At the end of the Lord’s words to each of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 the same phrase recurs: “He who overcomes ….” followed by a promise. From this we can learn that there is some overcoming to do no matter what church we belong to. We have two choices: we can either be overcome or we can be overcomers. One thing is for sure – we cannot remain neutral.
But what are we overcoming and how do we overcome? We are overcoming the same things Jesus overcame: the world, the flesh and the devil. This includes our own selfish desires, the temptations of the world and all the distractions and deceptions that the devil will throw at us.
How do we overcome? Not by our own strength, power, wisdom or ability. There is only one way – by the power of the Holy Spirit. This power does not come to us automatically just because we call ourselves Christians. It requires wholehearted seeking after God.
The instructions to the churches are clear: repent, persevere, be faithful, hold fast, watch, and in particular the exhortation at the end of each section – “he who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. It is vital that we are in constant communication with the Lord so that we can hear clearly what He is saying. My sheep hear my voice …
Only by immersing ourselves in the Word and the Spirit can we overcome in these last days. The good news is that “whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith”.