Last Things Last - To the One who Conquers

Contact usLast Things Last - To the One who ConquersThis week we continue our Last Things Last series, looking at Revelation chapters 2–3 and Jesus' words to the seven churches.Each message ended with the same phrase, "To the one who conquers…"But conquering in Revelation isn't about domination. It's not crushing enemies or winning arguments. It's about staying faithful when it costs the most. It's love that doesn't give up. It's obedience that outlasts emotion. It's worship that endures in the fire.However, we see there are two main ways to respond to tribulation:Give in — compromise our convictions.Give up — quietly quit and walk away.But there is a third way: receiving the victory that Jesus has already won for us. "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."— 1 Corinthians 15:57You don't win Jesus' victory by willpower. You walk in it by receiving it. It is something He gives and something we must keep receiving. Victory isn't something we earn; it's something we live from.Revelation is often seen as all about a future tribulation and while there is a case that things may get worse, John says he's already "a partner in the tribulation." For the first readers and for millions of Christians around the world and throughout history the pressure had already begun. It's not something that is coming. It was something that Christian's were experiencing in John's day, and it is something that Christian's are experiencing right now. Maybe the reason we don't instantly recognise this in the west, is because we can be the ones who are more tempted to give in and accept the comfortable road. Comfort dulls us. Compromise weakens us. There are, however, many in the world today, who can relate to John's world. But Jesus strengthens us all. Here's the message of these chapters: You can't receive victory if you're living in compromise or relying on your own strength. But to the one who stays faithful the one who loves, endures, and holds fast, Jesus promises that you will conquer, because He already has.And to those who keep going, Jesus offers breath-taking promises:To eat from the tree of life. To be given hidden manna and a new name. To be clothed in white and never blotted from His book. To be made a pillar in His temple. To sit with Him on His throne. These are not small things they are the inheritance of those who hold fast when the world says, "Let go."For those who have suffered horrendously who have lost, grieved, and walked through darkness hear this, you are seen. Your pain is not overlooked or forgotten. Your tears are not wasted. Tribulation is not the last word. Jesus is.The One who was slain still walks among His churches, and He will wipe away every tear from every eye. He keeps giving victory to those who refuse to quietly quit and those who refuse to compromise.So as you go into this week, receive his victory. Be persistent. Stay awake. Stay in love. Stay true."To the one who conquers, I will grant to sit with me on my throne."— RYou can see past sermons on the Leominster Baptist Church website at  Leominster Baptist Church - YouTube and can contact us directly with your feedback or queries through the Contact Us link at the top of the episode description text.Leominster Baptist Church can be found on Etnam Street in Leominster, Herefordshire. To find out more about us, visit our website leobc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to someone about anything that you have heard on our podcasts please give us a call and ask for a chat.