1. Read Revelation 2-Revelation 3. Notice how the overcomer’s “gift” relates to Jesus’ message to that particular church. What does that tell you about Jesus?
2. Would all overcomers get what is promised to each church? Why or why not?
3. In Revelation 2:7 we read that overcomers will be granted the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. .
a. Genesis 3:22-24 What are the implications of being able to eat from the fruit of the tree of life or the consequences from not eating from it?
b. Revelation 22:1-2; 14, 19 Where is the tree of life growing? What are its leaves for?
4. The overcomers of the church at Smyrna were promised that they would not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11).
a. Revelation 20:6 What would be the consequences of not being hurt by the second death?
b. Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8 Who participates in the second death and who doesn’t? What is the second death?
5. Try to determine the meaning of the hidden manna and white stone promised to overcomers in Revelation 2:17? At that time a white stone was frequently used for voting on the innocence or guilt of an individual–a white stone meaning innocence and a black stone meaning guilty. Also, it was the custom of the Roman Empire to present their people with white stones on which the individuals name was written. This stone served as an admissions ticket to a special feast. Consider the feast that is coming (Revelation 19: 7, 9) and the blessedness of those attending.
a. Exodus 16:13-35 Joshua 5:12 Psalm 78:24 What is manna? How long did the Lord give it to the Israelites?
b. Deuteronomy 8:3, 16 What were the Israelites to learn from having manna?
c. Numbers 11:4-9 Nehemiah 9:20, 26 Did everyone learn what they were supposed to from God giving them manna? Why not?
d. John 6:29-35, 47-58 How do you eat the bread that gives eternal life?
e. Hebrews 9:1-5 (Exodus 16:33) Where was manna kept? Want do you think it symbolized? (John 1:1, 14)
6. The church at Thyatira was told that those who kept His deeds until the end would have authority over the nations and rule them with an iron scepter (Revelation 2:26-27 quotes Psalm 2:8-9). Overcomers from the church at Laodicea are promised they will sit with Jesus on His throne as He sat with His Father on His throne (Revelation 3:21).
a. Revelation 12:5 Who will rule?
b. Revelation 19:15 How will Jesus rule the nations? What do you think an iron scepter symbolizes?
c. Matthew 25:31 When will the Son of Man sit on His throne?
d. Revelation 1:6; 5:10 What did Jesus make us to be? Why?
e. Notice the kind of reward mentioned in the parable of Luke 19:11-19.
f. Revelation 20:6 How long will those that escape the second death reign with Christ?
g. Matthew 19:28 Who will sit on twelve throne judging whom?
7. Overcomers from the church at Thyatira would also receive the morning star.
a. Daniel 12:1-3 Matthew 13:43 Who will shine like the brightness of the heavens?
b. Revelation 22:16 Who is the bright morning star?
c. 2 Peter 1:19 When will the morning star rise in our hearts?
8. In Revelation 3:5 overcomers are promised they will be dressed in white. There were a few in Sardis who had not soiled their clothes. They would walk with Jesus and be dressed in white. Who in each of the following verses is given a white robe?
a. Revelation 6:9-11
b. Revelation 7:9, 13-14
c. Matthew 22:2-14 Who prepared this wedding banquet for whom? What do you think the wedding clothes symbolize?
d. Revelation 16:15 What condition do you think a person is in that is naked and will be shamefully exposed? How can he avoid this?
e. Revelation 19:7-8, 14 At what occasion is the bride given what? What do righteous acts stand for? Who do you think the bride is? (Ephesians 5:22-32 Revelation 21:2, 9-10; 22:17)
9. Overcomers’ names will not be erased from the book of life. Study the book of life.
a. Exodus 32:32-33 Whose name is blotted out of the book?
b. Psalm 69:18-28 Several passages in this Psalm are quoted in the New Testament in reference to Christ. Whose names do the psalmist want blotted out of the book of life?
c. Matthew 10:32-33 (Luke 12:8-9) What would be the consequences of having your name erased?
d. Daniel 12:1 Whose names are found written in the book?
e. Philippians 4:3 Whose names are in the book of life in this instance?
f. Revelation 13:8; 17:8 What will those whose names are not written in the book of life do? When are names written in the book of life?
g. Revelation 20:12, 15 What happens to those whose names are not written in the book of life?
h. Revelation 21:27 What happens to those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life?
10. Biblical names show a person’s position or character (Revelation 2:17; 3:12). What can we learn about names overcomers will be given?
a. Ephesians 2:19-22 Our name will reflect what we are part of—which is?
b. 1 John 3:2 What will our character be like?
c. Revelation 14:1-4 What is the character of those who are given Jesus’ name and His Father’s name? What is the result of being sealed with His name (Revelation 7:3)?
d. Revelation 19:12 What do we know about His name? What don’t we know?
e. Revelation 21:1-7, 10, 22 (Revelation 3:20) What would be the consequences of not being given a name?
11. The church at Philadelphia is told to hold on to what they have so no one will take their crown (Revelation 3:11). The Greek used for “crown” was the usual term for the wreath placed on the head of a victorious athlete or military leader. It is a reward or token of public honor. What crowns can we receive? Are any conditional?
a. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Who gets a crown that will last forever?
b. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 Who is our crown?
c. 2 Timothy 2:5 What would keep an athlete from receiving a victor’s crown? What would keep us from receiving a victor’s crown?
d. 2 Timothy 4:8 Who will receive the crown of righteousness?
e. James 1:12 Who will receive the crown of life?
f. 1 Peter 5:2-4 What crown will never fade away? How do we receive it?
g. Revelation 2:10-11 Who will receive the crown of life?
h. Revelation 4:10-11 Who do the twenty-four elders lay their crowns before?
12.We who believe in Him will overcome just as Jesus overcame. Look up these Scriptures and notice who we overcome.
a. Matthew 16:18
b. Luke 10:18
c. John 16:33; 1 John 5:4
d. Revelation 17:14
13. Who are overcomers and how does one overcome? (1 John 5:4-5)