Reward of the Overcomer.
By H. F. Phelps
AN overcomer is one who vanquishes or surmounts. He vanquishes all his foes. He surmounts all difficulties that may come between himself and the object sought. Those who are truly overcomers, go clear through, overcome to the last, and they enjoy the final reward. What is to be the reward of those who are found overcomers in the Christian race? We may, perhaps, form a very faint idea by reading some of the promises. And yet when we read what Paul says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him,” we learn that even our imaginations must come far short of the reality. But yet we read again, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.” Then we would thank God, and try by faith, to lay hold of the promises, and catch a faint glimpse of the great and final reward. Although we have many obstacles to meet, yet it is possible to overcome; for Jesus says, John 16: 33: “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” But why be of good cheer? Because as he has overcome, it is possible for us to overcome also, even as John says, in his first epistle, chapter 4: 4; 5: 4: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” But those promises which especially send joy and courage to the heart of the believer, are the words of Jesus himself, spoken by his angel unto his servant John. Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 26; 3: 5, 12, 21; 21: 7: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” “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.” “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” “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.” “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.” “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 overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Oh! who would not enjoy such honors. Oh! to have my name confessed before God, and before the angels. Oh! to be clothed with white raiment, which is “the righteousness of Christ.” No wonder that all tears will be wiped away, unless it may be those of joy. Let us renew our vows unto God, and strive to press on. Why need we be discouraged? Press on. The prize is but a little way in the future. A few more fierce struggles, and all will be over. Then, oh! then to be crowned; to be fed with the manna, with the fruit of the tree of life; to be deprived no more of these glorious blessings. Oh! it is worth far more than all this world can give. The riches, the pleasures, the comforts, the joys of this life, which are not to be despised, sink in my estimation so far that it seems to me I can yield them all for the reward of the overcomer. H. F. PHELPS.