Choice 2: Revelation 2–3. “To Him That Overcometh”

Choice 2: Revelation 2–3. “To Him That Overcometh”

1. The Lord’s counsel to each of the seven branches of the Church in Asia follows a pattern:
•  

              §  He told the members of the branch what they were doing that pleased Him.

              §  He told them in what ways they needed to repent.

              §  He told them of the blessings that would come if they were faithful.

• Fill in the chart below with information you find in Revelation 2–3:

City	What They Did That Pleased the Lord	How They Needed to Repent	Promised Blessings
Ephesus (2:1-7)	Patience, and them staying away from that which are evil.	Repent quickly	They will be partakers of the blessing from the tree of life.
Smyrna (2:8-11)	Long-suffering, standing for what is true.	Hear the Spirit’s promptings	They will be given a crown of life
​Pergamos (2:12-17)	Held fast on God’s name, did not deny their faith.	Repent from idol worship, and fornication	They will be given manna to eat, a stone with their new name written on it.
Thyatira (2:18-29)	Works of charity, service, faith, patience.	Listening to a false prophet, commit fornication and adultery	Give the the morning star
Sardis (3:1-6)	People who stayed faithful, and did not defiled their garments	Repent quickly for they know not when the lord’s coming is nigh	They shall walk with God in white, or live with him forever.
Philadelphia (3:7-13)	Kept his word and denied him not.	Those who lie will be worshiping at the feet of the righteous.	God will be with the faithful in times of temptation
Laodicea (3:14-22)	Faithful and true witnesses since the beginning of the world.	they should not be lukewarm in their faith and works.	The door will be opened they shall sit with him in his father’s throne.

2. Write a paragraph about what counsel given to the seven branches of the Church in Asia applies to you today. Which of the promises the Lord gave to the seven Churches most inspires you to seek eternal life? 

I like what the Lord promised with the people of Pergamos, Philadelphia, and Lodicea.  It is because I want to live forever with God, forever being nourished by his life-giving light, free from all the cares of the world. Sometimes life gets too tiring for me, but as I look for things to look forward to, life seem to be a little easier to bear.  I love the sweet promise that as long as I am faithful and do the things that I am supposed to do, I will be protected from the many temptation of this world. As I keep doing so, again, I have the promise that I will live with god again someday.

3. How does Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, 63:20 give meaning to the phrase "to him that overcometh?"

As I endure to the end and keep his commandments, I have a sweet assurance that I will live with my creator again forever.  D&C 14:7 summarizes it all in my opinion. It would be a hard journey, but I’ve made it this far. Might as well continue on the journey until the Lord says the work is done.