February '26

It’s so good to be starting the new sermon series on the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5. Loosely related to that topic, I have some more Revelation content, this time from chapters 2 and 3. This is the section with the letters to the 7 churches. Obviously there were and are more than 7 churches in the world, so what is going on here? The use of this number carries symbolic significance, indicating to us perfection and completion. It is saying that the words written to these 7 churches apply to the whole of Christ’s church throughout the period of history between Jesus’ ascension and his return.

With this in mind, a common phrase appears amidst all the encouragements and warnings the Spirit wants John to write to the churches; “The one who conquers.” We see this appear in chapter 2:7,11,17 & 26, and chapter 3:5,12,21. The Greek word is nikaos, which means to conquer, overcome, prevail, or have victory. This is what Christ calls his faithful people to do. In the context of these 7 letters, this looks like not letting sin rule us, being quick to repent, not tolerating false teachers, keeping ourselves from idolatry, and boldly facing persecution. It is patient endurance in faith in Christ, no matter what we face. Right belief and right living is the kind of conquering that the Church should aim for in the Christian life.

Now, the list of things we must do to be considered a conqueror may seem daunting, but I would remind us all that it is not our efforts to obtain victory, but those of Jesus that make our conquering not only possible, but sure. The word used throughout Revelation 2 and 3 appears elsewhere in Scripture and informs our understanding here. John, the author of Revelation records Jesus saying in John 16:33 “...Take heart, I have overcome the world.” In 1 John 5:5 John writes “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” And Paul takes it a step further in Romans 8:37 “...We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Note that here Paul uses a word completely unique to the New Testament to describe the level of conquering Jesus is capable of in us, hupernikaos, conquering unlike anything you’ve ever seen. These conquerors are found in every church.

We also read that there are rewards promised to those who conquer. Consider these promises to the conquerors in Revelation 2 & 3; we will eat from the tree of life in paradise, we will not be hurt by the second death, we will be given a white stone (symbolising our “not guilty” status before God), we will be given authority over the nations, Jesus will confess our names before the Father and his angels, we will be made pillars in the heavenly temple Jesus is building, and we will sit with Christ on his throne. What unspeakably incredible things await those who conquer! So Redeemer, let us consider what it looks like for us to conquer, and let us do these things. Consider the rewards that await us in the age to come, and let that hope spur us on. And consider our Lord and Saviour who has conquered and made us more than conquerors with Him, let our confidence be only in Him.

Joy and comfort in the Lord,

Pastor Aidan Smith