The Promises of Jesus to Those That Overcome

As believers, we are in a spiritual battleground on earth. We are advancing toward the kingdom of heaven, and Jesus our conquering King expects us to overcome. In the last book of the bible, The Book of Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3), Jesus gives 7 powerful promises to those who overcome this world. We shall look at them later in this article.

The Greek word used for overcome is Strong’s Greek 3528 which means, ‘To conquer, be victorious, overcome, prevail, subdue; to subdue’. This implies having something to prevail over. We are to overcome this world and the ruler of this world, the devil and his armies.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Matthew 11:12

We must overcome if we are to make it to our destination which is heaven. Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven suffering violence and the violent taking it by force. This implies, therefore, that it is not easy to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not for the faint in heart, but only those who overcome this world, its temptations, and distractions.

Endure to the end to overcome

The Christian walk is not easy. We have an adversary, the devil, who is on the prowl always looking to hinder us so that we will not overcome this world. Instead, he wants to overcome us so that we may perish with him. The only way we can overcome him is by staying vigilant and using the weapons the word of God has given us to help us overcome.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”

1 Peter 5:8

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Matthew 24:13

Jesus has overcome this world and assures us that we can too

We are not alone in this warfare. Jesus the author and finisher of our faith has overcome this world. And therefore through him, and faith in him and what he accomplished on the cross for us, we too can overcome. He encouraged us to have peace because even though we shall have afflictions in this world, he has overcome the world. And because he lives in us and is with us, we can overcome too. Only provided that we keep our eyes fixed on him.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

How we can overcome this world:

1. Our faith in Jesus/ Being born of God

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1 John 5:5

“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 

2. The word of God abiding in us

“I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

1 John 2:14

3. Greater is he that is in us (Jesus), than he that is in the world (the devil)

“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

4. Putting on the whole armor of God

Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a summary of the weapons we can use to overcome this world. Through them, we can stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil, withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand. They are listed in the verses below:

^“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”

Ephesians 6:10-18

5. Overcome evil with good

We cannot fight the devil using his own weapons. He is evil and the author of all evil and unrighteous works. Therefore to overcome him we must live holy lives, be righteous, and do good. Good overcomes evil and light overcomes darkness.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5

6. The Holy Spirit is with us

We are not alone. Jesus told us that he would not leave us comfortless or orphans. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, he guides us into all truth and empowers us to live this Christian walk victoriously. Having a living relationship with the Holy Spirit is instrumental in helping us overcome this world.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

John 14:16-17

The 7 promises of Jesus to he who overcomes

Finally, Jesus in his messages to the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 2 and Chapter 3), gave promises to all who overcome. These promises are for us. By studying the messages, rebukes, and affirmations in these messages, we can encourage ourselves to stand firm and overcome. Jesus has prepared glorious things for his children.

“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- To the church of Ephesus

“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

Revelation 2:11- To the church in Smyrna

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- To the church in Pergamos 

“he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

Revelation 2:26- To the church in Thyatira 

“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.”

Revelations 3:5- To the church in Sardis 

“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.”

Revelation 3:12- To the church in Philadelphia 

“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- To the church of the Laodiceans 

Jesus has prepared wonderful things for those who overcome this world beloved. Let us stand firm, stay vigilant, watchful, and remember that above all, we are more than conquerers in Christ Jesus. He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. Let us abide in him!

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Romans 8:37

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