EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:2-4, RSV).

Devotion 7 of 10

The Tree of Life and the Paradise of God!

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev,.2:7). This speaks of access to the Source of life--abundant and free access! Think of dwelling in "the midst of the paradise of God." That is close to the heart of God. In the inner circle! Those relishing fellowship with God will greatly delight to hear this. It is not an exaggeration or figment of the imagination. Let the promise constrain you!

A Crown of Life

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). A "crown of life" is an unfading one. It is a condition in which death has neither presence nor power. This is the realization of our deep longings and desires. It is being in the presence of the Lord without distraction, hindrance, or weakness. A "crown of life" is the crowning blessing. It is the fruition of hope and the culmination of faith. Let the promise constrain you!

Not Hurt by the Second Death

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). What a marvelous promise! There is a second death--an ultimate separation from God--but the overcomer will not see it! We will be there when people are consigned to perdition, but we will not "be hurt" by it. Hell itself will not terrorize the overcomer. Let the promise constrain you!

Hidden Manna and a New Name

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. 2:17). In this world, the people of God often go unnoticed and unappreciated. All too frequently, their individual identity is lost in their association with a group. But this will not be the case in glory. Your relationship with God will be intensely personal. The "name" you receive will be known only to you; i.e., no one else will have the awareness of your status as fully and as joyfully as you. Let the promise constrain you!

Power Over the Nations

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star" (Rev. 2:26-28). Do you dare to believe a promise like that? Believe it! The time is coming when the "saints will take the kingdom" (Dan. 7:18,22,27). One of the immediate fulfillments of this promise will be realized when the saints "judge the world" and "angels" (1 Cor. 6:1-2). The sharp disagreements that arise in this world between the people of God and unbelievers will not be settled "while the world standeth" (1 Cor. 8:31). However, the time is coming when Sodom will stand before Lot, the Sanhedrin before Stephen, and Nero before Peter and Paul. With meticulous and discerning judgement, the people of God will participate in God being "justified in all of His sayings" (Rom. 3:4). PRAYER POINT: Father, Your promises are challenging to both heart and mind. I know You cannot lie, and that your promises cannot fail. Give me faith to take hold of them, and live with a dominating persuasion of their reality.

-- TOMORROW: YOUR NAME WILL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT --