2:11Revelation 2:11

Christ calls everyone who can hear to receive what the Spirit says to the churches, to become wise in that revealed truth and to act on it and share it.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9+2 To the one who overcomes He promises freedom from harm in the second death, and faithfulness is the way to escape it.Ms 149, 1904, par. 4+2 The second death brings terrible suffering and is the fate of those enslaved to sin who reject words of truth and despise God's law.5T 620.2+2 Overcoming requires determined personal choice in probationary time to confess sin, leave the forbidden path and form a character fit for the book of life, and it is possible for every soul in his own behalf because Jesus fought Satan and overcame for humanity.Lt 113, 1893, par. 1–10+1 That victory is kept by remaining faithful through suffering even unto death, learning meekness and lowliness from Christ, closely reproving sin and enduring the cleansing of self, and by seeking the Lord with the whole heart in watchfulness and prayer.Ms 149, 1904, par. 4+4

The promise belongs to Christ's message to the church in Smyrna within His messages to the churches in Revelation 1-3, to be heeded as the message given to John.STB 404.5–405.1+2 It was given to John on the Isle of Patmos, where heavenly things about what would take place in the last days were revealed as Christ's last testimony.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9+1 It came under the command to write the things seen and the things that are and the things that are to come hereafter, one message after another to the churches.16MR 203.4–204.1

The names of the churches are symbolic of the Christian church in different periods of the Christian Era, from Christ's first advent to His second appearing.LS 122.1–123.1+1 The number seven indicates completeness, so the messages portray the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today, extend to the end of time, and are in force today.Ms 81, 1900, par. 54–56 The sixth state represents those who unitedly proclaimed the coming of Jesus in autumn 1844 and then faced great trial, when light from the heavenly sanctuary helped them understand their position and their duty to keep God's commandments.LS 122.1–123.1

In these messages Christ weighs the characters of those who take His name, with every individual under His supervision.Ms 81, 1900, par. 54–56 He knows works, thoughts and intents of the heart, every word and act, all about religious experience, and whom each loves and serves, calling for close self-examination.Ms 81, 1900, par. 54–56 The figures used are symbolic of the state of God's professed people, with wheat developing among tares and truth standing on its own eternal basis in contrast with error.Ms 81, 1900, par. 54–56

The call to hear what the Spirit says to the churches is repeated sevenfold, showing the special importance Christ places on the value of studying the last book of the Bible.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9 That book is not too mystical to be understood but can be understood and taught to students, and its prophecies are to be read, heard, and kept.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9+1 Hearing means receiving the revealed message, becoming wise in sacred truth, taking up its work, and sharing its invitation with others, though some who can hear refuse to receive it or act on it.21MR 452.2–4

The same call is echoed at the close of the message to Thyatira, which tells the faithful to hold fast, overcome, and keep Christ's works to the end.STB 404.5–405.1+1 It prepares the churches for the trying times before them.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9 It means all churches need reformation by present truth, not by suppositions and vagaries and spiritualistic ideas that have no scriptural foundation.Ms 154, 1903, par. 6–9

He that overcomes shall not be harmed by the second death nor suffer it, and overcoming with faithfulness is the way to escape it.Ms 149, 1904, par. 4+4 The second death brings terrible pains.5T 620.2+1 It is the fate of people enslaved to sin who reject words of truth and despise God's law, including those who slumber on in their imperfections until that time.5T 620.2+3 This fate is avoidable because Christ brings salvation within reach, though many refuse to come to Him for life.GC 22.1–2 The promise of escape gives weight to the value of immortality and to the importance of converting a soul from error to truth.5T 620.2+1

For the overcomer will live in the presence of Him who died to elevate and ennoble man and will receive honor and glory and a royal diadem.5T 620.2+1 The Spirit's promise belongs to those who remain faithful through suffering even unto death.Ms 149, 1904, par. 4+1 It belongs to those who resist Satan's deceptive claims and attempts to turn them from the truth.Ms 149, 1904, par. 4

Overcoming that escapes harm from the second death is not given to one overcome by perverted appetite, but requires determined personal choice during probationary time to confess sin, leave the forbidden path, and form a character fit for the book of life, and such overcoming is necessary for spiritual growth.Lt 113, 1893, par. 1–10+1 It is possible for every soul on his own account and in his own behalf because Jesus came to this world, fought the battles with Satan on behalf of humanity, and overcame the foe.Lt 113, 1893, par. 1–10+1 Therefore every person can overcome in the name and strength of Jesus, winning a crown of life through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony.Lt 113, 1893, par. 1–10+1

To overcome and escape the second death requires learning meekness and lowliness of heart from Christ, wearing His yoke, and thinking little of self, since God sees the intents and purposes of the soul.Lt 35, 1885, par. 11–14 It requires closely investigating and reproving sin instead of turning away from it or being angry when spoken against, and enduring the unpleasant bruising of self and close, critical work of soul cleansing.Lt 35, 1885, par. 11–14 Human praise and much good work will not recommend anyone to God's favor, for God's judgment is totally different from human judgment.Lt 35, 1885, par. 11–14 Cherishing cruel pride and self-congratulation like the Pharisee spreading his virtues before God must be put away, while those who slumber on in their imperfections until that time will be hurt of it.Lt 35, 1885, par. 11–14

Overcoming includes overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong and conforming to right habits of eating and drinking, yet it is not easy because self is masterful and strives for victory.4MR 383.3 God presents the right way but compels no one to obey, leaving those given light free to receive or despise it, while their course of action is followed by sure results because cause must produce effect.4MR 383.3 Parents are to set simple wholesome food before children and avoid everything stimulating, since a meat diet makes nervous children peevish, irritable, passionate and impatient of restraint.4MR 383.3 When this counsel is neglected virtuous practices are lost and corruption destroys mind, soul and body.4MR 383.3

Heeding the message means seeking the Lord with the whole heart, loving God supremely and neighbor as self, and humbling the heart before God so He sees it is safe to work with and for His people and the truth prospers in their hands and goes forth as a lamp that burneth.Lt 173, 1896, par. 13 It means giving due respect to those who have borne the burden in the heat of the day, and holding fast and keeping Christ's works to the end.STB 404.5–405.1+1 It means advancing day by day to receive the saving grace of God through watchfulness and prayer in faith by the gift of the Holy Spirit.Lt 386, 1904, par. 1 The verse is an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven at His coming with power and great glory, rebuking indifference to the signs foretold by Christ that prove the end of the world is right upon them.Lt 386, 1904, par. 1 Its promise of escape from the second death through overcoming and faithfulness is held before children as an encouragement to live faithfully and obey God's requirements.Ms 27, 1911, par. 9–11