The Reward of the Overcomer by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 20, 1915

The Reward of the Overcomer

By C. M. S.

God is unchangeable, and his purpose unalterable. That purpose has been working out through the ages, and through all time has run the unbreakable thread of his living promises to his own. He pronounced a penalty upon Adam for his transgression, but in announcing the penalty he gave the promise of the Redeemer. The promise to Abraham and his seed was a promise that involved the restoration of this earth to its sinless condition, as a fit place for the habitation of God's righteous remnant.

Moab and Ammon, the enemies of God's people of old, are the types of the enemies of God's faithful people through all the ages. So God's promise that the residue or remnant of his people should possess their land (Zeph. 2:9) was also a prophecy of the time when the wicked shall be utterly removed from the earth, and the habitations of sin give place to the habitations of righteousness. “Ye shall tread down the wicked,” says Inspiration through Malachi; “for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 4:3.

God's people are they that triumph over sin; and he says of them, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Rev. 21:7. Again he says, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11. It is his own, his remnant, his peculiar people, that walk thus.

So precious is God's remnant in his sight that he declares: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day that I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Mal. 3:17. Inspiration could, seemingly, use no stronger comparison to show how precious in the sight of the Father are the lives and happiness of those who will stand unswervingly for him in spite of the most bitter persecutions. The Lord also likens them to perpetual pillars in his eternal temple.

He tells us through Isaiah that those who are his willing servants and are obedient (who keep his commandments) shall “eat the good of the land.” Isa. 1:19. That does not have reference to the good things of this sin-cursed earth, but to those truly “good things” of that goodly land where sin and sorrow no more can come.

Again: it is said of those that are his, “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps. 37:11. Christ gave the most positive assurance to his faithful ones of the reward that awaited them. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you;” and just as surely as he was to go and prepare a place for them, he was to come again and take them to himself to be with him forever. The thought is further emphasized in these words of the revelator: “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. 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.” Rev. 21:3, 4.

His faithful ones, his remnant, he himself declares will be watching for his return; and one of the blessed experiences of that class is foretold in these words of Christ: “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Luke 12:37.

These are the overcomers. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Rev. 14:4. This is the class to whom the Saviour refers in these words: “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. 3:5. The white raiment is the robe of Christ's righteousness, which he promises to place upon those who are his. The prophet Daniel, in speaking of this class, says that they shall shine “as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3.

Out of great tribulation they come; out of the sorceries and philosophies and superstitions and false religions of modern Babylon they are called. “I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” See Rev. 18:1-4. They that heed that call sit down at the grandest feast the universe will ever afford.

When “the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready,” then shall the overcomers experience the fullness of the joy of the accepted invitation that has come to them in the gospel. “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Rev. 19:7-9.

All these promises and these blessed experiences are for the remnant that prove faithful to God through the most trying experiences that can come to the people of this world. What matter persecutions and oppositions when faithfulness to God brings such rich rewards?

C. M. S.