Sermon Tone Analysis

*From Victims to Victors*

*(The Revelation of Overcoming)*

*Rev.

2:7, 10-11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12 & 21*

*Sermon*

*by*

*Timothy C. Glover*

*for*

*Pastoral Internship, FE 540*

*Rev.

Bruce Hoppe, Field Supervisor*

*Nov.

13, 1994*

\\ *From Victims to Victors*

*(The Revelation of Overcoming)*

*Rev.

2:7, 10-11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12 & 21*

 

*I.

Introduction*

 

            *A.

Review*

            Revelation is the last book in the Bible and deals with the subject of things yet to come - future things.

Jesus Christ reveals these things to the apostle John for the present benefit and future hope of all generations.

All shall be fulfilled as God unfolds his plan for the redemption of man from eternity past to eternity future.

His "kingdom shall come" as we are instructed to request in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:10.

*/ /*

            Over the past several weeks we have been privileged to hear a series of messages from Pastor Hoppe about the seven churches in Revelation.

We have heard the words of Jesus Christ directed toward them in praise, rebuke, counsel and warning regarding their attitudes and actions.

There seemed to be some common problems and yet each church was individually considered in its successes and failures in ministry.

The letters were written to each church as a whole and yet it is individual people in the church who must hear it.

We have heard much about what we are to overcome and what happens for failure, but Pastor has left the best for last and is graciously allowing me to preach it.

*B.

Illustration*

            The book of Revelation can be quite confusing with its futuristic language and its many symbols.

Since it talks of things yet to come it is hard to pinpoint exact meanings, and it can sometimes appear to be quite jumbled up.

Our understanding must come from the rest of Scripture since we have no future experience.

I am reminded about the story of the circuit rider preacher who interpreted the parable of the Good Samaritan:

 

The Circuit Rider

from:  "A Treasury of Readings and Poems"

by:  The Peoples Baptist Church, Centerville, Iowa

 

            *C.

Application*

                        This man's example of Scriptural interpretation is humorous in its misunderstanding and misapplication, but I hope that as a result of being here today you will see a single, over-riding truth emerge from the seven letters of Jesus Christ to the seven churches.

Today's theme is the positive promise from Jesus Christ at the end of each of these letters, "to him who overcomes".

It is about success in overcoming; what it is, how you get it and what it does for you.

The answer to each of these three questions is the same and we will revisit them in a little while.

But just as it is individuals in the church who must hear if they have ears (that cuts out a lot of excuses), it is individuals who must overcome, and it is individuals who will reap reward for overcoming.

\\  

*II.

Word Study*

 

            Since our theme is overcoming, let us take a closer look at the word.

The Greek word for "overcome" is */nikao/* and it is used 28 times in the N.T.

It means to conquer, overpower, prevail, triumph and be victorious.

More than half (17) of the usage of this word is found in the Book of Revelation alone, perhaps implying that victory is in some sense future.

But */nikao/* in John's writings elsewhere is synonymous with saving faith in Christ which we have now.

(*/1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world?

Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.)/* 

 

Overcomers are not a special group of Christians distinguished by their spirituality and power from other genuine Christians who lack these qualities.

The incentive to overcome is an eternal one and the overcomer is none other than the one who keeps on holding fast by faith.

This is a general designation for what is expected of all true believers, and the promises for overcoming belong to all true believers.

None of the seven uses of "overcomes" in these seven letters refers specifically to what we are to overcome, but victory over the problems that Christ condemns is implied.

Their thought is not that of victory finally achieved at the end of life, but rather the picture of a believer who from the beginning of his faith in Christ to the end of life stands victorious because he keeps on overcoming what the enemy has to offer.

The overcomer is promised full and final enjoyment of something of which he has already tasted.

This victory will be achieved in the new heaven and earth

 

*/(Revelation 21:7-8 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

This is the second death.")

/* 

 

The victory is future prophetic but Christ has won the victory already with his blood

*/ /*

*/(Revelation 12:11  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death./*/.*)*/

 

and it is already present as we have seen in:

*/ /*

*/(1 John 5:4-5  for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world?

Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.)/*

We have it now but not yet.

In fact, we haven't seen anything yet in comparison to what glory Christ shall yet reveal.

But what we have now in Christ is stupendous.

*III.

"To Him Who Overcomes"*

 

            What is the reward that overcomers will receive?

Let's take a quick look at the appropriate verses in the letters to the seven churches.

*A.

Ephesus*

 

*/Revelation 2:7 /*

*/He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God./*

 

            *B.

Smyrna*

 

*/Revelation 2:10-11 /*

*/Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death./*

*C.

Pergamum*

 

*/Revelation 2:17 /*

*/He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.

I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it./*

*D.

Thyatira*

 

*/Revelation 2:26-28 /*