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"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7).

         There is One "who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks," who waits to be revealed in a people-- a people who hear His message, surrender to Him for its in working, and emerge through all the tribulation/processing as overcomers. Certainly all the power for our overcoming flows from Christ, thus all the victory which we gain is actually a further revelation of Him-- of what HE can do and become in the life of the believer. "In all these things we are more than conquerors (overcomers) through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:37).
         "Through Him..." All that we are, or ever shall be, is because of Him! "For without Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5). "But ye shall receive power, after that the holy  Spirit is come upon you." (Acts 1:8). Power-- the Greek word is "dunamis." From this word comes our English word "dynamite," which bespeaks of an explosive energy force to accomplish. But we also have the word "dynamo," which bespeaks of a controlled energy force that is constantly being generated to meet the need. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). The Greek word for "strengtheneth" literally means: to make powerful inwardly. Thus, in a footnote to his translation, Williams gives, "Through Him who puts a dynamo in me." He, in us, is that dynamo. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27).
         In all things He has the pre-eminence! He is the Original Overcomer, "the Captain of our salvation." (Hebrews 2:10). He is the Trail-blazer, the Pioneer, the Firstborn of this new creation species. "Having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15). IN IT-- the Greek text reads, "IN HIMSELF." This victory was first wrought in Himself. "I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." (Revelation 3:21). Now "He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet." (1 Corinthians 15:2). And where does He reign? In us. By His Spirit He comes to dwell within us, rule within us, until everything within us is subjugated unto Him, and it can be said of us, as it was of Him, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." (John 14:30). That is overcoming! It means we must FIRST BE OVERCOME BY CHRIST, before we become overcomers with Christ. It is His victory, the same victory which was wrought "IN HIMSELF," that is now wrought IN US. Thus all of our overcoming becomes a further revelation of Jesus Christ-- expanding the glory of  His overcoming.
         How triumphant is His declaration, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). All of its negativity, all of its pressures, all of that which appeals to the lust of the flesh and is transitory and vanity, He overcame it all! Now He would share that victory with us.
         It is also significant that He prayed, "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil." (John 17:15). He did not pray for an escapism for us, because HE PURPOSES TO HAVE OVERCOMERS. To be "taken out" would cause us to miss the very purpose for being here, which is to be trained, developed, exercised, learning to OVERCOME it, and not give way to an over-desire for the world, but to find in Him the satisfaction for every inward desire. Truly, "He also hath planted eternity in men's heart and mind (a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun, but only God can satisfy)." (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Amplified). Only God can satisfy the desire HE has placed deep into every man. Yet, for the purpose of our processing, He also places the world before us, and then gives us the grace to overcome it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." ( 1 John 5:4). Praise God, because He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," (Hebrews 4:15) He is now able to empower us to likewise face all testings, and through Him to prevail, overcome, and not sin, i.e. not miss the mark.
          "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21). We already noted that He prayed "That Thou shouldest KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL." And now He reveals how we are to overcome evil-- with good. Interesting to note that in the Scriptures, apart from God Himself, Who we know is GOOD, there is only one realm which is spoken of as good.
          It is GOOD to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High." (Psalm 92:1 ).
          Young's Literal translation for Psalm 106:1, "Give thanks to Jehovah, FOR GOOD."
          Praise, giving thanks, is the realm of GOOD! This is the positive realm, and just the opposite from the negatives of complaining, grumbling, etc. The situation may be bleak, dark, a severe trial, but as one begins to praise and thank the Lord for all things, assured of the fact that since He allowed it, He will use it, then work it into good, such praising God works for overcoming.
         "Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20).
         "IN EVERY THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ( 1 Thess. 5:18).
         Much overcoming is wrought just by learning to give thanks IN and FOR all things, for in this very act we learn submission to the will of God, and worship Him rather than rebelling against Him, and what He is doing in our life.
         There are two Greek words for "evil."
         1) kakon, speaking of evil in the abstract sense.
         2) poneros, referring to evil in the concrete sense.
         That which is abstract is that which is generalized, while that which is in the concrete sense is that which is specific, names the thing. In the generalized term we all have had evil in our nature, for we "were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (Ephesians 2:3). The cure for this is to be "born again" and receive the new Christ-nature. Then in an active participation with Christ now dwelling within, there is an overcoming of all the evil around us-- facing up to these things, and gaining a victory over them.
         "I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked." ( 1 John 2:13). What victory! Not only overcoming all the generalized evil, rising above the circumstances and pressures of the times, but then also overcome those evil things which we face specifically-- openly identified as evil, things which can rightly be termed as "the wicked."
         The concrete evils which we face differ according to our various circumstances and are meted out to us for our development. Inwardly we may battle jealousy, temper, envy, resentment, pride, etc. all of which are evil in a concrete sense, and only Christ can enable us to overcome them, by yielding to the in workings of  His cross. And outwardly we face the expressions of evil from other men-- cruelties, back-stabbing, cursing, etc. But while they may "do us wrong," yet through Christ we can forgive and have victory in spite of these negatives. "And the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked." ( 1 John 2:14).
         How desperately we need the inflow of the Word of God, not in our heads as a mental knowledge, but DWELLING IN US. Not just quoting it by rote, but it becomes our life, enabling us to overcome the wickedness that may surround us. And then, regardless of the spirit-forces of evil which may challenge us, we can stand firm, knowing, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." ( 1 John 4:4).
         "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
         There are rewards-- blessings-- privileges-- promises-- which are linked to a definite state of being, which cannot be fulfilled until that condition has been attained. OVERCOMING is not always a popular word, because it speaks of testings and trials, obstacles arranged for our coming OVER them. Yet concurrent with overcoming is also an active participation in receiving of  His life. There is both an "in part" of present time, and a "fullness" which shall be realized as His purpose is fulfilled in us. Thus "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. - She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." (Proverbs 3:13,18).
         Wisdom has been defined as: the proper, good, and excellent use of knowledge. It is that, and more, so another definition goes: "Knowing the proper and right end of a thing, and also knowing the means to get to that end."
         The WISE will eat of the tree of life, for they know that the end is secure in Him who is both Alpha and Omega. They will not try to escape the way of the cross, but accept it as part of the means to an end, and in their overcoming they find Christ to be "The Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6). Ah, to KNOW HIM-- "This is age-abiding life, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3).
         "And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." (Proverbs 8:13). This is an attitude, not just some thing we learn, but a disposition of mind, a settled behavior that governs our action. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." (Proverbs 8:13). To hate evil is to love righteousness. No wonder this is a part of the tree of  life promised to the overcomers.
         Fearing God is not a superstitious fear which is born out of ignorance, such as taught in the doctrines of a "boogie-man devil," that many believe in. Nor is it a servile fear which holds one in terror of punishment. The wise know that all of God's actions are wrought out of His NATURE OF LOVE, purposed for our good, to bring us into His life. Thus, the real "fear of the Lord," is an awe and respect-- reverence for God, which brings us into a relationship and fellowship with Him. We are compelled to seek Him, that He might fill us with Himself.
         Furthermore, "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17). The first thing we note is its purity-- this is a condition. The wages of sin is death, but where there is no sin, there is no death. No wonder this wisdom, which is pure, is a tree of life which the overcomers need to lay hold of, and be filled with it.
         Peaceable-- no warfare, no contention, not argumentive, for truth needs no defense, it just IS. Follow through with all the seven-fold characteristics of wisdom mentioned here, and you find they are all a further revelation of the indwelling Christ-life. For, of a truth, wisdom is not only an attitude, and a right condition, but also a person. "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom..." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30).
         "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life" (Proverbs 11:30).
         "The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin." (Proverbs 10:16). Fruit-- the result of one's life-force, can either tend towards life, or towards death. Fruit is produced according to the inherent quality and life within. When Christ is that indwelling life, all that is brought forth will be an expansion and further revelation of that indwelling life. "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:11).
         "When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12). Desire signifies that you feel a lack. When all of our desires are directed God-ward, to be filled BY and WITH Him, surely this is a fulfillment of the tree of life.
         "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." Proverbs 15:4). Ah, when all that flows forth from our tongue is wholesome, that is both evidence that we are truly overcoming, and that He is in control of all that is within us, with even our speech revealing Him, for "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2). Amen!
         Since the overcomer partakes of the tree of life, it rightly follows-- "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11). The death process is a transition, as we die to one form of living, and come alive to another. When Adam turned from God to follow his own will, he died out to righteousness and life, and entered into the realm of death. In the spiritual aspect, "To be carnally minded (i.e. minding of the flesh) is death." (Romans 8:6). While deterioration into complete corruption and decay is death in the physical, natural aspect.
         The offence of the first Adam brought all men under the sentence of death for sin. Hence presently our mortal bodies are in a state of dying, and our minds need to be freed from minding the things of the flesh, to mind the things of the Spirit. The act of disobedience of Adam brought forth death.
         Now, one great act of obedience by the last Adam also brings forth a death for every man. The question arises, however, is this second death the same kind as the first? Many people think that it is a repetition of the first, and that the results are the same, while its action is more severe and cruel and destructive, being by fire. But God's seconds are never duplicates of the first, they are always better, higher, and used to counter-balance all the action of the firsts. Thus, by our identification with Christ, "being made conformable unto His death," (Philippians 3:10), we find that it is a dying out to our own self-will, and coming forth in HIS LIFE. And since the overcomers are participating NOW in the process of His cross, any future action of the second death processings will not hurt them, will not cause them to suffer loss.
         Paul writes of those who "are hurt" when he says, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:15). Thus we have a tremendous challenge for overcoming now-- that we lose nothing of the rewards and blessings which we ought to enjoy in Christ.
         "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17). How progressive are the unfolding blessings to the overcomer. Partaking of that tree of life-- life which cannot be hurt by any future second death process, but it remains full and abundant, because there is an eating, a partaking of the HIDDEN MANNA. Hidden-- Greek, "krupto," meaning: to conceal, hide, keep secret. There is a realm which He hath hidden "from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." (Matthew 11:25).
         Paul wrote, "May your spiritual experience become richer as you see more and more fully  God 's great secret, Christ Himself ! For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3, Phillips).
          Man is so prone to look for the visible, earthy realm. They said to Jesus, "Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." But Jesus replied, "Moses gave you not that bread from heaven;" (literally, not the bread of heaven), which is quite obvious, because "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead." But "The bread of God IS HE which cometh down from heaven, and giveth His life unto the world. - I AM the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." (John 6:51).
         Truly, the hidden manna is CHRIST-- "the hidden, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew..." ( 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Not to be received to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, nor for personal gain, so He is HIDDEN-- yet revealed to those whom He apprehends for overcoming, who become one in Him, to share of His life and glory.
         "And will give him a white stone." Biblical history gives some interesting insight, five things of which we would make mention. Five is the number of grace, and GRACE stands out all the way, enabling us to gain the victory, and freely giving us all things.
         1 ) The white stone bespeaks of acquittal. In their judicial process, coming to a decision, if they handed the individual a black stone, it meant condemnation; and sometimes the Greek word "theta" was engraved upon the stone, implying death. But if handed a white stone, it meant that he was judged not guilty. Thus to be handed a white stone, the overcomer has instant confirmation that he is fully justified, acquitted of all sin. "Therefore being justified by faith..." (Romans 5:1).
        Justified-- NOT "just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned," as some teach, that holds the implication that you did sin, but we'll say you didn't. The Greek word does not allow such a doctrine, it literally means: NOT GUILTY, NEVER BEEN GUILTY. Yet we know that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). How then can we be given a white stone? Because there is ONE LIFE that never did sin, He knew no sin, and He comes to dwell within us to BE OUR NEW LIFE. "No more I, but Christ liveth in me." Just as He is the hidden manna, He also is the sinlessness of the white stone. All of this is more of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
         2) The white stone was given to the winner of a race, or contest. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." ( 1 Corinthians 9:24). HE RAN! HE WON! And now in union with Him the overcomer shares the victory. "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14).
         White stones are also said to have been given to the victors in the Olympic games, with their names (or initials) engraved on them. "And in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." The name bespeaks of the nature, the character, and thus again it is a revelation of  Him in us.
         3) The white stone was used in the casting of lots in election, with the black stone for "nay" and the white stone for "yea." Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." (John 15:16). "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:4). And if  He be for us, who can be against us?
         4) The white stone was betimes handed to a guest, as a token of hospitality, a right to all that is in the house. He said, "In My Father's house are many mansions (rooms):... I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2). We are well aware that this is figurative language, but when He hands us that white stone, it is a word of WELCOME, your place is ready, you are joyfully received into Him, to share all the blessings of  Father's house.
         5) White stones were used in the allotting of an inheritance. We separated these points to examine them, but they all blend together. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." (Revelation 21:7). What tremendous love is revealed to us in the receiving of a white stone.
         "He that overcometh, and keepeth My words unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star." (Revelation 2:26-28).
         How beautifully the revelation unfolds, step by step, as we come into this intimate relationship with our Lord. So one in Him, so overcome BY Him, that He can now share His power with us, literally, AUTHORITY to rule over the nations. This privilege comes after we have learned to fully yield ourselves to His authority. Thus we become a manifestation of  His will and purpose in action-- an extension of  His life in the earth.
         Rule-- the Greek word means "to shepherd." This is no action of a tyrannical despot, but it is the tenderness of a shepherd, guiding in love, corrective when necessary, yet always the welfare of those in his care are his first concern. The subduing in all men shall be complete, even as it must be in us, but the end result is the total restoration of every man in Christ. "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28). Thus shall he truly become "All in all."
         "And I will give him the morning star." The morning star means the first, early, foremost one, given as the messenger to announce the new day that is coming-- that the greater light of God shall soon spread over the earth. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14). Light-bearers! What a glorious calling! Not a message of gloom and despair, but of the victory of Christ, that He is "the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1:9).
         "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment." (Revelation 3:5). No wonder they can bear a message of  light, of purity, of holiness, for they share out of a state of being. God has clothed them! "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:10). "That we might be made (become) the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). Not an imputed righteousness, but that internal possession of the Righteous One, so that it becomes a STATE OF BEING-- even as it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." ( 1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not something brought about by our works, it is inherent in His nature of which we are made partakers. One will DO holy things because they ARE holy. It bespeaks of wholeness, of the completed process of the new birth, so that spirit, soul, and body we shew forth the Christ-life.
         "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out..." (Revelation 3:12). It bespeaks of permanency, of a union with Him that abides. "Ye are the temple of the Living God: as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:16). No more to be plagued with the restlessness of desire, for they find in Him an eternal satisfaction, hence they "go no more out." Nor is it an up and down, on again off again possession, but it is pillarized-- to stand firm and strong in Him, ready to give support to the glory of His kingdom.
         "And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name." (Revelation 3:12). Jesus Christ fully overcame. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name." (Philippians 2:9). The Greek text reads, "THE NAME." While the actual name is not revealed, it indicates that a high title was conferred upon Him which bespoke of  His glorious rank and office, authority and power. Now He would share HIS OWN CONQUEROR'S NAME with us. So glorious, we can only say, "Whatever God means by this, may He fulfill it in us." To find our identity in His identity, and to bear His name, how awesome!
         "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." (Revelation 3:21). While it symbolizes the authority and position granted to the overcomer, there is much more, for truly, "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation (establishment) of His throne." (Psalm 97:2). Righteousness-- and then the process whereby all is brought into that state of  rightness, this is what establishes and upholds the integrity of the throne.
         It is a shared throne-- the Father, the Son, and all who are "made perfect in one," in Him. (John 17:23). So fully does the Father share the throne with His Son, that we read, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honor the Father." (John 5:22-23). And then that the Son shares this throne with His corporate brethren company, we read, "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints." (Psalm 149:6-9).
         While "Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne:" it is equally true that "mercy and truth shall go before Thy face." (Psalm 89:14). "Merciful, as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:36). Ah, no one dare call themselves genuine overcomers until they learn to be merciful as He is merciful, to "overcome evil with good." But "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7). How desirable is this throne of mercy!
         "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre." (Psalm 45:6). "Of the increase of  His government and peace there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9:7). Thus, in the very fullest sense of the word, in Him is ETERNAL LIFE.
         To the overcomer is given "to eat of the tree of life." They shall suffer no loss, shall not be hurt by this process of the second death, for in Christ all loss has been turned to gain. They eat of that hidden manna-- that Living Bread which fully satisfies. And they are enriched with all the blessings symbolized by the white stone. They are given authority and privileged to shepherd the nations, that "In thee shall all nations be blessed." Clothed with His righteousness, identified in His name-identity, and blessed to share His throne. All of this reveals ever more what Christ has become IN them, and THROUGH them. It all redounds to His praise. To share His glory does not rob Him of glory, but only expands it yet the more, and thus HE is exalted. "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47).
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  (1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris . REVELATION A POSITIVE BOOK.   Boise, Idaho, 83705  P.O. Box 5822