Revelation 21:7 carries the promise past the seven churches to the new earth itself: he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and be called a son of God. This part takes up the warfare that stands between the promise and the one who is to receive it.
Revelation 21:7 — He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
The paths of life are beset with many perils that can hardly be described. There are dark forces working to distract, disturb, dismantle and destroy us; but we must not depart from the path of godly principles which lead to victory. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we must follow His path of safety until our journey is over.
Two powers are contending for the mind
In our everyday encounters and struggles we must keep focus and vigilance. Two powers are contending for our minds. God our Creator is working to restore His image in fallen humanity. He wants us to have the mind of Christ and to be like Him in character and spiritual maturity. Satan desires to deface the image of God and make us apostate like himself.
Strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might
For us to be overcomers, we must be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, to fight against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. We must fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternity; we must wrestle and pray until we conquer the force of darkness and prevail against all obstacles.
Ephesians 6:10 — Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Strength that is borrowed, not summonedPaul does not tell the Ephesians to be strong. He tells them to be strong in the Lord — the armour that follows in the chapter is issued, not forged.
The wrestling is not with flesh and blood
Satan knows that his time is short and his days are numbered, and he is now fighting his fiercest battle against God's people; but we must fight as disciplined soldiers until our battle is won.
Ephesians 6:12 — For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Naming the real opponentMistake the adversary and every weapon is the wrong one. The people who obstruct us are not the powers Paul has in view.
What it is to inherit all things
Revelation 21:7 promises that he who overcomes shall inherit all things. Those who faithfully serve God and endure to the end will receive this inheritance. It is promised to those who submit to Him, consecrate themselves to His service, devote themselves to His cause, and remain willing instruments in His hands. It also belongs to those who enter the Lord's battle against the forces of evil and who give themselves fully to rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying.
God has chosen His people to encounter and overcome all the obstacles that stand between them and their Saviour. In our warfare and struggles against evil tendencies and the evil schemes of Satan, we must exercise constant watchfulness and earnest prayer without ceasing or fainting.
Sons and daughters, if we continue
John 1:12 — But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
A standing already givenSonship in this verse is not a reward held back until the end. It is the standing from which the whole fight is fought.
We are sons and daughters if we continue to be loyal to Christ.
In the conflicts of life, we must make sure that we are overcomers over all our struggles, seen and unseen. We must take hold on eternal life, and finally we shall remain sons and daughters and will inherit all things for ever. What a wonderful and gracious promise! It is worth our struggles against the obstacles of life, and our commitments to God. Maranatha.
This is the ninth 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; Part Four takes up Revelation 2:17 — the hidden manna, the white stone and the new name; Part Five closes Revelation 2 with power over the nations and the morning star; Part Six turns to Revelation 3:5 — the white raiment, and the name confessed before the Father; Part Seven takes up Revelation 3:12 — a pillar in the temple of God, and three names written on the overcomer; and Part Eight closes the seven with Revelation 3:21, and the throne the overcomer is invited to share.
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 warfare this article describes, 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 and the end of the conflict. On the Christ who overcame first, Getting to Know Jesus takes up Philippians 3:10 and what it is to know Him personally.
For the care of the whole person while that warfare 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-nine — Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries. Read more studies at timeisathandlive.org.
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