OVERCOMERS AND THE TREE OF LIFE (REV. 2:7)

Does this closing verse of the letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:7) teach that people have access to the tree of life because they overcome, or do they overcome because they have already eaten its fruit? We show that the fruit in question symbolises the eternal life that believers have in Christ and that those who have received that gift from Christ must necessarily overcome whatever problems and difficulties life might bring. We also recognise here a warning to those who do not trust in Christ for salvation and who are only nominal Christians, that they will not overcome. The episode thus clarifies that "overcomers" are true believers who possess eternal life in Christ while offering assurance that the promises to the overcomers apply to all who truly trust Jesus.