The Conqueror's Inheritance (J. C. Philpot)

Revelation 21:7

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” 

There is a twofold inheritance, though one and the same—one in time, another in eternity; one the first-fruits, the other the harvest; one the pledge, the other the full sum. There is an inheriting here below, and an inheriting above; and he who never receives any portion of his inheritance below will never receive an inheritance above. Now, just in proportion as we overcome are we put in possession of this inheritance. What are we to inherit? Riches, glory, honor, power, praise? These are worldly things—let the world enjoy them. In inheriting "all things," we are to inherit the things of God—the favor of God, the love of God, the mercy of God, the glory of God; all that a covenant God gives in giving Himself; peace here, glory hereafter; pardon below, salvation above; the beginning of rest on earth, the fullness of rest in heaven.

Now, while we are overcome, there is no being put into possession of this eternal inheritance. Does sin overcome us? Do we inherit pardon in being overcome? No! we inherit shame and confusion, guilt, fear, and wrath. When we cultivate our own temper, our own spirit, our own pride, our own worldliness, our own profit, do we inherit the image of Christ, the meekness of Jesus, the favor of God, the dew of the Spirit, the compassion of Jehovah? No! we feed upon ashes; the clusters are the clusters of Sodom, and grapes of gall. Let us have our pride gratified; does it put us into possession of a heavenly inheritance? Sorrow, shame, confusion follow. Are we overcome by our lusts? Do we gratify them? Do we fill our carnal heart with the enjoyment of them? What do we inherit? Love, pardon, peace, salvation, bliss? No! distress, shame, remorse, confusion, trouble, fear, doubt, despondency, the wrath of God in the conscience. Do we seek the exaltation of self in its various forms, that dear self may be honored, admired, gratified, fed? Do we then inherit all things? the favor of God, the testimony of mercy, the consolations of the Spirit, the dew of heaven? No! we inherit nothing but the inheritance of fools, which is shame and folly.

But do we overcome in God's strength, in God's name, in God's righteousness? We begin, the moment that we overcome, to be put into possession of the inheritance. What is the inheritance? Is it not peace and pardon, the image of Christ, the "rivers of pleasure, which are at His right hand for evermore"? Is not this inheritance the goodly land flowing with brooks of honey, milk, and wine? Do we not, just in proportion as we overcome, drink into a portion of the inheritance?

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1 John 5:5

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”