THOSE WHO OVERCOME

Identifying Christ and His people as those who “overcome,” is a dominant theme in the book of Revelation. It is the Greek word, “nikao,” and is used seventeen times, variously translated in English as “overcome,” “conquer,” “prevail,” etc. though it is the same word in the original. The seven churches in chapters two and three are each given a specific promise related to those who “overcome.” 

For this study, we will identify the characteristics of those who overcome as presented in Revelation 17:14 that reads, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” In this chapter, the fiendish foes who will rise to oppose Christ are the scarlet woman and the scarlet beast—whom I identify as the False Prophet of a one-world religion and the Antichrist and his global governance. These oppose Christ, the Lamb of God, with the climax of their hate being the battle of Armageddon at Christ’s return, (Rev. 19:11-21). “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings,” (Rev. 17:14a). We will be in that victorious vanguard, “and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful,” (v. 14‬‬b). 

These are THE CALLED, “those who are with [Christ] are called.” They have heard the call of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has summoned these to follow Christ. It is a work of grace that bids the spiritually dead to rise as Lazarus was called by Christ to come out of the grave.  Those who overcome have heard Christ’s call.

These are also THE CHOSEN, “those who are with [Christ] are…chosen.”  The Gospel call is to extend to all sinners, but is effectual only to those chosen—those who attest to that in their responding by faith to Christ. Our Lord taught, “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14). I think of the rich young ruler that our Lord called to follow Him, who sadly walked away. Those who overcome have been chosen and have heeded Christ’s call.

These are furthermore, THE COMMITTED, “those who are with [Christ] are…faithful.”  If you take the word faithful and turn it around it would define this attribute as those full of faith. These have not merely made a profession of faith, but are in possession of faith. The verbal commitment to Christ in their confession is validated by the visual commitment to Christ in their conduct. Judas Iscariot once identified himself as a disciple, but in the end proved his profession to be false.  He was overcome by the world, the flesh, and the devil rather than overcoming these as a true believer will. This is the perseverance of the saints. Those who overcome have been called, chosen, and are committed.

THE PERSON GOD CHOOSES

“For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7b)

It is a fact that the better looking you are, the greater your chances of opportunity to be successful.  According to an article from Business Insider, “Studies have shown that attractive people are usually hired sooner, get promotions more quickly, and are paid more than their less-attractive coworkers.”  One has to deliver results, but the door is opened wider for those with appealing features of face and form.

That is not how God chooses the person He uses, however.  If that were true, then the first King of Israel would have been the greatest king, for Saul was Hollywood handsome.  Scripture tells us that the people were eager to select him as their ruler for he towered over them.  Sadly, his physical stature was not matched by his spiritual development—and with God that is what matters.  Saul was disqualified from service because of his sinfulness, while David was chosen as, “a man after God’s own heart,” (1 Sam.13:14).

God would speak to His messenger, Samuel, who in turn would set David aside for divine service.  God still does this. When He called me to preach, He did not speak to me in an audible voice, nor send an angel down with a word from heaven.  Rather, as I listened to His men faithfully proclaim His Word, my heart was opened to His call.  Are you listening?

Who would have thought that a shepherd boy would be a king?  Seven sons of Jesse were summoned, yet none were chosen.  In fact, when Samuel saw the eldest coming, he was impressed with his features and thought Eliab must be the one.  That would have been the same mistake which elected the current failed leader, Saul.  Here is the spiritual principle:

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  ‎But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  (1 Cor.1:26-29)

I never cease to be amazed that God would call me to shepherd His flock—few would have seemed less qualified—but, when He chooses and uses one like me, then He receives all the glory.

The Spirit of God departed from Saul and rested on David.  David’s anointing with oil was an outward representation of an inward reality.  Spiritual work demands spiritual power.  The work of God cannot be accomplished by human ingenuity and ability—not natural talent, but supernatural strength is required.

Are you a person God can use?  Devote your heart fully to Him.  Wherever you are and whatever you do, seek to please Him and labor for the Lord.  Others may ignore you.  God knows where you are and He can get you where you need to be.  We do not have to promote ourselves.  A sovereign God selects us.  It is not our ability, but our availability that God is looking for—to anoint with His Spirit and appoint to His service.  The key question is, “Do I have a heart for God?”

SERVICE AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (2 Timothy 1:11)

Every time you turn the TV on, it seems there is another award show.  You have the Oscars, the Emmies, and the Grammies.  Then there are the Golden globe and People's Choice Awards.  We are subjected to hours of celebrities stroking one another's egos. 

The world has its standard of greatness.  When we speak of Babe Ruth, we say he was a great baseball player.  MacArthur was a great general.  Edison was a great inventor.  Our world measures greatness in terms of fame, popularity and achievement.  But God's standard is different.  When the disciples of Christ disputed about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God, Jesus taught, "He that is greatest is servant of all."  Paul echoes that truth in this text.

In verse nine, Paul writes of the calling of the Christian servant.  The call is commenced in the purpose of Jehovah.  Before there was the problem of sin, God had already decreed the provision for sinners—Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  So salvation is not based on our performance and goodness, but on God's purpose and grace.  Consider further that the call is communicated in the person of Jesus.  God's purpose in eternity was revealed in history when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Never was the love of God more vividly communicated than at Calvary.  Through Christ's death and resurrection we can live as Christ's servants.

Paul not only points out the calling of the Christian servant, but he indicates the commitment of the Christian servant in verse twelve.  Paul is writing of his own commitment to serving God.  It is one thing to hear God's call to service and quite another to heed it by obedience.  Yet this is a divine duty.  Paul had the sense that he was a man under authority.  He recognized that he held a sacred stewardship.  That is true of all God's children.  Our commitment to the service of Christ is a divine duty.  It is also to be a daily demonstration.  Nowhere in the Bible do we read about taking a vacation from God's service.  There is no retirement plan for the Christian until we get to heaven.

We have seen then, the calling of the Christian servant, and the commitment of the Christian servant.  Let us not leave this text, however, before we consider the consolation of the Christian servant.  Yes, the price we pay to serve Jesus may be high, but the consolation we have is worth it all.  God had promised to reward His faithful servants.  There is a present reward (v.8b).  Paul testified how he had experienced God's power in the midst of his afflictions.  In the gravest extreme of human poverty, one can receive the greatest exhibition of heavenly power.  This is what the fellowship of Christ's sufferings can mean to us.  Our consolation in Christ, however, is not just in a present reward, but in a promised reward (v.12).  The day Paul was speaking about was that awesome Day of Judgment when believers appear before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for the service that we have rendered to Him.  Paul had given himself to laying up treasures in heaven and he believed Christ was keeping his investment secure.

COMMITTED TO THE CALL

 

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,

And your justice as the noonday.  (Psalm 37:5-6)

It was the summer of 1976.  My wife and I had been seeking God for His direction in our lives.  He was stirring us—but to what end?  There was much we were doing in church, but always a nagging thought that there was something more He wanted.  In the old open-air auditorium at Ben Lippen Conference Center, we went to hear the late Stephen Olford preach.  That night he took his text from Psalm 37:5-6 and issued an invitation to commitment to God’s call.  My wife and I signed a card, “Lord Jesus, anything, anywhere, anytime—I am ready!”  Although I have fallen short at times of this, it has been my consistent goal.  What does this text say about our commitment to the call of God—whether that is to be a missionary, a pastor, a secretary, a salesman, or a factory worker—whatever?

We fail when we make our plans, pray for God to bless them, and then wonder why things don’t pan out.  What we must do is commit ourselves to God’s plans and then we will have His blessing.  It comes down to faith.  Do I trust Him?  God has not promised to do what I want, but that He wants me to do what He wills.  Wisdom is to bring myself into alignment with His purposes and not to try to persuade God that my agenda is worth His favor.  God’s train is moving down the tracks.  He invites me to get on board.  I could decide to get in front of that train and seek to derail it—and that is madness!

This could be the dawn of a new day.  The righteousness of God could radiate from us as we walk with the Lord in the light of His way.  The justice of our cause will be established in the submission of our course to His roadmap.  It will be as clear as the sun at high noon can reveal it.  What brought me clarity in my calling?  It was commitment first!  I had wrestled with the specific assignment He had for me, but couldn’t gain confidence in any particular area.  I didn’t grasp that what God wanted was not my ability, but my availability!  When I made the commitment, He filled in the details.  When I yielded to anything He wanted, within a week I knew the one thing—I was called to preach the Gospel.  Commitment to that call has sustained me through some dark valleys of discouragement and carried me through many deep waters of difficulty.

We all can think of many opinions.  Others feel free to give many opinions. “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.”  (Prov.19:21)  What we must do is find that singular focus—an understanding of God’s call for us.  Any other path we chart turns to quicksand.  There is solid ground on God’s straight and narrow road.  Commit to His call today, or renew your commitment made long ago.  You’ll be glad you did!

CROWNED WITH HOPE—HIS SERVICE: David’s Preparation and Equipping

One of the chief purposes that God has in making us wait is to teach us.  This is an essential time to prepare us for what God in His time will accomplish in and by us.  Something has to be done to us, before something can be done through us.

·        A SHEPHERD—Preparation for His Work.

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”  So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

David would shepherd God’s people someday and so there was no better way to equip him than to literally care for a flock.  Too often we are looking for the big opportunity rather than being faithful in the place God has us—not understanding that He is getting us ready for more.  The Biblical principle is that if we are faithful in little things, we can be entrusted with larger things.

·        A SINGER—Preparation for His Worship.

So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”  Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”  Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”  And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul.  So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer.  Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”  And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. (1 Samuel 16:17-23) 

David would not only someday lead Israel into war, he would lead them into worship!  How many Psalms would this man write!  The worship of God would be a keynote of his life—this man after God’s own heart.  To love God with all our being is priority.  Our intimacy with Him must precede being an instrument for Him.  Time spent in communion with God is never wasted—but to try to bear fruit apart from this connection with the True Vine is impossible!

·        A SOLDIER—Preparation for His Warfare.

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.   So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.  ‎And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.  ‎So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  ‎And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”   Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  ‎This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  ‎Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”   So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.   Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.  ‎So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.  ‎Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.  (1 Samuel 17:40-51) 

Old Goliath had defied the armies of God and mocked the Lord.  David wouldn’t let that go.  It has been said, it is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog!  Boot camp is never a fun part of a soldier’s preparation, but it is indispensable.  If a warrior isn’t disciplined there then the odds of returning safely and successfully from the battlefield are slim.  After time spent as Saul’s armor-bearer and then a young champion downing Goliath, David was ready to lead the troops himself.  God may have you in basic training!  That’s tough—but it will toughen you up, and you’ll need that for where God is sending you is into a world that isn’t a playground, but a battleground!

CROWNED WITH HOPE—HIS SELECTION: David’s Promise and Election

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”  So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

King Saul was rejected.  Now a new king was to be selected.  The most promising candidates are passed over. 

Someone defined insanity, “As repeating the same behavior and expecting different results.”  Israel had chosen a king who looked regal in appearance—and imposing physical specimen who was devoid of spiritual maturity—and subsequently a man who sought to exercise his sovereignty over the Sovereign God!   Israel had been down that road before and found it a dead end.  God is not concerned with the external appearance, but the heart—and that is why David was chosen. 

God picked the runt of the litter.  No one would have thought him qualified—but that is grace—and what makes it so amazing!  Paul said it this way concerning our election to be saints:

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” (1 Cor.1:26-31)

When Samuel anointed him with oil, it was symbolic of another anointing—that of the Holy Spirit who came upon David to empower him.  It was foreordained that this young man would be king.  All those who are saved are chosen by God and will one day reign with Him.  We have a crown that awaits—but, like David, we have to wait to claim it.

Be patient—rejoice in the promises of God.  There is a crowning hope for us.

 

CONFIDENT HOPE DESPITE FRAILTY

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”  But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  (Exodus 3:10-11)

 

If a cat ever sits on a hot stove that cat will never sit on one again!  In fact, he won’t even sit on a cold one! 

 

Have you ever been burned?  You tried to do something good and it blew up in your face.  It’s hard to see yourself as anything but a failure and in your mind promise, “I’m not doing that again!”

 

So it was with Moses.  God showed up in dramatic fashion to arrest his stumbling servant’s attention.  But, Moses began to question whether he was the man for the job.  His past failure accentuated his present frailty and he began to make excuse after excuse.  “Who am I?” he incredulously responded to God’s re-commission.   The Lord let Him know—and we must grasp this—it isn’t who we are, but Who God is that makes the difference!

 

God answered each objection Moses presented.

 

He answered by giving SIGNS.  In Exodus 4:1-9 there are three supernatural signs offered to Moses. 

 

Here’s the first:

 

Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’ ” ‎So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”  And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” (4:1-5)

 

God doesn’t call us without equipping us.  If He has a work for us, then He provides the tools.  This shepherd staff would nevermore be the rod of Moses, but would be called, “The rod of God.”  It is a symbol of the power of God committed to the hand of man.   In the hand of Moses, that staff could only do what Moses could do—and that’s not much—but surrendered and reclaimed in faith it could do what the great I AM could do!  But what we have must be surrendered to Him or it has the nature of the Serpent about it!

 

Moses was also given SUPPORT.

 

Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”  So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?  Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”  So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.  So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.  (Exodus 4:10-16)

 

Moses had limitations.  He worried about his speech impediment.  Plain and simple, none of us have all the gifts, but all of us have some of the gifts, so that together we can do all God has for us despite our own frailty.  God gives people to assist us. 

 

Hope has been reborn!   Look at this:

 

Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.  ‎And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people.  ‎So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. (Ex.4:29-31)

 

There would be more challenges to be sure.  Still God would overcome and fulfill His promises.  Human frailty does not short-circuit His omnipotent ability.

 

So you’re messed up.  You think God wouldn’t have you.  How many fail to come to Christ because they think they have been too bad or waited too long?  While there’s breath, there’s hope—but don’t delay another day!  God can give you a brand new start in life, and a brand new destination for eternity.  You can be reborn spiritually. 

 

A lot of Christians aren’t doing what they might because of allowing past failures to hold them back.  Let me ask you, “What’s in your hand?”  You may think it nothing, but God can transform it into something.  Surrender to the will of God.  There is hope for you to yet fulfill His purpose for your life.

 

 

 

CONQUERING THROUGH HOPE: THE CONCEPTION OF HOPE

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.  ‎So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”  And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.  Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”  So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”  ‎And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (Genesis 37:5-11)

This hope that was conceived in the heart of Joseph was implanted by God.  It wasn’t a childish fantasy like I had, but it was the intended purpose for which God brought Joseph into this world—that one day he would make a difference in the world—and what a difference he would make! 

Now, I would not suggest that all of us will become a Joseph in the magnitude of impact we will have—some are set apart by God for the greatest works—greatness as defined by numbers and notoriety.  Maybe the teenager in our home or church youth group will be the next Billy Graham.  God does call modern day Josephs!

One thing is for certain—whatever God has for us to do is never a small work if done for Him.  It has a weight of glory and an impact of eternal significance.  If we do not make a difference on a global stage, as Joseph did, we can nevertheless exert an influence in our little corner of the globe in the spirit of hope that filled the heart of Joseph. 

I want to remind you that it is faithfulness to what God has set before us to become and achieve that determines your success irrespective of human evaluation.  God created you with certain capacities and competencies that you can develop and employ to the full.  When you were born again, He bestowed spiritual gifts upon you. 

Not all of us are equal in the size of the capacity we have to serve Him.  The reality is that some have a bigger stage and a larger ability.

Do not be discouraged!  God has equally distributed to all His children the opportunity to be all He has called us to be!  It isn’t the ability we have potentially, but the availability we have practically that brings the smile of heaven.

What is the hope God has birthed in your heart?  Why are you here in this world and in this time?  What difference does it make? 

God intends for us to make a difference.  You—yes you—can be a modern-day Joseph!