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All right. The the part of the passage we're going to focus in on is right near the beginning of First John, Chapter five. Just look down at verse number four and five. We're going to reread these verses. The Bible says, for whatsoever is born of God, overcome at the world. And this is the victory that overcome at the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcome at the world? But he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God. And the reason why we're starting off here is we're getting a very clear definition when the Bible is using this term or this phrase, you know, overcoming, overcoming the world, that it's referring to people who are saved. It's just referring to believers right here, very clearly. This is the victory overcome at the world, even our faith. And it says, Who is he? So if you want to know who is it that overcomes the world? Who are we referring to when we're talking about people have overcome the world? Well, it's he that believe it, that Jesus is the son of God. Now, the reason why I make this point right from the beginning is because we're going to spend the majority of the time going through Revelation chapter two and chapter three. And actually, this sermon is a precursor to another sermon I preach next week, where we're going to go through all the various messages to the churches. So each individual church would go in depth on all of the messages that are given to each of the churches. But as I was studying that sermon out, I just kind of I don't know if I ever really paid attention to this. I knew it was in those chapters. I knew I remember seeing it, of course. And I know that people will turn to those portions of Scripture in Revelation two and three to try to prove like a works based salvation. And they'll say, see to him that overcomes. They're the ones that are going to heaven. They're the ones that, you know, and they will liken overcoming to like overcoming some sin in your life by doing good and following the law. And and that's their definition of overcome, which it's easier for them to get away with that, because if you just kind of think of the common usage of the word overcome, like you're overcoming something, oh, yeah, I'm overcoming this in my life or overcoming that in your life, you kind of think of it just kind of inherently goes hand in hand with the way that we use that word right now is just overcoming something where you had to work for it. But it's very when we look at how the Bible defines it, it's very, very, very clear that overcoming the world is completely reliant on whether or not you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And that is that simple. And that settles it. And what's also interesting is that you'll notice sometimes you'll notice common themes. You know, obviously we believe the entire Bible is the word of God, like God is the author. The Holy Spirit is the author of of the Bible. But each human instrument that's used also has their own little bit of style to it, like you kind of know there's certain topics that are covered within different books of the Bible, little bits of information that that's kind of consistent throughout the books. And John is definitely one of those writers where we see when you read the Gospel of John, when you read the first, second and third John, and when you read the Book of Revelation, you see a lot of subjects that get that you could find within all of those books consistently. And we'll talk almost like a theme between some of these subjects. And this one is no different about overcoming the world. So we see in first John Chapter five, who is he that overcome at the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God. In John Chapter 16, in the Gospel of John, we have a recording of something that Jesus said in John 16, 33. The Bible reads these things I've spoken unto you that in me you might have peace in the world. You shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. Right. So then this is something you don't see in other gospels, but you see this specifically here in the Gospel of John. And then, of course, we're going to turn to Revelation Chapter 21, where we'll be spending the most, or not. Yeah, turn to Revelation 21. But in Revelation two and three, we'll be spending most of our time in in the Book of Revelation. Is also a book that's the revelation of God to John, right? John's the one who received this revelation from God. It's funny, I listen to the Alexander Scorby audio Bible and when it starts off the Book of Revelation, it's a book of revelation. Of St. John the Divine or something like that, I think is what he says, and I'm thinking it's like it's not the revelation of John, it's a revelation of God. God's the one revealing it. He's giving it to John. It's not John's revelation. It's not like his knowledge. He's received this from God. It's one of those little things that I just. Just kind of think about, I don't know. Revelation, Chapter 21. Just again, I really want to nail down this concept of overcoming, right? Jesus is this one who said, Hey, be of good cheer because he's already overcome the world. We overcome the world through faith in him. Jesus conquered death and hell. Jesus is the one who ultimately overcomes the world. And the only way that we could overcome the world is through faith in him, through the one who did overcome the world and that we can be carried with him and partake of his victory. Revelation 21, we start reading verse number three, the Bible reads, And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people. And God himself shall be with them and be their God. So, of course, this is after like, you know, all his battles, everything that, you know, all the end times prophecies. So this is this is going into New Evan, New Earth stuff. Verse number four says, And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the thrones that behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Right, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him. That is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things. And I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Now, the reason why we're turning here is this one more example of reference to someone that overcomes. And I just want to make sure you understand that this is consistent throughout the Bible. I'm not just using a definition from what, you know, from First John five. Well, you can't apply that across because every time we're going to see this in context, it's always referring to that victory. You get the overcoming and you get through faith, which is evident here, because when the Bible says in verse seven, he that overcomes is going to inherit all things and you're going to receive of the inheritance that's been promised unto you. And I will be his God and he shall be my son. So you're a child of God because you've overcome. And then in the very next verse, this is the verse that we use when we go out sowing all the time, which, again, is going to make it clearly obvious it's talking about believers in verse seven, because in verse eight, it says, well, you know, the fearful and believing, Obama, you know, Mers, it says, and all liars shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. So obviously, we're all sinners. Right. And we use this to demonstrate to people that it says all liars, right? That's everybody. So you can't get around that. We all deserve this punishment. And we have this this part where we deserve to be to be paying for our sins in the lake of fire. And the reason why we are not considered a murderer or a whoremonger or a liar in the sight of God, even though you may have commit one of those sins or many of us, it doesn't matter, even though you may have commit the sins, you're not viewed as any of those things because you've been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. First Corinthians six. You have to turn if you want to. This is in my notes. But first Corinthians six very, very clearly spells that out. It's another another place in the scripture where we have a list of sins like that. And the Bible says verse number nine of First Corinthians six. Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Be not deceived. Neither fornicators nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor feminine or abusers of themselves of mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortion shall inherit the kingdom of God. So, again, this whole big list, right, and saying, look, none of these people are going to be are going to go to heaven, just like we see in Revelation 21, eight, and you know what these people they haven't overcome. They're going to the lake of fire. Right. Same exact type of thing. And then in verse 11 of First Corinthians six, the Bible says, and such were some of you. But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God. So once you have that pardon, once you have that forgiveness, once you have the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses you from all sin and God separates you from your sin as far as the east is from the west. So then God no longer is looking at you as a sinner, as a murderer, as a liar, as a fornicator, because you've been washed of all those things. And you become a child of God. You've overcome. So that's the only way that you can have verses in back to Revelation 21, verses seven and eight, you know, going side by side is that the overcoming in verse number seven is talking about believing, just like the first John five, five tells us who is he to overcome at the world. But he believed that Jesus is the son of God. It's the same overcoming. Now, again, I don't want that to be to go too painstakingly over that, but it's important to prove that, because as we get into Revelation two and three, to flip over to Revelation chapter two, as we get into this, you know, this is a key area where a lot of work salvationists, false teachers want to show you that you need to have some works or something to be saved. And when you get the foundation of what the Bible is talking about with overcoming, then you can read this in its correct context. And I started to make mention of this, but I didn't ever finish my thought. One of the things that stood out to me is that with every single admonition to every single church, there's a reference to he that overcometh. Every single one. At the end of every one, it's he that overcometh. And to me, this is just kind of an interesting, kind of a fun sermon. This isn't like some super serious doctrine. This isn't something about sin. You know, this is just something that stood out to me as being very interesting. And I think it's also kind of cool because all of these references that we're going to see is referring to what life is going to be like or what we're going to be able to expect as someone who has overcome. So in in our in our new life, in our new body, right? What what is the world going to be like when we see some some interesting, cool things that are going to happen? And hopefully this will be edifying for you. Definitely was for me as I started reading this. Look at chapter two of Revelation. Verse number seven. And this is also a phrase that you're going to see verses that you're going to see at the end of each letter that's written to each of the each of the churches at the time is he that an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth unto the churches. You see that after every single letter, every single message. He that an ear, let him hear the Spirit sayeth unto 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? Well, who is him that overcometh the world, but he that believe that Jesus is some God? Amen. So if you're a believer in Jesus Christ, guess what? You're going to get to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. That alone is pretty cool. You know, I've got with most of these, I've got some other supporting passages. So if you want to flip back to Revelation 22, we'll see another reference to this tree of life. It's also found we're not going to go back there, but back to Genesis in the Garden of Eden. That's where the tree of life was. Right. Adam and Eve, they were put in the garden. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden. But then after sin, after the fall of man and God, you know, basically kicked them out of the garden, then he put angels with flaming, fiery swords in charge of defending the tree of life so that no one could could get to it. And, you know, you could you could read all about that. But Revelation 22 is referring to, again, the new heaven and new earth. And we're going to see an imagery here of the tree of life where the Bible says in verse number one of Revelation 22. And he showed me a pure river of water, of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb in the midst of the street of it. And on either side of the river was there the tree of life, which bear twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nation. So this tree of life is amazing because you've got one tree that's producing twelve different manner of fruits, all different kinds. Right. So you've got, you know, whatever those fruits are. I don't know what they are. Apples, oranges, you know, whatever, whatever types of fruits you're going to be getting off of this tree. There's twelve different kinds and it yields fruit every single month. You know, here we've got trees that produce, you know, maybe once a year or something like that, you get your harvest. And this is a tree that's going to be producing every month, as well as the leaves being medicinal. The leaves being stays here for the healing of the nations. And again, you know, I don't want to read too deep and too far into this because there really isn't a lot of information there. But we see here that as a believer, we're going to have right to be able to eat of that tree of life. That tree of life is going to be coming basically it's going to be right by the water of life, by this river of water that's coming out of the throne of God. And when it says in the midst of the street of it, the street would just be like the pathway, like where the river is actually running. The tree is going to be, you know, must have roots or whatever. Maybe it's going to have some some, you know, trees kind of popping up, maybe all along one root system coming up out of the water, as well as on either side of the river, is what it says. And then it says in verse 3, of course, And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. Jump down to verse number 14. The Bible reads, 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. For without are dogs and sorcerers and whoremongers and murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. And again, we see this contrast between, he says, those that do his commandments. But then those, you know, are on the inside. Those that do his commandments and those on the outside, it says, are dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. So it's like, you know, one lie, you know, anyone makes a lie is not allowed in. But you're not a liar when you've been washed in the blood of Christ. You've overcome the world through Jesus Christ. That makes sense, right? And of course, in the new heaven and a new earth, you're going to have your new body and you're not going to sin anyways, which means you're only going to be doing the commandments of the Lord at this point in time. In Revelation 22, he says, you know, don't let that bother you. Blessed are they to do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life. Because at this point, when you have the new heaven and earth, everyone's going to be doing God's commandments. That's a child of God, because you're saved and your flesh is going to be saved and you're not even going to have a sinful body anymore anyways. So you will be doing the will of God. You'll be following His commandments, as he says. And those that are without, they're going to be in a lake of fire and, you know, burning, and they're not allowed in. So let's move on to our next reference in Revelation chapter two. You could stay and flip over Revelation chapter 20, if you want. I'm going to read from Revelation 2 11. So this is the next church. This is I think it's Smyrna. Yep, Smyrna. And then at the end of that message in verse 11, it says, He hath an ear, let him hear what the spirits say at the end of the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Again, this promises us our eternal security. So you're born again. You believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then you shall not be hurt of the second death of the lake of fire. You will not have that that punishment at all. Revelation chapter 20, verse number four. We're going to see the reference to the second death. The Bible reads, And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. So I'm about the millennial reign of Christ and those that have made it through tribulation and were martyred and everything else. And and stayed faithful to the end. They are ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ. Verse number five, it says, But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. So that first resurrection is when Jesus Christ comes back. And it's a resurrection of believers, of the saved, that that we're going to meet the Lord together in the air and we're going to be with him and we're going to rule and reign for a thousand years on this earth. But then that second resurrection doesn't come until after that whole thousand year period is finished. And that second resurrection is where we see people getting cast into the lake of fire, which we're going to see here in just a second. Verse number six says, Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. On such the second death hath no power. So again, that same truth is reiterated that we saw in Revelation Chapter two. The second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. Jump down to verse number 11. And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. And the books were opened and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Again, another reason why it's important to understand where you are in the context of Scripture, where you are in the time line of events so that people don't just turn to verses like this to try to teach false doctrine. And unfortunately, people just don't know the Bible very well at all and don't bother to read context when people are trying to show them things. But if you'd already read through the earlier parts of Revelation, as we did, you'd see that the first resurrection, you can link this back with 1 Corinthians 15. You can tie this back to other passages about that first resurrection, the second coming of Jesus Christ, to say, hey, believers aren't going to be part of this part of the resurrection, which is also why it says that the dead were standing before God, which is a very important word to use that they're dead, because the Bible doesn't refer to believers as being dead. In fact, typically the usage is going to be maybe they were sleeping or someone is talking about someone who physically has died. But all throughout scripture, you see there is a very concerted effort to not really use the term dead in reference to believers, because they're not dead. They if you have eternal life, you live forever. You don't ever die physically. Your body passes away. Yes, but that's even that's temporary before it's renewed at the second coming of Jesus Christ. We have a new body where your body's changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. But just like Jesus was talking about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he said that, you know, Abraham rejoiced to see my day. And he was talking about them, that God's not the God of the dead. He's the God of the living and referred to all these Old Testament saints as being alive there. You know, when you are saved, you are alive. So the people who are standing before God at this great white throne are the dead. The people who don't have eternal life, the people who never were born again when they died physically on this earth, their soul went to hell. And now the dead and it's but it's a resurrection. So they actually are having their being reunited with their bodies. In a similar fashion to the saved being reunited with their bodies, except their bodies aren't perfect. They're going to be reunited. But it's with a dead body. It's not it's not going to be the same type. I don't know exactly what the body is going to be like, but it's not. It's not the same type of body that we have. They're going to be standing before that great right there. And that's why it said when I saw the dead, small and great stand before God. Or verse number 13, it says, and the sea gave up the dead, which were in it. You know, the dead by people who died at sea, the death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them. And they were judged every man according to their works, which is another indicator, you know, again, with just basic, basic doctrine that we're saved by grace through faith. And it's not of our works. So if people are being judged by their works, it's not those people aren't saved. Because the only reason we can be saved is by receiving that free gift. Hey, if you don't receive that free gift, then guess what? All you're left with are your works. And your works are not going to add up to salvation. It ain't going to happen. And if you don't have a pardon for your sins, then you're going to be found lacking. And what's going to happen is what's going to happen here in verse 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. But you know what to him that overcometh? The second death has no power over them. This is a point in time where I believe we're going to be witnessing this because the heaven earth is going to flee away. I mean, this is this is at this transition period with the new heaven and new earth right after the millennial reign of Christ, this great white throne judgment where. There's going to be all these people standing before God being judged according to their works and being cast into that lake of fire. But this is I mean, and this is that what a dreadful. What a dreadful scenario. I mean, think about the stage being said, standing before God and having an answer for all the sins that you've ever done and being judged according to your works. Man, I wish that that we can do a good job when we go out and talk to people about the good news of Jesus Christ when people don't really want to listen to to to get them to think about this, about this judgment that that is to come. That is to come. This isn't just fantasy. This isn't mythology. This is made up. This is going to happen. And they're going to be standing before God, and they're going to have to rely on their works to save them and they will fall miserably short. And and I assume they're going to be able to see the lake or the lake of fire. And people just just one by one going in, just being cast into that lake of fire. And this shouldn't be at this point anything new anyways for people who have already you know, these people have died. They've already been spending time in hell. And now they're being brought before the judgment, the judgment seat of God to actually hear and know specifically why they've got that judgment. What a dreaded day, you know, all the more reason why we need to to get out and reach people, because you know what you've overcome. We don't have to worry about that dreadful day. At all, that won't be a dreadful day for us. We'll know we're safe and secure. Look at our next reference in Revelation, if you would, back to Revelation chapter two. This one's cool. I don't I don't have another cross reference for this one. I thought there was one I was having a hard time finding it. If if you know of one, let me know after after service or or slip up your hand real quick and let me know. I couldn't I couldn't find one, though. I couldn't remember if there's one in his ego or not. I was kind of thinking there might have been, but anyways, let's read verse number 17 here. The Bible says 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 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. So this is, again, him that overcometh. Whoever whoever is a believer. First of all, you're going to get to eat of the hidden manna, right? And this is where I believe God's going to be revealing a lot more knowledge that, you know, the hidden manna manna in the Bible is symbolic of the word of God. It's symbolic of receiving, you know, what whatever you need. The man does not live by bread, by bread alone, but every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. That's what God was teaching with the manna in the wilderness. That's what the Bible teaches. That that that was done for was to get people just focused on receiving from the word of God. So here the hidden manna, I believe is going to be, you know, the dark sayings, the things that may be more difficult to understand that he's going to give us that so we can understand all those things that you didn't quite get in scripture. And you could be taught new things and understand, oh, man, that's what that means, you know, and be able to have that level of understanding that you've always wanted to have from the various places of scripture that may have been a mystery to you. And to me, that's exciting. That's pretty cool. Just that first part. And then secondly, and he says, and I will give him a white stone. And in the stone, a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. So no one else is going to know his name. God's got a special name for you. And what a good testament to how God cares about each and every single individual person. I mean, think about every believer who's ever lived. And every single one receiving their own special new name written in the stone, prepared from your Heavenly Father. I mean, that's cool. That's that's that, you know, there's going to be so many people. Right. Who knows how many people, but throughout all of history, how many people have been saved and are going to be in heaven and every single one that has that personal connection with God, where He loves you and cares about you and knows everything about you and gives you a new name. Even just knowing this, you know, as we see in the Bible, names are typically given because they have meaning and they typically are meaning based on something on like your characteristic. Right. Something about who you are. I don't know if we're having any control of this, but I have a feeling that, you know, I'm at least want to live in a way where I'm going to be really happy with that new name. Like, I don't want my name to be least right. Remember Matthew, chapter five, I think it's verse 17 that that says that, you know, he that he that breaks the least of these commandments and teaches men so he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Right. I don't want that made to be like you look at your name, you're like, oh, man, I knew I shouldn't have done that. I knew I should just listen. I want to have this cool name. I mean, I think like Peter has a cool name, Cephas. It's pretty cool. Stone. He's like, you know, that's that's not that's not bad. How about bow energies? The sun's a thunder. That's pretty cool, huh? The people have got some pretty cool names in scripture. And and I'm looking forward to what this is, that God's going to have a name that's special to you and no one else is going to know it. But you cool thing to look forward to. Does anyone know of another reference for anything like that? Because I don't. I is it an Ezekiel? Yeah, I have one more thing. Isaiah. I knew it. You know, I probably was because I was looking in the wrong place. Let's turn Isaiah 62. I want to look at this. Because I swear that I. What verses? one and two. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Verse one reads for Zion's sake, will I not hold my peace and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof is a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness and all kings thy glory. And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Now, here's why I didn't include this one, because when I was looking at it, I think this name is more to a group of people, to like a city and not to an individual. That's why I didn't include this, even though this is talking about this new name. I don't see this one as being. That's why I didn't include because I did look this one up when I was studying this out. I could see where you go either way on that, but when I was looking at it and kind of read the whole chapter, read that again later on and tell me what you think about that later. But let's go back to Revelation 2. That is the closest one. And you know what? I think in the past that I read that and made that same connection that you did there, which is why I kept thinking like, this is in the Scripture, but when I looked at that out, I think I kind of changed my mind in thinking that that's more for a city as opposed to what this is, because this is very specific and very individual for each person. Let's jump down to verse 26 in Revelation 2 as our next reference of He that overcometh. And He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to Him will I give power over the nations. Now, of all the references we're going to see in Revelation 2 and 3, this is the only one that adds this extra bit of and keeps my works unto the end. And I do believe that this is including the works that you do with just being a saved person, right? That this particular blessing or this particular, you know, what we can expect to see here or expect to receive is specific to actually people who are working and doing the works. Right? So it says in verse 26, and He that overcometh and keepeth my works 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. He that an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. So I think that the people will be put in positions of power to rule and reign during that thousand years are going to be the people who have been doing the works for the Lord. Now, everyone's going to be there. And in one sense, you can say you're ruling and reigning because you're going to have your you're a saved person and you're going to have more access than people who are maybe unsaved during this time and in the nations that are round about the Lord during that thousand years. And but however, the people who are actually going to be like ruling with a rod of iron. This is reserved for the people who are not just saved, but actually did the works of the Lord. And I think this is what you're going to see. I have Luke 19 as as my one reference that I want to kind of look at to go through this. But this is going to be the result of what is given at the judgment seat of Christ, where the believer receives rewards based on your works, because obviously your works don't save you. But the works do matter in the sense that you will receive blessings. You receive rewards based on the work that you do for the Lord. So works just aren't meaningless. It's not like, well, I'm saved. So who cares? Well, no, there's a lot to care about. And there's many reasons to obey God. And one of them of many, one of many is just, hey, God will reward you for doing good. All the good works you do, even though it should just be expected of you, God goes over and above that and will reward you for doing good things. And when and when he takes a whole look at all the works that you've done in your life, tries them with fire, that which has eternal value, that's the gold, the silver, the precious stones that abides the fire, you get rewards based on that. And the parable that we're going to look in Luke 19, I think ties that reward with what we're seeing in Revelation 2 about he that keepeth my works under the end of him, will I give power over the nation? So look at Luke 19 verse number 12. Bible reads, he said, therefore, a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And he called his 10 servants and delivered that. Now, before we even get any further in this, he's likening that he's using this parable. But look at how many parallels there are anyways. Someone who goes away to receive a kingdom for himself and then comes back. And what does Jesus do? He goes away for a time and then he's coming back and he's coming back to set up his kingdom and he's going to come back and he's going to reckon with his servants. OK, what have you been doing since I've been gone? This is what happens in the parable. Obviously, this ties in to when Jesus comes back to set up his kingdom here on Earth. Right. He's coming back. He said, I went away. I secured my kingdom. Now I'm coming back and setting it up. Verse 13. And he called his 10 servants and delivered them 10 pounds and said unto them, Occupy till I come. So then here I've got work for you to do. Get busy. Right. Get to work. Occupy is where the word occupation comes from. You have an occupation. You have a job. Yeah, occupy. I've given you the skills that you need. Now go do it. Verse 14. But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him saying, We will not have this man reign over us. And it came to pass that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called on them to whom he had given the money that he might know how much every man had gained by training. Then came the first saying, Lord, thy pound have gained 10 pounds. So the first guy comes and he gave me a pound. Well, I've been busy. Here's 10. Here's the profits. Here's here's what I did with that, right? I went to work. I worked for you. Now, here's the fruit of my labor. Verse 17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant, because thou has been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over 10 cities. So the reward he's giving them here is the ability to rule and reign with him and be an authority over cities. But this is someone who has been doing work. He's been occupying. He's been working. Verse number 18. And the second came saying, Lord, thy pound have gained five pounds. So this guy came. He didn't do quite as good as the other one, but he still was able to get five pounds. He was profitable. He did. You know, he still worked. Verse 19. He said, Likewise to him, be thou also over five cities. So it's not this equality. Well, everyone just gets 10 cities. No, it's how much work are you doing? And God's going to reward you based on the amount of work that you do. You know, the thief that died on the cross, he's going to be over zero cities. But, you know, the one that put his faith in Christ, he's still going to be in heaven. He's still going to be there during the millennial reign. But he's not going to be ruling and reigning over over any, you know, over, you know, a bunch of cities or whatever. He's going to be probably in a very, very, very small whatever. I don't know. Bible doesn't talk about the smallest positions because I think God wants you to strive for the best positions, right, the best rewards. Verse number 20. And another came saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee because thou art an austere man. Thou takest up that thou layeth not down and reapest that thou didst not so. And he saith unto him, out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest I was an austere man taking up that I laid not down and reaping that I did not so. Wherefore then gave us not thou my money into the bank that at my coming I might have required my own with usury. And he said unto them that stood by, take from him the pound and give it to him that ten pounds. And they said unto him, Lord, you have ten pounds. For I say unto you that unto everyone which hath shall be given, excuse me, that unto everyone which hath shall be given and from him that hath not even that he has shall be taken away from him. So this is someone who did no work. But this person still saved. He had no work, so he's like, you know what that what I have given you originally? Give that to the guy who did ten. He's already got ten. Yeah, he's going to bless him and bless them abundantly. You don't you have nothing, but he's still in because the first number 27 says, But those mine enemies who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither and slay them before me. And this is an illustration of Jesus Christ coming back, reckoning with people, OK, you did a lot of work. Here you go. You're going to rule and reign here. I'm going to give you this may say this may say you didn't do anything. So what I've given you now, the guy who had ten, he's getting eleven. And you you're not ruling or reigning. But you know what? He's still in the kingdom. He's not being killed. He's not being slain like the enemies are slain because he's not an enemy. He just didn't do anything. There's really a lot of believers who aren't the enemies, but they're not really doing anything. And they expect to get these rewards and it's going to be like, nope. Yeah, the rewards you think you got. That's going to this guy over here. It's all right. I have this thought of these weird like socialist, communist, so-called Christians. And their their ideas on how, you know, everything needs to be fair and equal and everything like that's not God. I mean, God is fair. Don't get me wrong. I was saying God's not unfair, but but their conception of what's fair and equal and stuff like that. It's not the same as God. God's saying, you know what? The harder you work, the more you're going to get. Sounds right to me. I don't want to get down that rabbit trail. Let's go back. Let's go to Revelation Chapter three. So that's like I said, that that was the one reference in Revelation two that that adds the keeping my works to the end. Right. So that's the the receiving the authority to judge and rule over cities is a position that you can receive by not only being saved, but also keeping the works. The rest of them now go back to just people who are saved, people who are believers, people have overcome Revelation three, verse number five. The Bible reads, 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches and the confidence that we can receive from this one verse alone. I mean, there is eternal security spelled out for you very clearly, multiple ways in this one verse. You're going to be clothed in white raiment, right? White is that purity. Neil, completely spotless, sinless being projected here, being clothed with white raiment. He says, I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. You will not lose your place. Not going to happen. You are secure, he says. But I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. We can trust that and believe that if you have over, he that overcometh, who's he that overcometh, but he did believe it that Jesus is son of God. You're going to have white raiment. Your name is secure in the book of life, and he will confess your name before my father. Now, confessing the name before my father, I think, is also important because there's other passages in the gospels and specifically Matthew. I'll read this for you from Matthew 10, where people, again, try to say, oh, well, if you're not doing the works and Jesus Christ isn't going to confess you before his father. Well, we see right here that if you've overcome, it means you're a believer and that Jesus says, I will confess his name before my father. Matthew 10, 32 says, Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men. So we'll get to that in just a second. Him will I confess also before my father, which is in heaven, but whosoever shall deny me before men. Him will I also deny before my father, which is in heaven. And we say, what do you mean about confessing me before men? Well, Romans 10, eight says, But what saith it? The word is neither even in thy mouth and in thy heart. That is the word of faith, which we preach, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. That's the confessing Jesus before men. It's putting your faith in Jesus Christ and calling on the name of the Lord. That's the confession that he's expecting. That's the confession he wants to say. You do that. You confess Jesus. He'll confess you before the father. You've confessed your faith in Jesus Christ. You've you've spoken out your faith. You've called on the Lord and he saved you. And therefore, because you did that, he will confess you before his father. It's good news. Bible also says, 1st John, 4, 15. Again, it's funny, it's in the book of John. One of one of the books of John, who whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God. So that that confession is great. But man, eternal security that is just just nailed down. You know, these people, the people who want to teach the work salvation, they don't go to Revelation 3-5. They'll go to the other, the other references in Revelation. They'll go to the one that we just saw about and keepeth my works unto the end. But failed to, you know, it's all just to just to twist scripture. But we can see. And this is why I like doing these type of topical studies where we're just going through each of the references, because we're getting it in a full context. And like I said, next week, we'll go over all of the specifics to each church. But these ones are added in to each church. I believe for encouragement and edification for the believers, because every one of these churches has to have believers, otherwise not church. Now, some of them have had bad leadership. Some of them are like really close to losing their place as even being considered a church in God's eyes. They're going to be, you know, removed from their candlestick. It's just going to be wiped away if they don't repent and get right. But they still have believers in each of these churches. So as they're receiving the news and their report card, so to speak, of how good of a church they've been, they're all getting these verses included in their message about overcoming. Revelation 3.12 says, Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and ye 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Now, this is different than the name that you're going to get in a stone, because that's your name. He's saying I'm going to write on you my new name. So His new name is going to be written on you. And I think, and this is a little bit of a side note, I think that verses like this are going to be used by the Antichrist when he comes to try to, you know, play the mark of the beast as being something that you should do. And you say, oh, you believe the Bible. Well, look, I'm here. If he's claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, he's saying, well, here's my new name. Because the mark of the beast, the 666, it's a number of a man. And that's what it is. It's an identifier of a person. So you're going to basically be implanted, you're, you know, given that name after you worship the beast and his image, then you're going to get his name. That's what I believe it is. That's 666, because it's a number of a man that's going to be given to you. And it's going to be given to you in a way where you can use some Scripture to try to say, see, we're fulfilling this prophecy now. Take this mark, because this is my new name. Which is also why I don't believe He's going to come saying He's Jesus. Because, you know, another that comes in His own name, Him they will receive. And also, it would tie more closely if Satan's trying to use Scripture to deceive people, saying, well, it's a new name. Or I'm going to write upon Him my new name. So this is my new name. Whatever that may be. All the names of blasphemy. But Revelation 22, before you have to turn, your Bible says, And they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads. So, again, Revelation 22 is the last chapter of the Bible. And it's talking about people who are in the kingdom. And they're going to have His name in their foreheads. One more reason. We know the mark of the beast is going either in the right hand or in the forehead. Perfect opportunity for the antichrist to use these Scriptures. All the more reason. We need to be familiar with all this stuff so that we are not deceived. Now, I know we're not going to be deceived by the antichrist. The Bible says that we're not. He's going to do what's made lying. Science is wonder that if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. But it's not possible because we know the voice of the shepherd and we're not going to follow another. But this is important for just being able to explain to other people, hey, look out for this. Watch out when someone comes trying to write their new name. I mean, if this isn't happening in Revelation 22, like, if this isn't happening after you've already seen people cast into a lake of fire, then don't be taking any new names in your forehead. Right? Just avoid that. Because if you take the mark of the beast, you've sealed your fate and you're damned forever. Because everyone that takes the mark of the beast goes to hell. Let's look at the next... We're almost done. Last passage, Revelation 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. So, one more reference to, you know, basically like ruling with Him, but being able to share that. And I just love the closeness of our Savior with us. Right? Just like there's the closeness with the Son and the Father. And He's using that to liken that closeness with us saying, you know, as He's set down with His Father in His throne, you know, I'm going to grant you to sit with me in my throne. And what a great promise. And what great closeness. And being able to share in that with us who is completely undeserving of all of that love and attention and grace. But we serve an awesome God. I mean, just an amazingly loving and merciful God. Even though our detractors say contrary, it's true. God is, you know, they don't understand it. And they don't understand Him. But this is amazing. Revelation 22 5 says, And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. And I think that reigning forever and ever has to do with Him letting us, you know, be with Him in His throne. So, some real cool stuff. And as I got into this more and more, like I said, I was preparing. Next week, we're going to get more into each of the messages of the churches. This is all contained in Revelation 2 and 3 and just tons of content there. So I kind of wanted to split that apart. Hope you enjoyed the sermon. You know, He that overcometh, none of this except for that one passage that refers to actually having works and addition being saved. They all have to do to people who are saved, people who are just believers in Jesus Christ. These are the things that we get to look forward to in the time to come. Let's bow our heads and have a word of prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you so much for all the information that you've given us about things that have happened in the past and as well as about things that are going to happen in the future. God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for just making the ultimate sacrifices for us and that you've given us this opportunity for salvation and so much more. I pray that you please help us to be focused on the things that matter that we could earn these great rewards in heaven and that we would treat our lives here seriously and stop wasting our time on things that don't really matter, but get focused and get moving on serving you and doing things that have eternal value. God, we love you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.