Revelation 2–3. “To Him That Overcometh”

Revelation 2–3. “To Him That Overcometh”
 

1. The Lord’s counsel to each of the seven branches of the Church in Asia follows a pattern:
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              §  He told the members of the branch what they were doing that pleased Him.

              §  He told them in what ways they needed to repent.

              §  He told them of the blessings that would come if they were faithful.

• Fill in the chart below with information you find in Revelation 2–3:

City	What They Did That Pleased the Lord	How They Needed to Repent	Promised Blessings
Ephesus (2:1-7)	Their patience – enduring labor and love.	Because thou hast left thy first love.	To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Smyrna (2:8-11)	I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)	I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.	be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
​Pergamos (2:12-17)	I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.	But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.	To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Thyatira (2:18-29)	I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.	Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.	And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
Sardis (3:1-6)	Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.	Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.	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.
Philadelphia (3:7-13)	for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.	Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.	Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Laodicea (3:14-22)	And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;	I know thy work, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.	To him that overcometh will I grant to bsit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne

The Council received by these seven churches seems to be appropriate even in today’s time – staying true to the word of Christ and holding fast to that word is always a good idea. God’s love for us will be our everlasting grace and heaven will be our home if we endure to the end. Even in death we shall have life and life eternal is the greatest of all rewards.

2. How does Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, 63:20 give meaning to the phrase "to him that overcometh?" Each time the Lord covenanted with his people and promised rewards he instructed them to overcometh or in other words endure to the end. He that overcomes, or endure to the end shall have these rewards. As a marathon runner I know what it means to endure hard things and find great reward. Sometimes the challenge of life will be hard and we will want to give end to seeking out the easy path, but those that endure their hardships well will find a greater reward than those that sought the shortcut.