The Overcomers

In my last post, I said that Yeshua is our eternal high priest and the one who daily makes intercession for us before the throne of God.

Speaking of the Levitical system, we read in Hebrews 5:1-4 “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

In like manner, Yeshua did not take this honor unto himself. Hebrews 5:5 “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”

Yeshua is God’s Son, yet….Hebrew 5:8-9 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

We are told that these are the foundation of our faith, the starting point. In the previous verses, the writer tells his readers that they are dull of hearing and unable to understand the “meat” of the word. They are content to stay with the “milk” and are not equipped to handle solid food. Hebrews 5:13-14 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

We are to grow in our faith and become skillful in the path of righteousness, following the example of our savior. If we fail to grow in our walk with Yeshua, we will be tempted to turn back into the life we left behind.

Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

Isn’t that what Israel did after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (a picture of sin)? We already learned that their disobedience resulted in their not being able to enter into the rest that God promised them. What admonition is the believer given in light of their example? Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Again, Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?”

The apostle Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He compared the life of the believer to a race. 1Corinthians 9:24-25 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Hebrews 12:1b “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.“ Those who seek to master any discipline must be dedicated and single-minded, laying aside all distractions, that they may perform at the highest level. Paul said he kept his body in subjection.

Eight times in the book of Revelation, we are told that it is the overcomers who will receive the reward of eternal life.

Re 2:7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Re 2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Re 2:17 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.

Re 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Re 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Re 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: 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.

Re 3:21 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.

Re 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Believers often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast“. Do we, however, read the very next verse? Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

It is not our works that will bring us into our rest, but the works that Yeshua has prepared for us." Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform(finish) it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

The “works” and “gifts” that the believer possesses are not resident within himself/herself, but those that Yeshua has provided. Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: For our part, we need to yield ourselves to him and learn to be obedient to him in all things. He has given his “Torah”, instructions for righteous living and eternal life. May we all consider our ways, that we may be granted access into his glorious kingdom.

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”