THE OVERCOMER by J. H. Durland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 15, 1877

THE OVERCOMER.

By J. H. Durland

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

We sometimes feel that our temptations are more than we can bear, and are apt to give way to petty trials and let Satan gain a victory over us that we feel the effects of for many days. We are prone to sin, and our very natures are such, that we are constantly looking at the dark side of our experience in present truth.

We allow ourselves to become engrossed with thoughts pertaining to this world’s goods, and thus our interest in the truth of God abates. We picture starvation, beggary, and everything that Satan can bring before our minds; and thus we are letting God’s truth die out of our hearts, and are filling the vacuum with the lusts of Satan. Oh! that we would learn of Him who has said, “I have overcome the world.”

He who left his Father’s presence and the society of the holy angels, came to this sin-cursed world, and was tempted with the strongest of temptations, has left us cheering words to buoy us up when cast down with temptations. Hear ye Him: “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21. Is it not our duty to try, when we have such a rich reward promised us? Honor and exaltation could go no farther; and he does not ask us to do more than he has done.

Again, we find in verse 12 the following: “Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.” The temple here denotes the church; and the promise of being made a pillar therein is the strongest promise that could be given, of a place of honor, permanence, and safety, in the church, under the figure of a heavenly building. And when the time comes that this part of the promise is fulfilled, probation with the overcomer is past, he is fully established in the truth and sealed. “He shall go no more out;” that is, there is no more danger of his falling away; he is the Lord’s forever; his salvation is sure.

The overcomers are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise; Gal. 3:9; “but the fearful, unbelieving,” &c., have their part in “the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:7, 8.

Dear readers, to which class do you belong? Are you among the fearful? Do you fear what the world will say of you if you walk out on the promises of God? If so, may you change your course, and seek the Lord while he may be found. The Spirit calls you, there is yet room. The heavenly city with all its charms welcomes you to come. The way is easy if you seek it through Christ.

First. “Break off from [overcome] your sins by righteousness, and turn away from your transgressions by obedience to God.” Have you no hope in Christ? Speedily obtain one. “If we confess and forsake our sins, he is just and true to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Secondly. We must comply with the conditions on which the promise was made. Christ says, “Blessed are they that do his [the Father’s] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14. Then leave the trifles of this world. Why will you linger and die? Strive to be an overcomer; for he who gains access to the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God, shall die no more.

J. H. DURLAND.

Sigourney, Iowa.