Overcomers And The
Bride Of Christ

There is but one purpose for life — to prepare for eternity. Life is measurably brief. Eternity is immeasurably endless. Ignorance alone compels us to trifle with our eternal destiny.

 

The smallest amount of time recorded on the Planck scale in Quantum Physics is 10 to the minus 43 seconds...THAT IS SMALL. The largest amount of time recorded in the Bible is Eternity...THAT IS LARGE. We fit somewhere in between with our fleeting 24/7/365 time frame.

Personally, I don’t want to get over on the other side of eternity and then find out what I SHOULD have known — what I COULD have done — on THIS side of eternity to lay up treasures in heaven. How about you?

In Christendom, when it comes to the concept of laying up treasures in heaven, the common misconception is that we all enter eternity on an equal basis. One size fits all, they say. Therefore, doing good works, or gaining crowns to cast at Jesus’ feet often gets passed over (Revelation 4:10).

It is ridiculous to assume that those who do the minimum and just squeeze by will receive the same rewards in eternity as the patriarchs (like Moses and Paul) who did great exploits. God forbid!

Furthermore, it is unkind to rob naive saints of potential rewards by not teaching them the clear Word of God. That is what discipleship is all about.

We are being robbed if we are not being discipled, and we are robbing the next generation if we are not discipling them.

We know about the Great Commission and the gifts of the Spirit, and all that. The question here is: How can we learn what other “treasures” we can “lay up,” if they are not being talked about enough in our churches? For example, I believe that we need to hear more about becoming overcomers.

OVERCOMERS: THE THREE VIEWS

The subject of “overcomers” is somewhat controversial because we are challenged with three basic schools of thought, or theories, or factions.

It’s the old story where each of the three factions makes the identical statement of faith and then draws diverse conclusions. But since we are stuck with three theories, rather than one clear-cut absolute, they should be open to discussion.

In the Revelation letters to the seven churches (chapters 2 and 3), Jesus made special promises to “he who overcomes.” Here is what the Nelson Study Bible’s commentary says about these “overcomers.”

“There are three main views about the nature of the overcomer in vv. 7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21:

 

“The first view states that the promise to the overcomer is experienced by all believers. In other words, all genuine believers are overcomers, and failure to overcome means that there was no true salvation in that person’s case.

“The second view holds that the promises are experienced only by those believers who are faithful and obedient, and failure to overcome means there has been a loss of salvation.

The third view contends that the promises are experienced only by believers who are faithful and obedient, and failure to overcome means a loss of rewards, not salvation (see 1 Corinthians 3:15).

None of these is without difficulties, but the correct interpretation would be the one that most consistently handles the details of all seven “overcomer” passages. This means the third view is most likely.

John is telling the Ephesian believers that they have spiritual obstacles to overcome. The problem in the church at Ephesus was a lack of fervent love for Christ. The church is commanded to ‘repent and do the first works’ (v. 5), which suggests a lapse in Christian living.

“The reward for those who obey is the promise that they will eat of the tree of life. Eating of the tree of life is a promise of special intimacy with the Lord, a promise of renewing the fellowship lost before the fall (see Revelation 22:14; Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24; Proverbs 11:30). The privileged access once denied Adam (see Genesis 3:24) will be enjoyed by the overcomer.”

[End of quote/Emphasis added]

Now, back to Christ’s message to the seven churches and the three main views.

CHRISTIANS AND OVERCOMERS

Since Jesus was speaking to churches, He therefore was speaking to the Christians in those churches, not to unbelievers. It is obvious that He differentiated between ordinary Christians and overcomer Christians. Otherwise there was no point in Jesus calling on the Christians in each of these churches to become overcomers.

   Here is my own synopsis of the shortcomings found in those churches.

(1) Various kinds of heretical teachings and teachers were tolerated.

(2) They left their first love.

(3) They were devoid of spiritual life and power.

(4) were lukewarm in their zeal.

To tell the truth, these four shortcomings can be found in some of our churches today.

Overcomers are not some special class. They are simply people from every generation who overcame the shortcomings found in these churches. They are promised wonderful privileges, special and exceptional rewards — treasures in Heaven — that are not promised to other Christians.

ONE OF THOSE DIFFICULTIES

As the Nelson Study Bible’s Commentary says: “None of these (three main views) is without difficulties.” Here is one of those difficulties:

Does Christ want you to believe ALL, accept ALL that God has said (in the Bible)? If you do not believe ALL or accept ALL that Christ offers, are you rejecting a part of Christ?

Here is the Scripture reading that compelled me to ask these hard questions:

7. He that overcometh shall inherit ALL things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

9. And there came unto me one of the seven angles…and talked with me, saying, come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. (Revelation 21 KJV)

Notice that no mention is made in these verses of those Christians spoken of in the seven churches who were not overcomers (Rev. 2-3). Only overcomers and the bride are mentioned here.

What would you do with Christians who are not counted among the overcomers? One alternative that is often used to identify these Christians can be found in the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1). Virgins are said to be a typology for Christians. Five had oil in their lamps, a typology for the Holy Spirit, and five did not. These five “Christians” were not invited to what appears to be the wedding of the bride of Christ.

This is a most uncomfortable subject, but it is one that must be resolved. Again, what would you do with this class of Christians who are not counted among the overcomers?

THE GOD CHASERS

John’s Revelation tells us what overcomers shall receive. But, what is characteristic of an overcomer, and what other terms can be used to describe them? Let’s look at some alternate terms used for “overcomers.”

Tommy Tenney, in his popular book, The God Chasers,¹ says:

A God chaser is an individual whose hunger exceeds his reach. A God chaser is a person whose passion for God’s presence presses him to chase the impossible in hopes that the uncatchable might catch him.

A child chases a loving parent until, suddenly, the strong arms of the father enfold the chaser. The pursuer becomes the captive, the pursued the captor. Paul put it this way: “I chased after that I may catch that which apprehended me.” [Tenney’s eloquent paraphrase of Philippians 3:12]

Tommy Tenney’s God Chasers is a unique and picturesque view of “overcomers.” By combining the essence of these two expressions, we get a larger and more exciting picture of what I think this brother described so beautifully. Maybe we could combine the two in this way:

Overcomers radically pursue the mountaintop presence of God, even as Moses did.

1.  Tommy Tenney, The God Chasers, Shippensburg, PA, Destiny Image, 1999, back cover.

 

CHASED BY GOD

If you are a Christian today, it is because Jesus first pursued you. God foreknew all He would provide before the foundation of the world, and then was released to us at the Cross. For us, ALL THINGS are available and possible; we just haven’t allowed God to release them in our lives . . . yet.

By faith we may pursue so that we may receive all God has given.

Paul is the most remarkable example in the New Testament of one who pursued Jesus Christ. But Paul (Saul) first pursued and killed Christians. It took a sovereign act of God to strike Paul blind on the Damascus road in order for him to gain spiritual eyes to see the Truth. Then he pursued Jesus with a perseverance and passion that was nothing short of heroic! Saul, the Christian killer, became Paul, the Christian martyr! 

When Paul was whipped, stoned, jailed, or shipwrecked, he could hardly wait to get well enough again to hit the dangerous streets and preach again. Safety and comfort meant nothing to him. Proclaiming Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was his life, his passion!

What love!

Moses is the most remarkable example in the Old Testament of one who pursued the face of God. But Moses didn’t have any such inclinations until after his burning bush experience. It took a sovereign act of God, in which He pursued Moses, for Moses to get all fired up in his quest to see Him. Then Moses had his mountaintop experiences.

Moses longed for more than visitation; his soul longed for habitation. He wanted more than just seeing God’s finger or hearing His voice speaking from a cloud or a burning bush. He had gone beyond fear to love, and God’s abiding presence had become his consuming desire. That is why he begged God in Exodus 33:18: “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory.”

This is the consuming desire of every overcomer!

Do you long for habitation?

A CAUTION FLAG

Before you start asking God for an extraordinary encounter like Paul and Moses experienced, remember; when much is given, much is required. In their case a colossal amount was given and a staggering amount was required. They (like Jesus) are our models because they were among the most exceptional examples of overcomers in the Bible. Be careful in what you ask for or expect in your quest to become an overcomer.

OVERCOMERS DEFINED

Since it is God’s desire to conform each of us to the image of Christ, it seems to me that alone should be THE Christian’s goal in life. Overcomers shoot for that goal . . . that purpose . . . that life. After all, life is short and eternity waits for no man!

Many Christians claim the redemption of the blood of Christ, but they go on living their lives for themselves, not as a true overcomer or bond-servant of the Lord. They may attend services every week, pay their tithes, and even be highly involved in their church or ministry, but they live for, and base most of their decisions on what they want or need, not on the purposes of the Lord. American Christians tend to believe the purpose of life is to be happy and have fun. This is hedonistic Christianity. There is a profound difference between the way overcomers or bondservants live and the majority of those who may profess to be bondservants.

There is no motivation to devote our lives to becoming overcomers until we understand that. . .

MOST Christians minister without the Holy Spirit MOST of the time; and...

MOST Christians are NOT overcomers.

Oh, they are saved for eternity in God’s Kingdom — and that is wonderful — but there is MORE to achieve in life besides salvation and eternal life.

We can serve God in all these ways:

 

·   Fasting and praying

·   Bible reading

·   Bible memorization

·   Flowing in the gifts and fruit of the Spirit

·   Offering up praise and worship

·   Preaching and winning souls

·   Establishing churches

More could be added to this list, but such commendable feats are not what really pleases God (2 Cor. 5:9)!

Overcomers seek His face to worship and serve and bless Him with all their being.

The politically correct seek His hand for His blessings. But the Bible urges us to seek Him who blesses, not His blessings. Seek Him who revives, not revival! Seek the Giver, not the gifts! Seek to know Him, not just about Him! Seek His face, not His hands!

Salvation is a free gift, but God’s glory will cost us everything. We are going to have to lie down and die, and the more we die to self, the closer Jesus will press in. And He wants us to press in and live in His perpetual habitation of glory. He wants us to be so saturated with His presence and glory (as Moses and Paul were) that we carry His presence with us everywhere we go in this life, living out there on the edge as a holy saint of God. This may be the only way the unspeakable glory of God will find its way to God’s house, the White House, and every house.

BRIDE OF CHRIST

All Christians are called to be kings and priests to rule with Christ, but because so many of us think like slaves, we get “rained on” instead of “reigning with” Christ.

Overcomers think like those in the royal priesthood, like a bride-to-be who is riotously in love with the King of Kings.

Think about this for a little bit: royalty marries royalty, and King Jesus is coming for His royal bride.

Some theologians make a good argument for believing that “the bride of Christ” is a synonymous term for “overcomers.” This subject can get complicated and controversial, The late Jim McKeever presents this view for us. Here is a brief reiteration of what his book on this subject says:

Some theologians tell us that Abraham was a type of God the Father, and Isaac was a type of Jesus, the Son of God, and Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, was a type of the Holy Spirit. If this is a valid typology, then it is logical to conclude that Rebecca was a type of the Bride of Christ, and her family was a type of the family of God. Isaac did not marry Abraham’s family — just Rebecca.

You will recall that Abraham said to Eliezer (in Gen. 24:4): “You shall go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Now, allow me to ask some obvious questions and then reiterate this passage using this typology. Who are God’s relatives in this passage? Is the Bride of Christ in the midst of God’s relatives? What country is God’s? What are the countries that are NOT God’s? The lost?

In this typology God might be saying to the Holy Spirit: “You shall go to the sons of God in the Kingdom of God, and take a wife from amongst them for my son Jesus.” In other words, the Bride of Christ is chosen from among Christians in the Kingdom of God. It is the Overcomers who have made themselves ready for their Bride Groom — King Jesus. Judge the accuracy of this teaching.

If McKeever and these other theologians are wrong, forgive them and let’s go on. Mckeever sure missed God in some other things. If they are right though, consider what you and I will need to do to become an overcomer. Just a thought!

Many of the truths of God — His original plan — are waiting to be organized in men today. In fact, Martin Luther said (in reference to Rev. 19:7), “We can expect God to restore truths to His church until we become a Bride acceptable to the Bridegroom.”

Brethren, as Oswald Chambers might have said, we are called to achieve to His utmost!

One of the best written books on this subject is: "The Secret of the Stairs, A Guide to Spiritual Growth from the Song of Solomon," by Wade E. Taylor.  Chapter one of his book starts off with this quote:

 

The message within the Song of Solomon develops around a Bridegroom Who actively seeks a Bride from among the Daughters of Jerusalem.  In order to understand the message of this book and then receive from it the value it has for us, we must prayerfully read ourselves into the progressive action that unfolds within its pages.

The Bridegroom is our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is still seeking after and preparing a Bride from those within the Church of our day who will respond to Him.  The Song of Solomon is invaluable to those who desire to have a part in the coming "marriage supper of the Lamb."

 

"And he saith unto me, Write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And he saith unto me, These are the true saying of God."              Revelation 19:9

EMBARRASSED BRIDE

When we read The Song of Solomon and are told that this is a picture of Jesus and His bride, we may be turned off, offended, and embarrassed. Yet, this book is as inspired as any other book in the Bible. This might be a good time to ask again, do you believe the Bible?

If you have forgotten just how steamy the Song of Solomon is, stop for a minute and read a few verses from chapter seven.

Let’s face it, we get uncomfortable when we hear the term “the bride of Christ” because to us it has sexual overtones. For men, this whole bride thing seems very unmasculine.

Have we forgotten? There will be no marriage or sex on the other side of eternity.

God uses concepts that we understand to symbolize the Spiritual application.

Although we know this, we still have a hard time getting past our fleshly perspective and seeing the spiritual.

To us the reality and the thrill of spending eternity in the presence of Jesus is as impossible to comprehend as asking Albert Einstein to explain his theory of relativity to us one more time — in German. That is why this overcomer concept can seem to be over our heads. We should not be surprised that it takes spiritual eyes and ears to grasp the concept.

If you have ever had a genuine spiritual experience, you know that it can be wonderfully fulfilling. Such an encounter with the Holy Spirit can be more fulfilling and memorable than any human experience. Emotions and cherished memories go hand in glove with a meaningful relationship.

To say that we are to base our relationship with Jesus on the Bible alone and not on an experience is theologically correct. However, that is like a wife asking her husband if he still loves her, and he sternly orders her to read those old love letters he wrote when courting her. READ THE LETTERS! READ THE BOOK!

But, won’t you tell me one more time that you love me?

The truth is; most of those who say that have never had a spiritual experience actually would never allow themselves to have one. The motive behind their stern stand may be to discourage some of us from seeking a real relationship with Jesus.

So, how do we get a spiritual, Biblical view of the Bride? First we need to understand that there is nothing sexual about the Christian experience. But gender traits are observed in the attributes of God. For instance, Jesus exemplified the feminine qualities of gentleness and — at the same time — the masculine qualities of a powerful, commanding presence.

We cannot comprehend the ONENESS of the Trinity (even from the symbolism of marriage), but even so, we are called to come by faith into that same ONENESS with Jesus.

If these sexual overtones make you uncomfortable, do spiritual experiences that are rapturous also embarrass you? Do the experiences that Paul and Moses had with the Lord sound unreal and unobtainable today? Does the picture of David dancing ecstatically before the Ark of the Covenant fill you with contempt as it did his wife? Is that what the Bible tells you, or is it the limitations your flesh and traditions impose upon you?

I hope you are as uncomfortable and embarrassed as I am right now in making this comparison between sex and a spiritual experience, but it is worth the distress — IF you are understanding the point of all this. However, I’m not through yet…

RED HOT FOR CHRIST

The Spirit of Christ wants to do more than just passively indwell you; He wants to actively be ONE with you. God created us for the sole purpose of loving us with His perfect love, and to encourage us to return that love! Call this a relationship, fellowship, or a spiritual experience, but . . .

If your relationship with Jesus is not intimate, intensive, and passionate, you are lukewarm.

In the letters to one of the seven churches, Jesus told us to either be hot or cold towards Him, because when we are lukewarm it makes Him vomit. Certainly the overcomer, the bride of Christ is RED-HOT.

How hot are you?

How cold are you?

I wonder what percentage of Christians fall into each of those three categories? Hot, lukewarm, or cold?

One thing is crystal clear; you cannot be a lukewarm or cold Christian and be counted among the overcomers.

ALL HAS BEEN GIVEN

Jesus loves those who date Him every Sunday morning, but He really gets excited over those who pursue Him — day in and day out. Jesus will chase . . . pursue . . . woo you until you stop running from Him. When you stop, turn, and embrace Him, you are allowing a courtship that can culminate in everlasting marriage. Courtship, as you and I understand it, is not a two-hours-on-Sunday-morning religious obligation; it is a lifestyle, a foreshadowing of married bliss.

Just as holy matrimony between a man and a woman is a union that makes the two ONE-in-the-flesh, so does betrothal to Jesus make us ONE-in-the-Spirit.

If we are born again Christians, the union is already there. Jesus is IN you, pursuing your inner man. And even as the lover of your soul is IN you, you are IN Him! But this union must transcend from passive mental agreement to active spiritual involvement in order to actually accomplish God’s purpose for the union. This is faith in action.

Lovers find it a real joy to give and to receive gifts from each other. Will you receive ALL the gifts the Bridegroom has given to His prospective bride? Will you give your all to Him? We must transcend from betrothal (the engagement) to marriage.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

When we are invited to a banquet my wife always has to show me what all those fancy utensils are called, and what I am supposed to do with them. I even have to be shown HOW to use them. And I always have to be reminded to place that beautiful linen napkin on my lap. My lack of couth and culture really embarrasses her. Will we be like that at the wedding feast?

“Lord, what is this cute little unity thingy here by my goblet? Lord, what am I supposed to do with this peculiar gift of healing anyhow? Lord, why is some of the deacon board at my church not seated at the table today (Matt. 25:1-13)?”

I doubt that such questions will be heard, because the Bride’s spiritual etiquette will be impeccable.

Over and over, we keep pointing out the fact that ALL IS GIVEN, ALL IS PROVIDED. The hard question is, are we flowing in . . . are we using all of God’s provisioning all of the time?

 

 

If this is a subject that 
deeply interests you...order

A SIGNED COPY
OF THIS BOOK

HOW TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONS

Your tax deductible contributions make it possible for Ken Uptegrove to speak at distant churches and to publish his latest books and articles.

Click  button

We would love to hear from you!  Please click on the email button to share your thoughts with us... 

 

 

Do You Want
  To Help In This Ministry?

Click on button to send us an e-mail to tell us how you wish to give  in some way.