The Overcomers-who are they? (Part 1)
Many people don’t read the Book of Revelation. When they do, they skip the seven letters to the seven churches because they suppose that they were written to a set of very bad churches! As we shall see, the churches that we see today have all or some of the characteristics mentioned here. Great blessings are promised to those who overcome the short fallings of these churches.

Rev.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 Elohim.
Rev.2:10. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev.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.
Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 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.
Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my Elohim, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my Elohim, and the name of the city of my Elohim, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my Elohim: and I will write upon him my new name.
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne…
All the above promises are given by Yahshua Messiah to Christians who resist and overcome satan. These are the ultimate blessings that we should all aim for. Many Christians read the Bible daily, go to church regularly, attend “revival” meetings and give generously to their pastors or churches—all with the intention of getting good health and prosperity on earth. But just imagine how much more blessed it is to live in a place where there is no ‘more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain’ (Rev.21:4).
The seven blessings are given to the seven churches in Revelations. They were churches which were started with good intentions but which soon forgot the original noble purpose and became like nominal churches like today. These blessings were given to the churches with the condition that they turn away from their present state and ‘overcome’ the evils in the churches. What were the shortcomings of these churches?
Ephesus- famous for the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world. For three years Paul labored there. John is supposed to have resided in this city, and to have preached the gospel there for many years; the church known for having laboured hard and not fainted, and separating themselves from the wicked; admonished for having forsaken its first love (2:4).

Smyrna - was a large, beautiful, and proud city. It was a center of learning and culture. It was a great city for trade. Smyrna signifies "myrrh", which is bitter in taste, signifying the bitter trials, persecutions, and deaths of the people of Elohim. Myrrh is also of a sweet smell, so were those saints, in their sufferings for Messiah. Smyrna was the church admired for its tribulation and poverty; forecast to suffer persecution (2:10).

Pergamum - was the political capital of the Roman Province of Asia the Less. It was also an extremely religious city. It had temples to the Greek and Roman gods. The church was located at 'Satan's seat'; needed to repent of allowing false teachers (2:16)

Thyatira - the smallest and least important of the seven cities Yahshua addresses in Revelation. Thyatira was an important center of business and trade. It had many active trade guilds. The church was known for its charity, whose "latter works are greater than the former"; held the teachings of a false prophetess (2:20).

Sardis  - was a wealthy city, being situated at the junction of several important roads and trade routes. The connection between Sardis and money - easy money - was well known in the ancient world. This city was also a city well known for its softness and luxury, reputation for apathy and immorality. The church that has a good name; cautioned to fortify itself and return to Elohim through repentance (3:2-3)

Philadelphia - The name of this city means brotherly love, Philadelphia was a prosperous city. It was the gateway from one continent to another.” (Barclay). The church steadfast in faith, that had kept Elohim's word and endured patiently (3:10).

Laodicea, - was an important, wealthy city, with a large Jewish population. It was also a noted commercial center. Their problem was poor water supply. Its’ main water supply came through a six-mile long aqueduct from the hot springs of Hierapolis. Because the water came from hot springs, it arrived lukewarm and unappetizing. The church was lukewarm and insipid (to Elohim) (3:16).

With this short background in mind, we will see the sins of the seven churches and how we can overcome the. (To be continued…)

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