Revelation 2:26-28 closes with three gifts for the one who overcomes and keeps His works unto the end — judgment according to their works, power over the nations, and the morning star. Christ Himself says who that star is.
Revelation 2:26 — And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.
"He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end." Life brings a mix of good and bad times: sunshine and rain; moments of sadness and also moments of gladness. Dark spots, but also light and beauty all around. In this life we often encounter multiple obstacles that slow our progress and impede our goals.
In Revelation 2:26 God reminds us that in this life we must focus our attention on overcoming. We must overcome all of our trials and temptations, and keep the works of God. We must overcome the anti-Christ, afflictions and persecution; but through it all we must keep the works of God.
Three things He says He will giveEach one is a gift rather than a wage, and each is held out to the same person — the one who overcomes.
The works of God
One of the works of God is to believe on Christ whom He has sent, and not the anti-Christ.
John 6:29 — Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Christ came that we might have a meaningful life with assurance of a better day.
Our whole duty is to fear God and keep His commandments.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
This also is one of the works of God that He can approve — the works of obedience and righteousness in Christ.
Unto the end, not for a moment
Those who trust and obey God shall endure unto the end, shall overcome the multiple obstacles and ultimately shall be saved. Our experience is unto the end of our life, not just for a moment. We must obtain strength and fortitude from Christ daily in order to navigate through this life of difficulties.
Power over the nations
To those who overcome will I give power over the nations, says the great Redeemer. To those who have faithfully and perseveringly kept Christ's word unto the end, will He give power over nations.
The promise, with its condition attachedNot to the one who merely begins, but to the one who keeps His works unto the end.
There are those who are fighting to have power and control over the world, but the earth belongs to God.
Psalm 24:1 — The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Only God has the right to appoint those whom He favours to rule with Him. The saints who have been persecuted for righteousness but kept the works of God shall inherit the earth and reign with Christ for eternity.
2 Timothy 2:12 — If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…
Those who live by the works of God will finally inherit this earth and reign with Christ throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity (Revelation 22:4-5; 3:21). The overcomers will share in the final issuing of justice against those who persecuted and oppressed them.
The morning star
Revelation 2:28 — And I will give him the morning star.
Christ is the bright and morning star.
Revelation 22:16 — …I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Six words, and the whole promise in themRevelation does not leave the gift unnamed. Four chapters later, Christ says who the morning star is.
The morning star is the sign of daybreak, indicating that the darkness of night will finally come to an end for those who are persecuted for righteousness. Just as in the time of the beginning of the great Reformation, that broke through like a morning star with John Wycliffe the Reformer.
The morning star was the beginning of the great Reformation. It was like a light that shines brighter into a perfect day.
According to their works
God will give unto everyone according to their works.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 — For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Christ shall be our morning star in this life and the life to come. He will give everyone according to their works; He will give authority over nations; He will give the morning star to those who live in obedience to God's commandments and endure and overcome all obstacles.
Blessings are waiting for the overcomers, who will be rewarded with authority to reign with Christ and to have Him as their morning star forever. It is for us to choose whether we shall share in Christ's dominion or be lost forever.
Blessed are the overcomers.
This is the fifth part. Overcoming Obstacles takes up Matthew 24:13 and what enduring to the end will cost; Part Two sets out what Scripture names to overcome and the tree of life promised to the one who does; Part Three turns to Romans 5:20 and the promise that the overcomer shall not be hurt of the second death; and Part Four takes up Revelation 2:17 — the hidden manna, the white stone and the new name.
Part Six turns to Revelation 3:5 — the white raiment, and the name confessed before the Father.
If this study has raised something you would like to talk through, the team reads every message: ask a Bible question, or send a prayer request.
On the Christ who is Himself the morning star, Getting to Know Jesus takes up Philippians 3:10 and knowing Him personally, and The Sanctuary works through the types, the services and the Messiah they pointed to. On the judgment this article ends with, The Everlasting Gospel sets out the message of Revelation 14 and the hour of God's judgment, and Time Shall Be No More takes up the close of probation.
For the care of the whole person while that endurance is asked of us, the Ministry of Healing section takes up health, healing and the mind at rest.
First published at https://timeisathandlive.org/blog/overcoming-obstacles-part-five — Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries. Read more studies at timeisathandlive.org.
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