This Bible study shows that big promises are made to those who qualify to be called Overcomers. Eternal life is certainly among them. But the promises tell more about the quality of life that Overcomers will share beginning now and in the next age.

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In the previous parts of this Bible study series, I tried to set the stage for the world system that will dominate the earth after the current age (the Seventh) ends and the Age of Right Rule (the Eighth) becomes established. It is during the Eighth age that rewards will be given to all who overcame during the first seven ages of Enoch’s vision.

Being an overcomer or conqueror has little to do with what one does in a religion. Being a deacon or elder in a church, or even a pastor, is not synonymous with being an overcomer. The deeper one gets into a religion, the more overcome a person becomes. The influence of politics, club memberships, education, media, friends, family, among other things do not dominate the day to day life of the overcomer.

Overcoming means transcending all forces of this world that can take control of our thoughts and motivations. As I wrote in the part 2, among the greatest threat is being overcome by world-sponsored deception.

In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation is a description of problems faced, not by “churches,” but by groups of people. These people are described as living in different cities that have unique environments. Each environment is a threat to individual spiritual life that could keep those who are part of each group from being part of the “better resurrection” at the start of next age. Each person in each group has been “tapped” or “called out” to be aware of the problems facing the group and is encouraged to conquer or overcome that which can conquer them.

Let’s examine in this Bible study both the problems of each group and the promises made to those who successfully overcome them.

I am the First and the Last and the living One. And I become dead, and see, I am living forever and ever. And I possess the keys of the grave and of death.

The Secret of the seven stars, which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven assemblies [groups], and the seven lampstands, which you saw, are the seven assemblies. Rev. 1:20 (The Scriptures)

The called-out people at “Ephesus”

A message is given to the Messenger of the group.

Are they (the messengers) not all serving spirits sent out to attend those who are about to inherit deliverance? Hebrews 1:14

First, the speaker identifies himself. This also tells something that this group needs to know.

He who is holding the seven stars in His right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, says this:

(To His disciples and called-out ones He promised to be with them always, even to the end of the age. That includes our age!)

I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you are not able to bear evil ones, and have tried those who say they are emissaries and are not, and have found them false [a reference to Paul and his followers], and you have been bearing up and have endurance, and have labored for My Name’s sake and have not become weary.

They have good works and have resisted those who tried to lead them astray. However,

But I hold this against you: you have left your first love! So remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent!

Yet this you have, that you hate the works of the Nikolaites, which I also hate.

“Nikolaites” is considered by some to refer to the “followers of Nikolaus.” However, it is more than that as it refers in verse 14 to those who hold “the teachings of Balaam.” The word is a combination of two Greek sounds: nikos and laites and is a poetic metaphor for the Greek words: nikos and leites, which means “those who conquer or are victorious (nikos) and take people captive (leites).” Its Hebrew counterpart signifies the “destruction of the the people.” The word is a coded word subject to a kind of metanalysis. It was written in the Bible to encapsulate a message to be deciphered later. Given what we know now, the coded-word is a clear reference to the “false apostles,” including Paul, the Pharisee, and his cohorts, who did lead the people to destruction by teaching them to follow in Balaam’s deceitful way (2 Peter refers to this.)

In Bible study meetings, I have taught the Book of Revelation many times. But never has this word made more sense. Even in theology classes, this word remained a mystery. To unravel this I used the Greek - English Lexicon by James Donnegan, published in 1840, which covers more words than will be found in any theologically limited Greek lexicon.

Most theological Greek lexicons have no meaning for the word and hence it has only been transliterated in the English translations, including The Scriptures translation, which doesn’t even have a footnote on the word. Or it is attributed to Nikolaus for which there is little information that we can use. This word is a real Bible code.

The promise to this group:

He who has an ear, let him [or her] hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him [or her] who overcomes I shall give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of Elahim.

Note that this promise is not limited to this one group. It is given to all the groups of called-out ones, the “assemblies” plural.

What does it mean to eat “from the tree of life?” We know the consequences of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That is our life now! This tree of life is described to be in the midst of the paradise or “garden of pleasure, beauty, and life” of Elahim. Paradise is not some ethereal place where you go after you die to await some future judgment. In the next age this will be a real place on earth where only those who are in the Family of Elahim can enter. In other worlds, only those who overcome now — during this time of the seven ages revealed to our father Enoch — will have the right to enter. They will eat of this tree and live forever. That is the promise to those who overcome.

To the called-out people at “Smyrna”

Keep in mind that the city in this list is of lesser importance than what is happening there. Each is a worldly place where those who have been called out need to overcome and survive. Each place is “evergreen” and applies to all who have been called out of the world regardless of the place of abode and time.

And to the messenger of the assembly [or group of called-out ones] in Smyrna, write: ‘This says the First and the Last, who became dead, and came to life.’

Very similar to what was said to the first group above. The repetition emphasizes the importance of the statement. Why? Because of what is yet to come.

I know your works, and pressure [tribulation,], and poverty (yet you are rich,) and the blasphemy of those who say they are Yehudim (Jews) and are not, but are a congregation of Satan [the adversary].

Who are these? Again it falls on the head of Paul and his followers. The result of his teachings produced “Christian” organizations — powerful religions who used death and torture to coerce people into submission. They claimed that they came from Peter, a man of Yehuda, but in reality they followed Paul, a Pharisee and descendant of Benjamin to whom Israel said little concerning spiritual leadership:

Benjamin is a wolf that tears; in the morning he eats prey and at night he divides the spoil. Genesis 49:27

Without question this is what Paul built from his teachings!

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. See, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, in order to try you, and you shall have pressure ten days. Be trustworthy [faithful] until death, and I shall give you the crown of life.

This is the future of any and all who guard the words of Eyahushuah and prove trustworthy; who are rich in Spirit, not from this world. Again, in the face of death, life is promised. Not just any life, but eternal life:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He [again, or she] who overcomes shall by no means be harmed by the second death!

The called-out people at “Pergamos”

Here is a group of people right in the thick of it:

And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos write, ‘He who has the sharp two-edged sword.”

Because of Paul’s teachings we think of the sword of the as the “Word of God.” This waters-down the meaning used in the Scriptures:

And the word of Eyahuwah came to me saying, “Son of man, set your face toward the mountains [nations] of Israel, and prophecy against them.”

And you shall say, “O mountains [nations] of Israel, hear the word of the Master Eyahuwah.” Thus said the Master Eyahuwah to the mountains [great nations], to the hills [small nations], to the ravines and to the valleys [anything in between], “Look, I Myself am bringing a sword against you, and I shall destroy your high places [places of worship], and your altars shall be ruined, your sun-pillars (crosses, steeples) shall be broken in pieces. And I shall make your slain fall in front of your idols, and lay the corpses of the children of Israel in front of their idols, and scatter your bones all around your altars.” (from Ezekiel 6, the entire chapter carries this message.)

Continuing with the message to the group at Pergamos:

I know your works, and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is. And you hold fast to My Name, did not deny the belief [trust] in me, even in the days in which Antipas was my trustworthy witness, who was killed near you, where Satan dwells.

“Antipas” is another Bible code word. It means “against the whole thing” referring, of course, to the ways of the world and all its teachings and, in particular, to all the world’s religious systems. This could also prophesy about the two witnesses, whose message and works the whole world will hate! “Killed near you” today means somewhere in the civilized world where communication can take the event to the rest of the world in an instant.

Religion, again, is a big part of the message to this group:

But I hold a few matters against you, because you have there those who adhere to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balaq to put a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat food [spiritual nourishment] offered to idols, and to commit whoring [adultery or worshiping other "gods"]. So you also have those adhere to the teaching of the Nikolaites, which I also hate.

The theme comes back only this time much stronger than before. Here the people are in the middle of it all. We are back again to even greater spiritual problems because of Paul and his followers. In this situation, the called-out ones are not only living in a place where they are surrounded by spiritual degradation but also those who follow these things are among the called-out ones!

Repent or else I shall come to speedily and fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

To him [or her] who overcomes I shall give a white stone and on the stone a renewed Name written which no other one knows except him [or her] who receives it.”

What name is on the stone? You will need to overcome to be qualified to receive it.

So far each of the groups or assemblies of called-out people has to overcome, not bad habits, but the corrupting and destructive influence of the world’s religions, including the Christian religion that grew from Paul’s teachings.

“He [or she] who has an ear, let him hear.”

To be continued …

After finishing the series on the events that mark the end of our age, I began to understand even more fully why overcoming is what we must do NOW if we desire to be part of the “better resurrection.” Promises of Eternal Life were made to the overcomers. Who are they?

[Next]

This may turn into a Bible study series, and if so I do not apologize because at least for me it will be worth it, and my hope is that it will be so for you, too.

The book of Revelation uses the word “overcome” 17 times. The name “Israel” means, “an overcomer with El” or one who prevailed to victory with El. Hence Jacob’s name was changed to reflect this great success. Prophecies foretell of one nation that will consist of “overcomers” when Eyahuwah returns to the earth. And Ezekiel, given the vision of the valley of dry bones, saw the “whole House of Israel” raised from the dead at beginning of the next age!

But along with the “whole House of Overcomers with El” (Israel) are people from every tribe, nation, and language who overcame the world during their lifetime in the first seven ages and became separate, clean, and worthy.

What more can be said about the importance of being an “overcomer” and not someone who has been “overcome?”

If you are not an overcomer, then you may find some offense in what I am about to write, but the Book of Revelation emphasized that the promises of power and authority, immortality, and all good things were made to overcomers!

What are the characteristics of someone who is overcome?

First, there is a fanatical view of one’s importance in the world. He or she is at the center of a universe around which all else revolves. These are overcome by the importance of their own thoughts. Every idea that passes through their mind is sacred. If someone tries to challenge these ideas, notions, and musings, the owner is deeply offended and accuses the challenger of arrogance. The retort is, “How can you say that about me?” Pride, greed, envy, hatred and such like, can overcome and conquer the person and cause anyone so afflicted to be cut off from the Spiritual resources available through Eyahuwah and the Elahim. Therefore, we must overcome these things that will overcome us, if we allow them to do so.

Second, there are those who have been overcome by scholarship and research. Not that these are bad things, they are not. But the person is not overcome by that but rather by the headiness that these bring. I said in another post that degrees are a trap. I know, I have them. But it is not simply a degree that seems to overcome people, rather it is the society and peer pressure that overcomes people. I had a friend who pursued his degrees with ardor and finally arrived at the point of getting his doctorate. Much to his dismay, he found that his judges were the most snobbish, “superior” faculty members and among the worst of the scholars. For them to be satisfied you had to kiss their you-know-whats, and do and say things that you know were not true and lacked integrity. Because of the hypocrisy, cronyism, and the sheer unreal-ism of the process, he had to walk away and fore-go his Ph. D. Rather than be “overcome” by them, he chose instead to be an overcomer. Yes, overcoming sometimes requires that you walk away from the world.

Third, religion of any size or shape is one of the greatest overcomers of the world. All religions are of the world. This includes churches, denominations, sects, cults, and all the “isms.” Hard to believe, but Scriptures and real life experiences prove this to be true. I wrote in another post about how the religions will be destroyed before the end of this age. There will be no “Catholic” religion in the next age of right doing. Neither will there be Judaism or Islam. There will be no Christian Conventions, revivals, Sunday School, or “sacred” rituals. Neither will there be the name “Jesus” or “church” or “God” or “Eucharist” or other such-like religious names or vocabulary.

Why?

Because these are the overcoming tools that are used to conquer (overcome) the minds of the followers.

During the time of the eighth age, we will learn new words, new songs, and most importantly, the truth. But the best thing that one can do now is to overcome and personally conquer the “conquering” influence of religion in one’s life.

There is more to said about the conquering influence of family, friends, peers, neighbors, poker clubs, lodges, media, in fact, about anything in this world that we can join or are already a part of. Each group from family into which we are born to the country we belong to that can conquer and overcome each of us individually. And if we decide to not follow their unprofitable ways, they may rather see us dead than alive. Attempting to reason with those who have been overcome is impossible. They appear to be in a deep sleep of hypnotism. Anything that tries to bring them out of their stupor is like playing with matches in a fireworks warehouse.

My hope is that through this Bible study series each of you will have a clearer view of the reality that exists apart from the world’s. The place to start, believe it or not, is the Book of Revelation, in spite of some who although part of this world, think they have a better way.

Why would the Book of Revelation place so much importance on overcoming?

Let’s find out.

To be continued …

P. S. This is the third time I felt that I had to change the headlines of this series. The first because if appears that “overcomer” is a verbalism to many readers. The second time I changed from “eternal life” because it dawned on me that most people think they have eternal life through a supposed “immortal soul,” which they don’t. Equating eternal life with the deceitful doctrine of the”immortal soul” is a gross mistake through all Christianity. So I changed to “end-time,” which is a main thread running through the Book of Revelation and the rest of the Scriptures.

Most people consider the Christian Bible or the Jewish Tanakh to be religious books. But this is not true. The Scriptures record how the people turned from a spiritual relationship with the Elah (Eloah), Elahim (Elohim) and Eyahuwah (YHWH) to religions learned from the nations around them. Then the religious leaders in the nations killed the prophets and the apostles, and any who would disagree with them.

This Bible study shows how the Scriptures tell about the end of the religions as one of the most significant and troublesome events marking the end of our age: the seventh age of Enoch’s vision.

When the next age begins, there will no longer be religion as we know it. Instead that age will be an age of righteousness, peace and hope. But the path requires that we turn from our religions now, otherwise we will receive the plagues and death the religions will receive.

This is one of the most shocking revelations of our time. And you will hear this only on this blog and on the podcast blog.

Here is the message (MP3, 17m21s)

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Direct download (11.9M) : EndOfReligion.MP3