The English Standard Version is my preferred Bible translation but the ESV follows the RSV in Revelation 2-3 by using the term “conquer” or “conquerors” in passages such as Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21. In this case, I prefer the New American Standard which uses the word “overcomes” in the same passages (as do other translations such as the NIV and the NKJV). The Greek word found in these passages is the Greek word nikao which is where we get our word Nike from. Nike was the Roman goddess of military victory and was worshiped by the Romans. The word signified a military term, and John used this term under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to show that the Christian life is one of pain, struggle, and a fight. It is not the passivity that we find taught in many Western churches today that embraces a Christianity that is without a cross, without discipleship, without obedience to Jesus as Lord (Luke 9:23-25; 14:25-35; John 14:27; 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). The word nikao has a view in mind that we are soldiers of the cross (2 Timothy 2:3).
What strikes me about the usage of nikao in Revelation 2-3 is that it is always found in the present tense form. The word is found 28 times in the New Testament with 17 references coming from the book of Revelation alone and 9 of those 17 are found in chapters 2-3 of Revelation. John’s usage of nikao could be translated then “the one overcoming” since the disciple has not yet finished the fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
Vic Reasoner points out in his commentary on the book of Revelation that in the Gospel of John and in the book of Revelation, John uses terms such as believing, faith, and overcomers in a present active sense. In other words, “the one trusting, the one coming, the one eating and drinking, and the one following” and never in a passive sense or past tense. This makes a strong case for the promises of Jesus being conditional rather than unconditional (see John 1:12; 3:15-16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:35, 37, 40, 47, 54, 56-58; 7:38; 8:12; 11:25-26; 12:44, 46; 17:20; 20:31; Acts 10:43; 13:39; Romans 1:16; 3:22; 4:5, 11, 24; 9:33; 10:4, 11; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2:10, 13; 1 Peter 1:8; 2:6-7; 1 John 5:1, 5, 10, 13). Reasoner goes on to point out that only in 1 John 5:5 do we find the words faith and overcomer together in the same passage and both are used in the present active tense in 1 John 5:5.
Calvinists and those who hold to eternal security or perseverance of the saints will often point out that 1 John 5:4-5 teaches that all true believers are also overcomers. While I agree with them on this point, I think that it avoids the issue of apostasy as a real possibility and destroys the power of the texts in Revelation 2-3 that so powerfully teach that one must continue in the faith. It’s not enough to merely cling to a pet doctrine to embrace our sinfulness or to pacify our conscience that we are sinners who need Jesus as our Savior and that He calls us to a battle that must continue throughout our lives (1 Corinthians 9:24-10:21).
I. Howard Marshall points out in his book Kept by the Power of God that the same promises given to the overcomers in Revelation 2-3 are used of all Christians: Revelation 2:7 with 22:2; 2:11 with 20:6, 14; 2:17 with 22:4; 2:26 with 22:5; 3:5 with 22:14; 3:12 with 22:3; 3:21 with 22:5. Marshall writes, “The true Christian is the victorious Christian and he is promised salvation in the world to come…The believer is required to show faithfulness unto death…Being faithful entails keeping the commandments of God.” Marshall goes on to point out that those who fail to abide in Christ and serve Him faithfully will be blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5). What could that mean other than a loss of eternal life since eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23) and is kept by continued faith in Jesus (1 Peter 1:5)?
The point of Revelation 2-3 is clear: we either overcome or we are overcome. Those who do overcome will inherit the kingdom but those who fail to overcome will inherit only eternal destruction (Revelation 21:7-8). Following Jesus is not just some prayer that we prayed at Kid’s Camp when we were 8, nor is it merely believing in God (James 2:19), but following Jesus means faithfully following Him and trusting that He alone is our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10), that He is our life (Colossians 3:1-4). Following Jesus is not passive but as the Greek word nikao implies, it is active obedience to the Son of God (Luke 6:46).
[Link to original post and comments on Roy Ingle’s website.]
