“remember from where you have fallen and repent” Those first things were of great value The war has been won!! But we are still fighting for lost souls.

VICTORYTHE REWARD OF THE CONQUERER

A study of Revelation

“TO EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE…”

“remember from where you have fallen and repent”

Those first things were of great value

The war has been won!! But we are still fighting for lost souls

“TO EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE…”

The conquering soldier who holds on to his love for the Lord will be rewarded with access to the tree of life

We find this tree in scenes of unimpeded fellowship and complete absence of sin

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death” Smyrna was the seat

of emperor worship

These Saints were under the constant threat of persecution

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death”

“One thing is clear. The burning of this pinch of incense was obviously not a test of man’s religious orthodoxy; it was a test o his political loyalty. In point of fact the Roman government was

extremely tolerant. Once a man had made his sacrifice and received his certificate, he could then worship any god or

goddess he chose, provided that worship did not conflict with public decency and order. But if h refused to burn a pinch of

incense, he was by his refusal automatically branded as a disloyal and disaffected citizen. Wit an Empire the size of the

Roman Empire, no government could afford to have disaffected citizens who might become storm-centers of trouble. Therefore any man who refused to burn his pinch of incense was rendered

by his very refusal an outlaw” (Barclay, taken from Harkrider pg. 31)

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death” Smyrna was the seat

of emperor worship

These Saints were under the constant threat of persecution

The righteous response to this difficulty was to persevere

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death”

“Eighty and six years have I served Christ and he has never

done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who

saved me? I fear not the fire that burns for a season and after a while is quenched.

Why do you delay? Come, do your will.”

(Polycarp)

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death”

“I thank thee that though has graciously through me

worthy of this day and of this hour that I may receive a portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of

thy Christ.” (Polycarp)

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death” The second death is

the antithesis of the Paradise of God

The eternal condition of those who shun fellowship with God

The eternal abode of those who seek to cling to this life

“He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death” This reward is given to

those with the godly perspective of this life

Those who have not “loved their lives even when faced with death”

Those “purchased from the earth”

Hidden Manna and a New Name

Pergamum was the political center of Asia Minor

Those who refused emperor worship were tried here

Christians would witness these trials and subsequent executions

Hidden Manna and a New Name

Jesus’ complaint against the church was a weakening resolve

The Christians here were giving in to the idolatry around them

Some were giving themselves to Gnostic thought to justify their weakness

Hidden Manna and a New Name

Hidden Manna – God’s spiritual provision

White Stone – innocence and freedom from condemnation

New Name – Divine promise of assistance

Which no one will know – Personal salvation

VICTORYTHE REWARD OF THE CONQUERER