The GOD of Overcomers

Revelation 21:1-27             

Friday, 31 May 2024

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will be My son.- Rev.21:7

In Revelation Chapter 21, God is directing John’s attention to a specific feature of the new heaven and new earth, namely the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. This city will be inhabited by the Old Testament saints as well as the redeemed from the New Testament era, it will have Israel and the Church – it is evident that the city is the dwelling place of the saints of all ages, the angels, and God and Christ Himself – a literal future dwelling place of the saints and angels.

Hebrews 12: 22-24 describes the New Jerusalem: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” The expression “the spirits of the righteous made perfect” includes all saints, though not named. The revelation of the City of God given to John describes a beautiful and glorious future for all who trust in the living God.

The beauty of the New Jerusalem is described in Rev.21:11,18 &19 “having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, a stone of crystal-clear jasper. The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every king of precious stone….” This city of God is a beautiful city, uniquely designed and gigantic in size. The size of the city is given as 1,500 Miles, approximately 2,400 Kilo Meters. The length and breadth and height of the City are the same - 2,400KM!! Since the height is also mentioned, the City is assumed to be a Cube!! It has 12 gates, bearing the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, with 12 Angels guarding the gates. The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The Architect and builder of this beautiful and unique dwelling place is God (Heb.11:10). Abraham was eagerly looking for it and this is where Jesus said He is preparing a place for each of us who put trust in His finished work on the cross (John14:2).

However, not everyone will be admitted there – the criteria to be admitted to this holy city of God are laid down in the Bible. The Heavenly Jerusalem (literally heaven on earth), will be the dwelling place where God and Jesus and angels and saints of God of all ages will cohabit in eternity. Not only is this city a holy city, its inhabitants are also holy. Rev.21:27:”and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Our key verse makes it clear: “He who overcomes will inherit these things…”. This is a city where only overcomers from all ages and places will dwell.

We—once slaves of sin (Rom.6:17), impurity and lawlessness, now become slaves of righteousness and slaves of God (Rom.6:18-22) should not allow that old sinful nature to enslave us again! Gal.5:1 warns us “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject to a yoke of slavery.” 

Let us put our trust in God for our daily victory. As the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, let us completely surrender to the authority of the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ and lead a victorious life! Be an overcomer every day, until we reach our eternal dwelling place, the New Jerusalem!

“…but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (1 Cor.15:57)

Listen: 'Victor's Crown'