THE OVERCOMERS’S REWARDS Friday 16 September

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:12).

READ: Revelation 2:16-17

“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).

God rewards overcomers. You may be faithfully denying yourself’, saying ‘No’ to compromise, and overcoming sin, self, Satan and the world, without any special attention or mention. Don’t be discouraged! God sees and takes note of these and one day, you will be rewarded. In the above verse, we see three rewards for the ‘overcomers’. First, they will have access to eat the hidden manna. According to Psalm 78:24-25, manna is the food of angels, but God gave it to the Israelites during their wilderness sojourn. If you are an ‘overcomer’, you will eat angels’ food. But beyond this, there is a specially reserved heavenly delicacy which even angels have not taken. It is specially reserved for ‘overcomers’. It is called the hidden manna. On our wedding day with Jesus, we will eat this most outstanding meal. If you like food, then wait until you get to Heaven to taste of this hidden manna!

Another reward for ‘overcomers’ is a white stone. White is Heaven’s colour, hence revelation 7:9 says we shall be dressed in white robes and in fine, white linen (Rev. 19:8). This refers to Heaven’s designer outfit. To qualify for this white stone, your heart must be as pure as light. In addition, the ‘overcomers’ will receive a new name. On the white stone the Lord gives to each ‘overcomer’ will be a new name that nobody else will know except you say it out. Presently, in Heaven, you may not need to announce your name before you are addressed by it. This is because the inhabitants operate on a higher level of knowledge than we do on earth. Somebody may be seeing you for the first time but would address you by name. But nobody will know your new name until you say it out. The change of name is necessary as our earthly names will no longer be required in Heaven. I shall receive my white stone and new name in Heaven, no matter what it cost me. What about you?

KEY POINT:

Unlike our first naming ceremony on earth, Heaven’s renaming ceremony is a special experience. Don’t miss it!

 

Bible in One year: Num. 11-14.