Background

The bible distinguishes between the positive responses by people to the gospel. There are two types of response. One applies to everyone, the second applies only to some.

The first relates to salvation, those who acknowledge and accept Jesus as their saviour, forgiveness of sin through his death on the cross, receiving the Holy Spirit, a first step into the Kingdom of God, and the potential to express new humanity (e.g. Romans chapter 1 verse 16; 10 verses 10,11).

The second are those who then live in the good of their salvation, accepting Jesus as Lord, walking by the Holy Spirit, actively expressing the Kingdom of God (Galatians chapter 5).

The bible uses the term ‘overcomer’ to distinguish the second from the first. This clarifies that living this way is not automatic, that it requires decisions and that there are obstacles to be overcome (1 John chapter 2 verses 12 to 25, note verse 14; chapter 5 verses 1 to 12).

John wrote to the churches at the start of the book of Revelation (chapters 2, 3), and gave them guidance. This represented the whole church globally, those who are saved, who accepted Jesus as saviour. He then sets out challenges that need to be overcome depending on their circumstances. The first is to maintain their first love. They have perseverance but it has become mechanical, they have lost the love for life (Revelation chapter 2 verses 2 to 5). The second is faithfulness etc.. There are trials and difficulties to overcome. In each case they are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit and rewards are cited for those who overcome.

The book of Revelation then cites differences between the overcomers and those in the wider church.

The overcomers are linked to the term ‘remnant’ found thoughout the bible, for example in the Old Testament, those who stayed true to God whilst others in the nation of Israel rebelled (Ezra chapter 9 verses 5 to 9; Isaiah chapter 10 verses 20 to 22; 11 verses 11 to 16). The remnant were the ones who survived the wilderness generation and entered the promised land, and the people who returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple and city of Jerusalem, also the disciples who responded to Jesus in his generation.

In the book of Revelation, John identifies the overcomers in different ways in each of the various pictures. As the martyrs those whose testimony cost them their lives (Revelation chapter 6 verses 9 to 11)(whether this was actually or figuratively, those who committed themselves to following God’s intention for their lives, not their own), a remnant numbered 144,000 (Revelation chapter 7 verse 4)(not the actual number but one that represents them, 12 x 12 x a lot equals the total, 12 being a number meaning completeness). They have a specific role in the picture of chapter 11. They have a ministry like Moses and Elijah, and follow in Jesus’ footsteps, expressing Jesus that brings a response but also then rejection. Chapter 12 then describes them as a child like Jesus being born out of the wider church. They are instrumental in bringing about the second coming of Jesus. Their witness across the globe confirms the victory of Jesus on the cross and the establishment of new humanity. They are described as a bride made ready for marriage to the bridegroom (Revelation chapter 19).

There are two resurrections in chapter 20. The first is for the overcomers who are to express life as the Kingdom of God, new humanity with Jesus among all those who are alive at the time. They are to show how Jesus expresses rule and authority. This is then followed by the second resurrection of everyone else.

The challenge is therefore to be an overcomer, to hear the Holy Spirit and to express the Kingdom of God now.