Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26–29; 3:5, 12, 21

Explore the Bible 

Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

Let Them Hear

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26–29; 3:5, 12, 21

Promise of Life (2:7, 11, 17; 3:5, 12)

John is a master of Scripture. He has studied it, breathed it and lived it. The Old Testament pours forth from his pen to the letter he addresses to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea). This is certainly evident when, drawing on Matthew 11:15, he writes, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Rather than becoming dull and insensitive, the churches are to listen to God’s admonition.

Those who have “ears to hear” know they are to overcome. This is a call to the churches to persevere in their commitment to Christ despite pressure to apostatize.

As in the first century, Christians today experience the pressure to succumb to culture’s call to deviate from the teachings of Christ or face consequences. Who likes to be called closed minded or a bigot? Who likes to be ostracized to the margins of society? Who likes to endure unbearable fines for their obedience to Christ? Most of us would have a hard time answering yes to these questions. Even still, believers must hold fast to Christ at all costs.

John uses rich, biblical imagery to describe the reward for those who overcome. To these God will give “to eat of the tree of life” (Rev. 2:7) and on them will be written the “name of the city of … God, the new Jerusalem which comes down … out of heaven” (Rev. 3:12). 

The image of the tree of life looks back to the Garden of Eden in which God’s presence dwelled and from which Adam and Eve were separated because of sin (Gen. 2–3). Yet books such as Ezekiel (28; 36–37) look forward to the day when God will once again dwell with His people in a new Eden (Rev. 22:2–4). 

The image of the new Jerusalem also is found in Revelation 21:9–27. This is the place where God will dwell eternally with people from every nation, where He will share His eternal space with a diverse multitude of His followers.

Reconciling these images, we see that those who overcome will dwell in a city that will be a new Eden. Here God will walk with His people forever as He did with Adam and Eve. But unlike the original garden, there will be no end to fellowship.

Promise of Purpose (2:26–29; 3:21)

Those who persist in Christ also will rule with Him in the eternal city. This will be a shocking reversal of roles. The persecuted will become the rulers, and the persecutors will be crushed “as when earthen pots are broken in pieces” (Rev. 2:26–27).

Indeed the future looks bright for God’s people. There is no reason for Christians to be discouraged about the future — for they will inherit a kingdom that stretches far beyond what they can presently imagine, one in which their enemies will face God’s judgment (Ezek. 36–37; Is. 65–66; Dan. 7; Rom. 4:13; Rev. 21).

So although we face hostility and persecution from an unbelieving world, we must not waver in our allegiance to Christ. If we grow weary and fall away, then we have no eternal inheritance. 

Let us take to heart the exhortation from Hebrews 12:1–2: “Let us run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who … endured the cross, despising shame and sat down at the right hand of God.” Like Jesus, we too have the joy of an eternal kingdom set before us. So let us “overcome,” knowing an eternal city awaits where our enemies shall be crushed and we will reign with the King of Kings forever.