GOD'S PEOPLE AND THEIR VICTORY

God's people may experience temporary defeats; they may experience recurring attacks and temptations. However, these verses demonstrate that the genuine child of God will have active resistance against those trials, empowered by the life that Christ has placed within him. He won't passively allow trials - or even failures - to rule his life.

We need to remember that, if Christ's life is present in a person, it will express itself. This victory is both a fact and an obligation. It is absurd to think of victory as merely optional - as though we had no obligation to strive for it!

VICTORY AS A FACT

A. Victory over the evil one, the Devil, the "accuser"

1. It is already accomplished: The "young men" have overcome / had victory over the evil one, because the Word of God is living in them - 1 John 2:13-14.

   • The "young men" are those who are strong and active in living-out their lives in Christ. Their lives are based on God's Word. [This fact of victory is emphasized twice in the passage.]

2. It is already accomplished: "Our brothers" overcame / had victory over the devil, because of: 1) what Jesus did (his blood), and 2) their willingness to testify to the truth, even to the point of death - Revelation 12:11.

   • CONTEXT: This proclamation is being given at the time that the accuser (the devil) is being permanently cast out of heaven - and thus will no longer be able to accuse those who belong to God. The "voice from heaven" (which calls out this proclamation) is not identified, but may be one of the heavenly beings described previously.
     
   • "Our brothers" may be a reference to all Christians. We have victory because of what Jesus did, and because of our willingness to acknowledge him in the presence of other people. Though this proclamation may be a future event, the victory is due to past and present realities - past referring to what Jesus did and present referring to what his followers do during their lives.

 B. Victory over those empowered by a false spirit (examples: false prophets and teachers)

1. It is a present fact: We have overcome / had victory over them, because of the Holy Spirit's power within us - 1 John 4:4.

   • The one who is in us (and who empowers us - the Spirit of God - v. 1-2) is greater (more powerful) than the one who is in them (and empowers them - the false spirit, also called the spirit of "antichrist" and the spirit of error - v. 3, 5). We are from God (who is the source of our power); they aren't from God.

C. Victory over the world system

1. This victory is an ongoing realty: We who are "born of God" do overcome / have victory over the world, because of our trust in Jesus (and all that such a trust implies) - 1 John 5:4-5.

   • We have victory, just as Jesus did - John 16:33.
     
   • The context shows us that, because of this faith (trust) in God, we do love God and his "children" (v. 1-2) and we are willing to obey God (v. 2-3). These are both present tense actions. (Genuine belief in the truth about Jesus will impact the way we live. We will choose to live in a way that is compatible with the "light" - the truth - and all that it signifies. If this does not characterize our lives, we need to reconsider our claim to be "born of God.")
     
   • This victory applies to (and is a description of) everyone who: 1) truly believes what the Bible says about who Jesus Christ is (v. 1, 5), and 2) trusts him because of who he is. Such people are described as being "born of God."

2. What makes this victory / overcoming possible? Our trust in Jesus (and all the implications of that trust) is what enables us to have this victory - 1 John 5:4.

   • Note that genuine victory, if it truly exists in us, will make its presence visible by what we do. [If our trust is fake, it won't enable us to have this victory.]

D. The ultimate victory of God's people over the "beast"

1. Those who overcome / have victory over the beast (and his image and the number of his name) will one day sing praises to God - Revelation 15:2. (See also v. 3-4.)

   • The "beast" represents the world system and its representative leader. He will have temporary "victory" over God's people (Revelation 13:7) - but we must remember that it is only temporary!
     
   • Though the immediate focus is on end-time events, when world conditions will be at their worst, these words are intended to encourage God's people of all ages. All of God's people will have ultimate victory over the powers that rise up against them.
     
   • Even if evil powers were to succeed in killing us, they would immediately lose their power over us, and they could do us no more harm. Then, at the resurrection, death itself would lose its power over us... and our victory would be complete! (See additional comments in Sections C and E.)

E. Victory over death

1. We will have victory over death and death's "sting": Death itself will be "swallowed up" in victory (v. 54). Its present-day "sting" and its momentary victory will be gone forever (v. 55) - 1 Corinthians 15:54, 55.

   • This will occur at the resurrection, when what is mortal (a physical body that is capable of dying) is replaced by what is immortal (a physical body that is not capable of dying). (See the context.)

2. How our victory is made possible: God gives us the victory through Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:57.

   • Our victory over death is a gift from God, and is available only through Jesus Christ.

Many of the above victories are described as present day facts. If they are not present in our lives, we need to do some serious reflecting on our spiritual condition. If we fail to obtain the present-day victories, which are available through Christ, we will fail to obtain the future victories, as well.

VICTORY AS AN OBLIGATION

A. Victory over evil is necessary

1. We must overcome / have victory over evil, rather than allowing evil to continue overcoming / having victory over us - Romans 12:21.

   • Many people claim to be "Christians." However, only the genuine Christians will be victors; the others - those who are only superficially "Christian" - will themselves be conquered. Evil will continue to have victory over them, just as it did before they claimed to become "Christian." (This evil may be obvious - such as murder or lying - or it may be hidden - such as doing good things for reasons that do not honor God.)

Fight back! Don't surrender to evil! How? By doing what is good!

PROMISES TO THOSE WHO HAVE VICTORY

Each of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 is given a promise that is applicable to all who are willing to pay attention to Jesus' instructions (all who have "ears" that can hear). There is an additional promise given at the end of Revelation.

These verses are addressed to people who claimed to be followers of Jesus - which would have included both genuine Christians, as well as counterfeits. The difference can ultimately be seen in the way each group responds to the commands given in the passages. Only the genuine disciples would be willing to pay attention to the obligations found in these verses (and in the context surrounding them). Only genuine disciples would overcome (as they are commanded) and receive the blessings promised. In a sense, these verses can be seen as both an encouragement (to those who have repented, trusted Jesus, and are now obeying him), as well as a warning (to those who haven't done those things).

Two additional notes about the verses in Revelation 2 and 3: First, the context (verses prior to the promise) describe the way we become victorious. There is a connection between what we are willing to do now and what Jesus will do later. Second, these promises are for all who capable of hearing - referring to the type of hearing that results in obedience and trust. This refers to a hearing of the heart, rather than just an ability to hear sounds and voices.

A. The promise given to EPHESUS - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 2:7

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to maintain a living love (all the while remaining faithful to the truth) - Revelation 2:1-6.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus will give them the right to eat from the Tree of Life - an expression of God's love.

B. The promise given to SMYRNA - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 2:11

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to remain faithful and true, even while being hurt by persecution and death - Revelation 2:8-10.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus promises them they will not be hurt by a second death.

C. The promise given to PERGAMUM - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 2:17

1. How they overcome / have victory: They refuse to compromise in their faithfulness to Christ, and look only to him for their spiritual nourishment - Revelation 2:12-16.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus promises to give them a spiritual food ("hidden manna") available only for his people. He also promises each of them a special relationship of approval and acceptance by him (a "white stone" of special significance).

D.The promise given to THYATIRA - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 2:26-29

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to continue in doing God's will (a love expressed in their actions). They are also willing to judge (rather than ignore) sin in their midst - Revelation 2:18-25.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus will give them the right to judge nations (just as the Father gave him authority to judge the nations). Jesus himself will be their guide and their example (the "morning star" - compare to Revelation 22:16).

E. The promise given to SARDIS - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 3:5-6

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to live lives now (in the world's presence) - lives that reflect the presence of salvation in them - Revelation 3:1-4.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus will guarantee them the opportunity to do so (live lives that reflect salvation) for eternity (in God's presence). Jesus will clothe them in righteousness ("white"). They will be guaranteed a place in God's presence. And since they were eager to acknowledge God, Jesus himself will be eager to acknowledge them.

F. The promise given to PHILADELPHIA - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 3:12-13

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to keep standing firm in Christ, in spite of weakness, in a world of meaninglessness and instability (trials) - Revelation 3:7-11.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus promises to give them a permanence and a special significance in the presence of God - the place where they will forever belong (a place they can call "home").

G. The promise given to LAODICEA - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 3:21-22

1. How they overcome / have victory: They are willing to reject the riches that the world offers, in favor of developing a friendship with Jesus - Revelation 3:14-20.

2. The promise given to them: Jesus promises to give them everything that he can offer. Their friendship with Jesus will continue for all eternity. Instead of having control over a few of the world's "toys" (riches), he will give them control over vast realms of creation - they will be co-rulers with Christ!

H. The final promise given to ALL - for ALL who are willing to be overcomers / victors - Revelation 21:7

1. The promise given to them: Those who are willing to be overcomers / victors will forever be considered God's own children (by adoption - Ephesians 1:5). Because of that, they will inherit all that God has to offer in eternity (the new heaven and new earth).

God is wonderful! Should we live for the pleasures and pastimes offered to us by the world? It's just not worth it!

THE FINAL CONCLUSION:

A. There is a glorious "End Result" for all of God's People, the Overcomers

1. Those who choose to live for God are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! Said another way, we have overwhelming victory!

NO matter what happens, there is a promise for those who are willing to be (and to live as) followers of Jesus: We cannot lose!

• (Previous Section) THE TEMPORARY, PARTIAL VICTORY OF EVIL

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Dennis Hinks © 2004