We are in the consummation of the ages, the age of Revelation. In Revelation we can see the Lord walking in the midst of the seven lampstands with seven stars in His right hand (Rev. 2:1). Chapter 1, verse 20 explains what that means saying, “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw upon My right hand and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” These verses reveal the importance of the messengers at the consummation of the ages. The messengers are shining stars. A messenger is one whom the master can trust with a message to give to others. A messenger is faithful to the Lord’s commission, receiving the Lord’s word, applying it to himself, and speaking it to others.
Today God needs messengers! Can God trust a message to you? Can God give you a commission? If He cannot, you must say, “Lord, make me grow, make me a messenger, make me a star. I want to shine! I want to be someone in whom the Lord can trust. I want to be someone to whom the Lord can give a commission.”
The letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 were written to the messengers of the seven churches so that they would give the message to the churches. God wants messengers today! I hope that each of us becomes a messenger! Each one here can become a star. This must be our goal! Tell the Lord, “Lord, make me a messenger! I don’t want to be an ordinary Christian! I want to be a messenger!” But the Lord wants someone in whom He can trust, someone to whom He can give a commission. Can you deliver the Lord’s message adequately?
Maybe you think it is too hard to be the Lord’s messenger. You might think that it might be OK at a wonderful conference but back home it is too hard. What happens when we go back home? Do we lose our spirit? Do we not have the word? Is the revealed word all gone? Are there no more spiritual books? Are there are no other saints? Are we afraid of the day after the conference? You may be thinking, “I have so many problems! The conference is full of strong brothers and sisters but when I go back to my locality, there are only a few saints and they are very weak!”
This is where the Lord needs messengers! The Lord is writing to you to bring a message home. Of course, this does not mean that when you go back home, you call the responsible brothers and tell them that you are giving them a message. But you can be the first one to transform word and tongue into fact and truth!
What is an overcomer? An overcomer is one who overcomes! Overcomes what? An overcomer is one who overcomes these problems you are thinking right now! Do you know why these problems exist? They exist for you to overcome them. They are giving you an opportunity to become an overcomer! If you don’t have anything to overcome, you are never going to be an overcomer. This is very simple saints! Let us not think that to be an overcomer is something great and extraordinary. No! An overcomer is someone who overcomes all these problems that you are thinking right now. Let us grow into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ (Eph. 4:15). Take every opportunity to grow. Face every difficulty to grow! An overcomer is someone who overcomes! Overcomes what? If you ask an overcomer what did he do to be an overcomer, he will cite many problems that he overcame! He overcame in his human living. Of course, we especially need to overcome our own souls so that our souls prosper.
The Lord Jesus walks in the midst of the lampstands and He speaks to the churches. He knows the situation of each church and He knows the problem of each church. He knows the condition of the saints in the churches; He knows everything. That’s why in each of the letters He wrote, “I know your works...” The Lord spoke to the churches because He wants to produce overcomers.
Who are the ones who are going to be overcomers? The ones who respond to the Lord’s speaking, not the ones who listen and say, “That letter was very good, excellent. I enjoyed it a lot ” So what? The letter is very good, so what? Where is the response? Whoever responds becomes an overcomer! “Lord, did you speak with me? Here I am!” In all these letters, there is not even one word speaking about fleeing. There is only one word: “Overcome!” The letter that the Lord is writing to us regarding the situation of the church in our localities is not about running away. The Lord wants us to overcome! Our way today is to overcome! We have the Spirit; we have the word; we have the saints; we have so many riches. Are we going to run away? We should know only one thing: When the problems come, we only have one answer! “OVERCOME!”
Second Peter 1:3-11 says, “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things which relate to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and virtue, Through which He has granted to us precious and exceedingly great promises that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world by lust. And for this very reason also, adding all diligence, supply bountifully in your faith virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, endurance; and in endurance, godliness; And in godliness, brotherly love; and in brotherly love, love. For these things, existing in you and abounding, constitute you neither idle nor unfruitful unto the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he in whom these things are not present is blind, being shortsighted, having forgotten the cleansing of his past sins. Therefore, brothers, be the more diligent to make your calling and selection firm, for doing these things you shall by no means ever stumble. For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly and bountifully supplied to you.” Amen!
Saints, we only have one answer that is to OVERCOME!
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