In Revelation, the Overcomer is presented as a model of authentic Christianity. In the future, he will overcome three intimidating threats, a “smart idol,” “the beast” and “his number.” This victory will be won despite considerable cost, including market exclusion, and in some cases, death. So how will the overcomer pull this off? What’s his secret?
One of the overcomer’s victory strategies is based on understanding the concept of “deed forwarding.” Here is John’s explanation: “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them” (Rev. 14:12-13).
In this verse, a special blessing is extended to those who pay the ultimate price for their allegiance to the Lord. But the phrase, “from now on,” suggests that, at a certain point, the difficulty of maintaining one’s allegiance to the Lord will increase (as will the blessedness of doing do).
This blessed condition has two results: The overcomer/martyrs will rest from their labors and their “deeds follow with them.” For those who have been about fighting the good fight, “rest” seems a fitting reward. The second phrase describes those whose deeds provide strong evidence of their faith. By the way, their deeds do not go “before” them as the basis of their salvation. They “follow” as a trail of evidence left by those who are the real thing. “Their deeds go with them and speak for them” would be the idea. On earth, there is no shortage of evidence by which to CONVICT them as followers of the Lord. In heaven, there is no shortage of evidence by which to REWARD them as genuine followers of the Lord. Their deeds make it clear beyond all reasonable doubt who they are.
So what about you? If a Jesus-hater were to follow you around today, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a follower of Jesus?
One of the overcomer’s victory strategies is based on understanding the concept of “deed forwarding.” Here is John’s explanation: “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them” (Rev. 14:12-13).
In this verse, a special blessing is extended to those who pay the ultimate price for their allegiance to the Lord. But the phrase, “from now on,” suggests that, at a certain point, the difficulty of maintaining one’s allegiance to the Lord will increase (as will the blessedness of doing do).
This blessed condition has two results: The overcomer/martyrs will rest from their labors and their “deeds follow with them.” For those who have been about fighting the good fight, “rest” seems a fitting reward. The second phrase describes those whose deeds provide strong evidence of their faith. By the way, their deeds do not go “before” them as the basis of their salvation. They “follow” as a trail of evidence left by those who are the real thing. “Their deeds go with them and speak for them” would be the idea. On earth, there is no shortage of evidence by which to CONVICT them as followers of the Lord. In heaven, there is no shortage of evidence by which to REWARD them as genuine followers of the Lord. Their deeds make it clear beyond all reasonable doubt who they are.
So what about you? If a Jesus-hater were to follow you around today, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a follower of Jesus?
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