hewill receive an award . And whoever's business will burn, hewill suffer damage ; however, he himself will be saved, but so, as if from fire. (1 Cor. 3:14-15)
Watch over yourselves, lest we lose what we have labored for, but that we may receive the full reward. (2 John 8)
Jesus confesses the believer's name before His Father and His angels. This does not apply toreceiving salvation, but to a public recognition of a person's faithfulness. Jesus will speak about our deeds, deeds and obedience before the Father.
His master said to him:Good , good and faithful servant ! In a little you were faithful, over many youI will put ; enter into the joy of your master." (Matt. 25:21)
The Reformation put a glorious emphasis on the truth of justification by faith as a way of receiving the freely available gift of righteousness (Rom. 3:21-31; 2 Cor. 5:17-21). This is the ONLY way to be accepted into God's Kingdom and the way to enter the New Jerusalem. Many people, however, misunderstand this glorious truth and think that all believers receive the same eternal reward, regardless of our degree of consecration to God.
XII. TO BE JUSTIFIED BEFORE YOUR PERSECUTORS (Rev. 3:9)
I will do what they (persecutors)they will come and bow before your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. (Rev. 3:9)
I will make them...know that I am loved you The Father will reveal to the nations the fact that He loves His people. On the last day, unbelievers will witness the love of Jesus for those they persecuted. Jesus will show His love for His Bride before the eyes of the persecutors. An expression of His deep love is the desire to show His love openly and make it known at the last day. The Father will also openly show His love for His children in front of the Gentiles.
I in them and You in Me; let them be perfected in one, andlet the world know that you sent me andloved them as you have loved me. (John 17:23)
I will make them come and bow before your feet – Jesus will show His zeal for His faithful people by acknowledging and justifying them before those unbelievers who persecuted them. An expression of deep love is the desire to stand up for a loved one who has been treated unfairly. Those who persecuted the saints in Philadelphia will worship Jesus at the feet of those they persecuted. These unbelieving false Jews, along with unbelieving Gentiles, will do justice to the true believers in the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 45:14; 49:23; 60:14; Zech. 8:20-23). They will kneel before Jesus in the presence of the people they persecuted in the first century.
And they will cometo you with humility sons of those who oppressed you, andfall at the soles of your feet, all who despised you, and they will call you the city of the Lord. (Isaiah 60:14)
Every person will kneel before Jesus on the last day.
So that before the name of Jesusevery knee bowed heavenly and earthly ... and every tongue confessed that the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father ... (Phil. 2:10-11)
XIII. PERSONAL REVELATION OF GOD'S HEART (Rev. 3:12)
And write on itthe name of my God and the name of the city of my God,new Jerusalem descending from heaven from my God, andmy new name. (Rev. 3:12)
The greatest place of intimacy available to the human spirit is when Jesus wrote on the heart and mind of His faithful man the name of the Father, the New Jerusalem, and His new name.
God will write His Word on our hearts and minds (2 Cor. 3:3), just as He wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone (Ex. 31:18).
"Herecovenant (promise)which I will bequeath to them ... I will put My laws (Word)inhearts them (emotions),and inthoughts them (intelligence)write them…" (Heb. 10:16)
Thoughts: release the spirit of revelation and living understanding into our minds.
A heart: empower our emotions until we feel the power of His Word along with holy desires.
And write on it the name of my God - to have the name of God on us means that we are the recipients of His love, power and partnership, as well as the revelation of His heart and beauty. Having God's name on us speaks of a deep revelation of His heart and mind given to us. Aaron the high priest wore on his forehead a golden tablet engraved with the words "HOLY TO THE LORD" (Ex. 28:36-38). The saints also have the seal of the name of Jesus on their foreheads (Rev. 7:1; 14:1). God's name will be written on their foreheads (Rev. 22:4).
And they will seehis face , andHis name will be on their foreheads (Rev. 22:4)
XIV. PERSONAL REVELATION OF GOD'S CITY (Rev. 3:12)
And I will write on it ... the name of the city of my God,new Jerusalem descending from heaven from my God. (Rev. 3:12)
Jesus will give the faithful power in the City and the ability to embrace it. Some people are given the key to the city or are called city fathers to honor them for who they are to that city. This indicates their extraordinary power, dedication to this city and understanding of it.
XV. PERSONAL REVELATION OF THE SON OF GOD (Rev. 3:12)
And write on itmy new name. (Rev. 3:12)
Jesus will reveal His heart and beauty to those who will be faithful to Him. The new name of Jesus speaks of a fuller revelation of His nature as the God-Man, as seen in Revelation 19:12.
He hadname written, whichnobody knew except for Himself. (Rev. 19:12)
XVI. BUY GOLD REFINED IN GOD'S FIRE (Rev. 3:18)
I advise you to buy from megold cleansed by fire, that you may be rich. (Rev. 3:18)
The gold of godly character enriches us in this age by softening our hearts so we can feel more of God's love and increasing our desire for God and His righteousness.
Toyour tested faith turned out to be more precious ... gold tested by fire, to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ ... (1 Pet. 1:7)
Beloved! Don't shy away from the fiery temptation sent to test you, as strange adventures for you ... (1 Pet. 4:12)
Refined gold does not appear easily or without fire. Gold must first be mined, and then subjected to fire. Gold refined by fire is obtained due to costly and blazy process of extracting impurities.
He is likemelting fire ... and sit downmelt down and purify silver , andcleanse sons ... and will refine them like gold and like silver, that they may offer sacrifices to the Lord in righteousness. (Mal. 3:2-3)
Purchasing gold and "becoming rich" speaks volumes for more than what is in our hearts in this age. It also speaks of eternal gold or treasures that we will see in heavenly homes, crowns, clothing, etc. God talks about our status (kingdom or rewards/insignia) which expresses a certain attitude (like a wedding ring in marriage) and what will be used in our eternal dwellings and heavenly clothes (Ps. 44), but does not refer to heavenly money.
Does anyone build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble... (1 Cor. 3:12)
Gold is only one facet of our eternal reward, but it is real. This is eternal goldgiven to us in accordance with the degree of our love and obedience.
XVII. RECEIVE THE ANOINTING FOR REVELATION (Rev. 3:18)
I advise you ... eye ointmentanoint your eyes to see. (Rev. 3:18)
People applied eye medicine (eye ointment) to their eyes to cure eye disease. The famous Medical School at Laodicea produced a "medicinal powder" that was used as an eye salve. This Phrygian powder was applied to the eyes as a pasty paste.
Jesus said that we must take action to heal our spiritually ill eyes. Only the Holy Spirit can give us a revelation about Jesus and His Word. But at the same time, we can take natural steps to take the time to read the Word and turn our eyes away from the worthless things that dull our spirits.
XVIII. PROXIMITY With by JESUS(Rev. 3:20)
I will go to him andhave dinner with him and he is with me. (Rev. 3:20)
I will go to him , and will have dinner with him and he is with me – the supper speaks of intimacy or deep fellowship as the Spirit softens our hearts to feel more of His love, increasing our revelation of Jesus and zeal for righteousness. The eternal embodiment of this refers to the marriage feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9; Luke 22:16,29,30; Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25).
XIX. EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE WHICH IS IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE (Rev. 2:7)
Let the overcomer eat from the tree of life, whichin the middle paradise of God. (Rev. 2:7)
All believers will be fed from the Tree of Life. But, obviously, there will be a special privilege to eat from that tree, which"in the middle" heaven of God.
Adam walked with God in the middle of the Garden of Eden.
… the tree of Life in the middle Raya … (Gen. 2:9)
The Tree of Life will grow in the middle of the street and on both banks of the River.
In the middle of his street, and on either side of the river,tree of life bears fruit twelve times...and the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations... (Rev. 22:2)
Those who keep His commandments are entitled totree of life … (Rev. 22:14)
XX. BE HARMED BY THE SECOND DEATH (Rev. 2:11)
Winningwill not be harmed by the second death. (Rev. 2:11)
The second death is eternal separation from God (Rev. 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8). The first death is the death of the physical body, when the unbeliever's spirit goes to hell.
The believers in Smyrna suffered human, financial, and physical damage while remaining faithful to Jesus. Jesus assured them that although the first death would "hurt" them a little, the second death would not harm them at all! On the most terrible day, when the time comes for the second death to take effect, everyone will see that the deeds that have been done in faithful love for Jesus will not fail. It is then that the persecutors will see in all their fullness what they have lost by persecuting the Church. The second death will be a "cardinal turning point" in history, when righteousness will be considered as something wise, and sin as something terrible. Jesus assures those who are persecuted that they are not in danger of suffering eternal loss.
XXI. OUR RESPONSE
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in tohim and I willhave dinner with him and he is with me. (Rev. 3:20)
I stand at the door and knock – Jesus is constantly calling us to draw close to His heart while He patiently waits for us. Jesus can open all doors (Rev. 3:7-8) except the doors of our heart. He will not force us against our will or suppress it. Babout The majority of the Church is satisfied to bear His name and do His work without His presence among them.
If a who hear my voice and open the door Jesus invites all those who hear. You haven't gone too far.There is still hope and opportunity for you to reclaim what was lost.
I once heard a preacher give various examples of how he thought we should overcome temptation. “Suppose,” he said, “that you have a drinking problem. You drive up to a liquor store and buy a bottle of wine. Then you return to the car, open the bottle and bring it to your mouth. And suddenly you realize that you have fallen into temptation!”
That's for sure!
The preacher continued, “Suppose now that you are addicted to drugs. You meet with a drug dealer and buy a pack of the strongest drug from him. Then you return home, take out the syringe, heat the mixture, and as soon as you are about to stick the needle, you suddenly realize that you have fallen into temptation. What will you do?
Perhaps one of our biggest problems with temptation is that we wait for the moment described by this preacher and only then try to decide what to do. But it's too late! If sin is born in the mind, in the assumption that we have ceased to trust Christ and our connection with Him is lost, then the temptation has already taken place and we have succumbed to it much earlier. If sins are not only unrighteous actions, but also unrighteous thoughts, intentions, and desires (as we have already discussed in previous chapters), then we succumbed to temptation even before we went to the liquor store or to the drug dealer and. Temptation became sin at the moment of agreeing with it in thought. The planning of sin and its actual implementation followed as the inevitable result of the sin that had already taken place.
The book “The Sermon on the Mount of Christ” says the following: “When a person falls into a serious sin at the moment of temptation, he only reveals and makes clear the evil that for the time being was hidden from the eyes in the depths of his soul. “What are the thoughts in his soul, such is he”; for from the heart are "the fountains of life" (Prov. 23:7; 4:23)."
If you failed in a math exam, the reason for this was that at one time you did not care about studying the multiplication table or neglected everyday problem solving. If you suddenly discover a shortage in your bank account, then in reality the problem occurred when you either added or subtracted incorrectly when writing checks. If you're drowning in the deepest part of a swimming pool, it's because you haven't learned to float by swimming at shallow depths.
The strong man uses all sorts of ways to resist sin at the moment of temptation. The weak one tries the same tricks and finds that they are all equally useless. It's not about finding the right words during temptation, or the right prayer, or the right psalm. The most important thing is to find the Source of strength, so that at the moment of temptation the Spirit of the Lord will stand up for your protection.
Any attempt to squeeze the right behavior out of ourselves at the critical moment of temptation leads to focusing on ourselves, which leads us to a dead end. The only way to resist sin and the devil is to look to Jesus and not to yourself. Even strong people find that when they are separated from Christ, all they can hope for is control over their actions. They cannot change the desires of their heart.
When Jesus approached His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane and found them sleeping, He told them, "Get up and pray that you do not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:46). Were they tempted at that moment? Perhaps they were tempted to sleep. But the reason for their failure during the temptations was that they neglected the power available to them from above. And when the decisive moment came, it was precisely because of this neglect that they all left Him and hid.
In Hebrews 4:16 we find the advice to come "with boldness to the throne of grace, that you may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." How often do we just talk about it instead of coming boldly to the throne of grace at the right time. Indeed, Jesus always accepts us whenever we turn to Him, but it is only through striving to find His mercy at the throne of grace now that we will have grace to help later when it is needed. He always offers forgiveness of sin, but if we are delivered from sin, it is only because we come to Him for His power before temptation arises. We win because we learn to abide in Christ day by day, every moment.
There are Bibles in which the words of Jesus Christ are highlighted in red. If you have such a Bible, then you will notice that in the Acts and Epistles of the Apostles there are very few verses highlighted in red, unlike the four Gospels. The writing of Acts and the epistles of the apostles was inspired by the same Holy Spirit, but here the story is not told from the face of Jesus Christ. The situation changes in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Here again Christ speaks on behalf of himself. Therefore, in this section, I would like to draw your attention to some truths from the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation. These chapters record an appeal to seven churches in Asia Minor. Jesus Himself dictated the letters to the apostle John, which He ordered to be sent to these churches along with the entire book. It is surprising how little attention is given to these messages of Jesus. I am familiar with the theory that these messages of Christ and the entire book of Revelation do not refer to us, but to future believers who will have to understand the meaning of what is written. We may not attach much importance to these messages and the book, since they are given to us only for our information. In the third appendix of this book, I give reasons why I believe this theory is false.
Continuing the theme of the letters themselves, I want to draw your attention to the fact that all seven letters end with a promise for those who overcome. Let's read these promises:
Revelation 2:7:
"To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Revelation 2:11:
"He who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death."
Revelation 2:17:
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”
Revelation 2:26-28:
« Who overcomes and keeps my works to the end to him I will give power over the Gentiles, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; like earthenware they will be broken, just as I have received authority from my Father; and I will give him the morning star.”
Revelation 3:5:
“He who overcomes will put on white clothes; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”
Revelation 3:12:
“He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will not go out any more; and I will write on it the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.”
And Revelation 3:21:
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
It is amazing what promises were given to him who overcomes, who keeps the commandments of Christ, who keeps the works of the Lord and endures to the end. However, many people believe that they do not need to win anything. They are convinced that everything has already been done in the distant past - at the moment of acceptance of faith. They also believe that the race of faith not only started the moment they believed, but also ended the moment they believed. If this were true reality, then Jesus would not need to talk about those who overcome. However, the Lord insists on the need to overcome. There will also be those who WILL NOT overcome, forfeiting the promised promises.
Take, for example, the promise recorded at Revelation 3:5:
“He who overcomes will put on white clothes; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”
Jesus promised that our names would not be removed from the book of life if we were victorious. Therefore, our names will be removed if we do not win. Inscribed in the book of life are the names of those to whom eternal life awaits (Philippians 4:3). They will dwell forever in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:27). Those who are not entered in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). In other words, only those people whose names are entered in the book of life will receive eternal life. Jesus makes it clear that new names can be written in the book of life, and the names of those who do not strive to overcome, who retreat, can also be removed. Thus, the entry of our names in the book of life does not mean that it cannot be removed. Anyone who does not overcome, backslide, and does not repent of it (see the subsequent study of Hebrews 6) will not be found in the book of life. I know that many are unwilling to hear this simple truth of God's Word. Personally, I am not ready to ignore her and try to justify my innocence.