In this post I want to focus on the promises Jesus makes to those who conquer (or, as some translations say, overcome).   In other words, if you persevere to the end you get these astounding benefits (they aren’t just for martyrs).  Please read closely and be encouraged!  And remember the good news that if you are truly among his sheep that you will persevere to the end (John 10:25–30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”)

Rev. 2 ⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Jesus is promising you that you’ll get to eat from the tree of life.  Whatever the best meal you’ve ever had has been, this will obviously trump that.  And you’ll be eating it in the paradise of God, which is Heaven.  And you’ll be eating it with countless other joyful believers.

Rev 2 ¹¹ The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

There will be a second death – incredibly and permanently painful for many, but as a believer you won’t be hurt by it at all.  All your sins are already forgiven.

Rev 2 ¹⁷ To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

This section has a double promise.  I was just reading through Exodus and wondering what manna tasted like, and this reminds me that we’ll get to know some day.  The mystery will be solved!  It actually sounds like my kind of food.

And the white stone with a unique name written on it is an interesting gift.  I think that some people think we forget other relationships in Heaven or that it is just some mass of humanity, but this is a clear reminder that in addition to joyful, corporate worship we will also have a unique, one-on-one relationship with Jesus and He will give you a special stone and name.

Rev 2 ²⁶ The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, ²⁷ and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. ²⁸ And I will give him the morning star. ²⁹ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

It isn’t clear exactly how we’ll rule in the millennium, but it will clearly be an honor and a responsibility.  I couldn’t find anything explaining what the morning star is, but if Jesus promised it you know it is good.

Rev 3 ⁵ The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

There wasn’t a lot of good news for Sardis, but Jesus did promise that you would be made perfectly righteous and that He would acknowledge you before Heaven.

Rev 3 ¹² The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

We won’t be literal pillars, of course, but He promises that we’ll be permanent members with him and be forever aligned with the one true God.

Rev 3 ²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

We will actually eat and rule with Jesus for eternity!

There you go!  Always look for promises when reading scripture.  You can barely go a chapter in the New Testament without finding one.  Keep this in mind as you persevere through whatever challenges God, in his perfect sovereignty, is laying before you.