Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity. -Neil L. Andersen
The Book of Revelation is all about the pure and simple truths of mortality, hidden in a few symbolic analogies. If we just focus on the message, then the symbolism will become clear. Revelation is the great analogy used in books, movies, poems, and plays for centuries on end. It’s the battle between light and dark described in Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and every Disney movie ever written. They all have a “villain”, an adversary, who threatens to steal the peace, distrust the calm, and to rule with tyranny. Yet, goodness, and light can’t be destroyed by darkness as long as the characters are willing to keep the fight for right alive, as long as they refuse to blow out their candle and to stand for truth. We don’t have to wait for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to witness John’s prophecies of wickedness and darkness that will cover the earth. We only need to walk out the door, turn on the news, or listen to the ever-persistent devils swarming around each of us, hoping to break our light and to bring darkness into our world. In the same breath, we don’t have to wait for the Savior to come a second time to redeem us. He’s already here, right beside us, aiding our journey all along the way, fighting off the demons and keeping our flames of bright and alive. Christ is active in our lives as we choose to walk with him, as we put fuel on our flame of righteousness and ignite the fire of truth within our souls through scriptures, prayer, listening , and obeying. Our personal villains will fall to the waste side in frustration—due to our diligence, as we bring Christ to the center of our lives. This is the secret to enduring to the end and OVERCOMING—THE WORLD.
Revelation 1:5- ..Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood…he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him….I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.”
To overcome, we have to understand that our actions determine our character and conviction. How we act when no one else is looking, is key to know where our heart is. Christ is always aware of our actions. He sees our good deeds that go unnoticed by our fellow men, but he also sees out hidden sins. We may be able to fool the world, and even ourselves, but we cannot fool Christ. He sees us for who and what we truly are. “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience…I know they works, and charity, and service, and faith, and they patience, and thy works…I know they works, that thou hast a name that thou lives and art dead” (Revelation 2:2,19, 3:1) Along with knowing our hearts and actions, he also is fully and completely aware of the battle that we each face, and warns us to “Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain….If thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief.” Don’t be complacent or indecisive. Know who you are and be strong in that conviction. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot…thou art lukewarm.” We have to decide whether we are on God’s side or Satan’s. There are only two sides. We are either walking towards Christ or we are walking away. There is no middle ground, no neutral stand. Your light is either shining or it is off. (Revelation 2:2-3, 15-16)
“Let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon.” -Neal A. Maxwell
Christ is waiting for us to come to him. “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Once we open the door to Christ’s love and guidance, he will never shut it, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” (Revelation 3:8) We are free to walk in and out of the door–it is wide open–and the welcome within is warm and comforting. A place where the Savior himself will “sup” with us. This is the absolute best, because if we want to overcome the world, we must be fed by the one and only Christ himself, the living water and bread of life. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7) “I give to eat of the hidden manna.” (Revelation 2:17) Manna is the bread of life, that Christ offers to give us when we are exhausted and have nothing left, those times when we wonder how we can go on. There is always a little nourishing manna available through Christ’s atonement and His infinite love, which reaches beyond the bounds of mortal tribulations. It embraces us during the coldest of nights and bitterest storms.
Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
He beckons us to “Come and see.” (Revelation 6:1, 3) Come and see all the darkness and destruction, come and see the misery and pain. He wants us to beware of the lie that resides in Babylon. The path of darkness is full of deceit and is the destruction that will cause “silence in heaven” (Revelation 8:1) It is the “bottomless” pit that entangles us in guilt and shame. It is the things of the world, the treasure that rust and corrupt, it is the “happiness” that leaves us feeling alone and desperate. It is the addictions that chain us to the pit, it is the lawless acts that seemingly give us freedom but, instead, leave us feeling dark and distant. It is the extinguisher to our light and all light. It is wickedness that is portrayed as goodness. This is the “War in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,” resulting in “the great dragon—cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelations 12:7,9) Christ wants us to stay far way from those forces, to come inside, enter the door, and find the light that will guide us safely home. He wants us to OVERCOME THE WORLD.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
When we OVERCOME the world, we enter the Kingdom of God, which is in the world, but not of the world. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with all its saving powers, laws of love, and promises of exaltation. There is room enough for everyone who is willing to resist the powers of Satan, which only exist to the degree that we allow. Satan has no physical power over us. Every time we choose to labor with the Savior in the fields of righteousness we are putting up resistance to the powers of Satan. Every time we are patient with others, faithful during difficult trials, serve those in need, spread charity to those difficult to love we strengthen our resolve and out power to overcome the world. When we put our treasure in the gold of heaven, “buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see,” Revelation 3:18) that comes from those tribulations, repentance, and endurance.
Revelation 11:15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Overcoming the world comes with great promises. To be able to “eat from the tree of life,” and be given a “crown of life”, and name written on a white stone in heaven, never to be forgotten. (Revelation 2:7,10,17) The promises continue: those who overcome will be given “power over the nations,” to rule with the “rod of iron,” and given the companionship of the “morning star.” (Revelation 2:26-28) “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,” and “they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:4-5) “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 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. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:15-17) “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
Revelation 5:12 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
-Written by Sherri Jorgensen
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