The Stupor of Unbelief

[Guest]

Seven times that haunting phrase is repeated in the awe-inspiring Book of Revelation: "He that overcometh ... " The idea is one of combat, hand-to-hand wrestling like Jacob's struggle with the Angel (Gen. 32:24, 25), like swimming upstream against a strong current, climbing a mountain, defeating a tenacious foe.

Does that idea of "overcoming" frighten you? You don't have the stick-to-it-iveness, perseverance, basic "strength," to win the battle? Like weary refugees on foot who can't summon the energy to take another step, who drop down and die, the temptation to give up the struggle to "overcome" causes some to drop out of the Christian "race." They give in to their long-established habits of alcoholism, or drug use, or pornography, or ... whatever. Apathy is the last of the vices that we are invited to "overcome" in the famous "seven" struggles of Revelation: "Because thou art lukewarm, ... I counsel thee, ... Be zealous, ... repent. ... To him that overcometh ... " (3:14-21).

Lukewarm apathy is spiritual weariness, loss of hope, boredom. It is the fundamental characteristic of Christ's true church in the last segment of time. The will seems paralyzed; it's the almost irresistible drowsiness that induces sleep at the very Gethsemane-time when the Master says, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation" (Matt. 26:41). Have you ever fought to stay awake when every cell of your being cries out for sleep? We have come to that time in world history, right now! Spiritual sleep was "Christian's" problem when he was trying to traverse "the enchanted land." He saw "pilgrims" snoring away by the side of the path that leads to eternal life, overcome by a stupor like nerve gas; it took every ounce of his spiritual energy to stay awake until he got out of the devil's enchantment. But he did get out, and you and I can "overcome."

A wise writer said, "Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory" (Ministry of Healing, p. 487). Here is the "how" of overcoming: look again at that last of the seven promises to the "overcomer." "To him that overcometh ... EVEN AS I OVERCAME," says Jesus. Immerse yourself in the story of Jesus' overcoming, His battle, His victory. Ponder His struggle in the wilderness of temptation (Matt. 4:1-11), His Gethsemane blood-sweating ordeal (Matt. 26:39), the unspeakable battle with self as He hung on His cross (Psalm 22). Let His experience be your icon to look at, rather than the endless photos of politicians and entertainers on TV.

Yes, the battle is intense, but the means of victory is simple--"look." You can overcome the stupor of unbelief.

by Robert J. Wieland.

[Dr. Rich]

One must overcome sin for salvation. The warning to overcome is to 6 of the 7 messages to the KOH in Revelation 2 and 3. They were also told to repent--repent because of what they wrongly believed? I think so. Is truth important? I also think so! We have been told by Jesus that it is the truth that will set us free from sin. Perhaps that is what is meant by overcoming--learning and practicing the truth--the truth that only a few (Rev. 3:4) will first understand. Even though we have been lied to by just about everyone, the truth will be provided to us by the ONE bond servant as found in Matthew 24:45. Of course this 'new food' will only be eaten by those who are hungry for new truth!

[Tom Wetmore]

And the writer of Revelation also wrote, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." - 1 John 5:4,5.

And all the liars, proclaiming false salvation - "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” - Rev 17:14

And Jesus the author of Revelation and our salvation said, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

[Twilight]

One must overcome sin for salvation. The warning to overcome is to 6 of the 7 messages to the KOH in Revelation 2 and 3. They were also told to repent--repent because of what they wrongly believed? I think so. Is truth important? I also think so! We have been told by Jesus that it is the truth that will set us free from sin. Perhaps that is what is meant by overcoming--learning and practicing the truth--the truth that only a few (Rev. 3:4) will first understand. Even though we have been lied to by just about everyone, the truth will be provided to us by the ONE bond servant as found in Matthew 24:45. Of course this 'new food' will only be eaten by those who are hungry for new truth!

Maybe one should recieve the victory over sin that is already given...?

[Guest]

Amen Brother. The WORD has already provided that. We don't need to wait on some new thing before we can overcome.

[Dr. Rich]

"But the cowards and unbelieving and abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and ALL LIARS, their part will be in the lake that burns..." (Rev. 21:8)

"Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters and EVERYONE WHO LOVES AND PRACTICES LYING." (Rev. 22:15)

"And NO LIE was found in their mouth; they are blameless." (Rev. 14:5)

Is the real truth important? I think so. So how many people who call themselves a Christian have the real truth?

[Guest]

I don't know, do you call yourself a real christian? lol just kidding.

Seriously, those are very fine texts, but they don't say, or even imply, that we don't already have enough within the Word of God for salvation.

[Gerr]

So I won't derail this thread, I will start another one with the title, "Conditions for Salvation."

[Guest]

This thread is not narrow or restrictive. You can say anything here.

[Dr. Rich]

The answer is simple: OBEY GOD! (Rev. 12:17)

[Guest]

I agree with that.