In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we are treated to a sneak preview of what heaven will be like when we arrive there after our physical journey on earth ends. The first thing we notice is that no matter how much pain, suffering and sickness we may have had to experience here on earth, they will all forever vanish in heaven. Revelation 21:4 declares: “…and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
But before we get our promotion to heaven, God has given us the ability to overcome the many trials of life we face as citizens of planet earth. I really like what American missionary, John C. Broger, shared on this whole area of being an overcomer in Christ: “God has defeated Satan through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this overwhelming victory, God has also empowered you to overcome any temptation to sin and has provided sufficient resources for you to respond biblically to any problem of life. By relying on God’s power and being obedient to His Word, you can be an overcomer in any situation.”1
As we continue in our Christian walk, we begin to see victory after victory become more and more a part of our lives. As we become obedient to His Word and will, we can rely on the Lord to supply us with His power to lead a victorious life. The more time we spend in prayer, Bible reading and communion with God, the lighter our burdens become. In the past, before we knew Jesus, problems always seemed to get us down and get the better of us. Now, armed with the knowledge of God’s Word and with prayer, we overtake our problems and become overcomers.
As we journey through life as overcomers in Christ, not only can we defeat Satan at every turn, but we can turn tragedies into triumphs, sorrow into joy, and turmoil into peace. In addition, as we dedicate our lives to work to bring glory to God in every situation, we will be storing up for ourselves great treasure in heaven. And my friends, when we do reach the celestial shores of heaven as overcomers in Christ, the Book of Revelation describes what we can expect to see there:
“…To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
“He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father; and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” (Revelation 3:12)
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7)
Wow!