Overcoming According to Revelation
The concept of overcoming is a theme that pervades the book of Revelation. The Greek term that is often translated into “overcoming” is normally a form of the lemma νικάω, which can mean to conquer, overcome, prevail, be a victor, vanquish, outstrip, and excel.[1] The term is used seventeen times in Revelation; however, the term seems to pertain to Christian believers ten times (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 25; 3:5, 12, 21[twice]; 12:11; 15:2, English Standard Version). At other times, the term seems to refer to either Jesus or the Beast. The passages demonstrate the way the believing community triumphs as they faithfully persevere. More specifically, believers have a life in paradise (Rev 2:7), have triumph over death (Rev 2:11), have their needs provided (Rev 2:17), have authority over nations (Rev 2:26), and have their name in the book of life (Rev 3:5). The believing conquerors will also be made pillars in God’s temple (Rev 3:12), be granted seats at God’s throne (Rev 3:21), be conquerors of evil (Rev 12:11), and be standing beside God with harps (Rev 15:2).
All Things New: Revelation as Canonical Capstone (Volume 48) (New Studies in Biblical Theology)tr5
Although triumph was assured to the faithful believers, the challenging situations facing John’s original audience were, at times, dire. Brian Tabb suggests that the overcoming motif highlights the tension between the earthly and the heavenly, between the now and the not yet.[2] Specifically, the original audience faced “poverty and slander (Rev 2:9), imprisonment (Rev 2:10), weakness and rejection (Rev 3:8-9) and even death for the word of God (Rev 6:9).”[3] Ultimately, as C. Marvin Pate points out, the overcomers inherit the blessings of the new covenant.[4] The faithful conquerors not only overcome the circumstances and situations of the world, but they also win the spiritual battle against sin and evil.
Thus, believers share in Christ’s reign over Satan (Rev 2:26-28), and they experience an eschatological reality that exists in the Lamb of God (Rev 3:21). As Tabb succinctly summarizes, the faithful believers are “conquered conquerors.”[5] For John’s original audience, the victory has been won, but not yet fully realized.
Modern preachers can apply the hope provided by the Apostle John to the context of the local church in several ways. In particular, two important points need communicated. First, the worldview of contemporary believers must shift. In a culture where wealth and health have often become the gospel preached from the pulpit, it is necessary to share the benefits of suffering. James 1:2-4 explains that challenges are gifts from God that produce endurance and wholeness. Romans 5:3-5 exhorts readers to celebrate tribulations because trials result in perseverance, character development, and hope. Further, all too often Christians who are experiencing trials are ostracized by the institutional church at the precipice of a spiritual breakthrough. In sum, a sound doctrine of suffering needs to be communicated to the local church.
Second, the concept of inaugurated eschatology needs to be taught in the local church. Believers often have a deep belief in the triumph that will occur upon death and upon Christ’s return. Certainly, the victory will be fully realized in the future; however, it is also necessary to teach believers that the victory has, in a sense, already occurred. Believers are overcomers now, and believers have not yet fully overcome. Certainly, an over-realized eschatology has its dangers, but an under-realized eschatology leaves believers sitting at home waiting to die in prolonged anticipation of the “good stuff.” However, a life in Christ overcomes sin now. A life in Christ also overcomes persecution now, although victory will only be completely consummated in the future.
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[1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago, 2000), 673.
[2] Brian J. Tabb, All Things New: Revelation as Canonical Capstone (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019), 109.
[3] Ibid.
[4] C. Marvin Pate, Interpreting Revelation & Other Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook (Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2016), 188.
[5] Tabb, All Things New, 109.
Bibliography
- Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, Walter Bauer, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2000.
- Pate, C. Marvin. Interpreting Revelation & Other Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2016.
- Tabb, Brian J. All Things New: Revelation as Canonical Capstone. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019.
