December 7

The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. — Rev 21:7 BSB

“He shall inherit all things.” When? In eternity? Yes, but not only in eternity. There is an inheritance both in time and in eternity—one in the present and another in the future; one the firstfruits, the other the full harvest; one a pledge, the other the full payment. There is an inheritance here on earth and one in heaven, and those who never receive any portion of their inheritance here will not receive an inheritance above. Now, as we overcome, we are granted access to this inheritance. What is it that we inherit? Riches, glory, honor, power, or praise? No, these are worldly things, and let the world enjoy them. When we inherit “all things,” it means inheriting the things of God—His favor, love, mercy, and glory; everything that God, through His covenant, gives when He gives Himself. This includes peace here and glory later, pardon now and salvation later, the beginning of rest on earth and the fullness of rest in heaven.

When we are overcome by sin, there is no entering into this inheritance. Does sin overcome us? Do we inherit pardon by being defeated? No, we inherit shame, guilt, fear, and a sense of wrath. But when we overcome sin by the fear of God in our soul, like Joseph did, or when we look to the Lord of life and glory to sprinkle His blood on our conscience, or when we follow the leadings of the Spirit in our hearts, then we enter into our inheritance. The connection is clear and experiential: overcoming here on earth leads to inheriting here on earth.

However, to enter into this inheritance, we must constantly be reminded that we have no strength of our own. Our slips, falls, backslidings, and weaknesses—though we dare not justify them—are mercifully overruled as part of the “all things” that work together for our good. These teach us our weakness and lead us to Christ’s strength. By relying on Christ’s strength, we inherit “all things,” for in inheriting Him, we inherit everything He is to God’s people.