What does Revelation 21:7 mean?

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7

Explanation

Revelation 21:7 is a verse that emanates a message of hope and victory for the faithful believers in Christ. The book of Revelation, where this verse is found, is largely apocalyptic in nature, filled with symbolism and prophecies about the end times and the final divine judgement. This particular verse promises a great reward to those who persevere in their faith through trials and tribulations. The phrase “He that overcometh” can be interpreted as anyone who remains steadfast in their faith despite the challenges they face. It implies a spiritual victory over sin and worldly temptations. The reward for overcoming these challenges is described as inheriting “all things,” which indicates the totality of God’s blessings. Being recognized as God’s son in this passage underscores a deep, familial relationship with the divine, where believers are not just servants but children of God, highlighting their closeness and importance to Him.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John the Apostle while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, which is believed to have occurred around the end of the first century A.D. during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Christians during this time were undergoing severe persecution and the book was written to offer them encouragement, urging them to remain faithful. The imagery and language in Revelation were consistent with apocalyptic literature of the time, which often used symbolic and allegorical storytelling to convey hope for deliverance and restoration amidst oppression and strife.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Revelation 21:7 is interpreted in several ways:

• Evangelical View: A literal promise of eternal life and inheritance of the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation 21. It is often seen as encouragement for personal piety and perseverance.
• Amillennial View: Overcomers have already begun to inherit all things through the spiritual realities that are present in the Church, not necessarily waiting for a future millennium.
• Postmillennial View: This verse anticipates the victory of the Church over the world before Christ’s second coming, implying a gradual Christianization of the world.
• Catholic View: Overcoming may also be tied to the concept of purgatory, where souls are purified to become worthy of heaven, and thus, the inheritance of all things is a state of purification completed.

Practical Applications

Practical applications of this verse can be manifold:

• It can teach the value of perseverance and enduring trials with faith.
• Inspire believers to confront temptations and societal pressures by holding onto their beliefs.
• Provide comfort to those suffering by offering an eternal perspective on current hardships.
• Encourage Christians to live a life worthy of their calling as children of God, emphasizing purity, holiness, and ethical conduct.

Cross-References

• “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)
• “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)
• “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
• “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)

Language Study

The Greek word for “overcometh” is “νικῶν” (nikōn), which means to conquer, prevail or get the victory. The expression “shall inherit” comes from “κληρονομήσει” (klēronomēsei), meaning to receive an inheritance. “All things” is translated from “πάντα” (panta), signifying the whole or all-encompassing rewards. “His God” involves a possessive relationship; God acknowledges the victorious one as belonging to Him. The phrase “he shall be my son” involves a Greek term for “son,” “υἱός” (huios), signifying not only descent but the intimate and legal standing of a child in a family.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within the wider context of ancient myths and religions, the concept of becoming a divine or favored offspring of a god is not uncommon. Many myths from various cultures, such as Greek and Egyptian mythologies, talk about humans being elevated to divine status or becoming children of gods. However, in the biblical Christian context, the relationship is more about adoption and grace, rather than physical descent or apotheosis.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings as it speaks to spiritual inheritance and divine relationships, which fall outside the purview of empirical science. The notions of endurance, reward, and lineage have psychological implications – for instance, in the resilience and coping mechanisms in humans – but these are psychological rather than strictly scientific perspectives.

Commentaries

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Henry suggests that this verse assures the greatest honors and happiness to the persevering and faithful Christian, indicating a strong filial relationship with God.
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Barnes emphasizes the completeness of the inheritance promised to believers, as the “all things” encompasses the entirety of what is valuable and desirable.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: This commentary relates the verse to the Christian’s spiritual warfare and the absolute victory promised to the overcomer under the metaphor of adoption as God’s child.
• The Pulpit Commentary: It interprets “all things” as including the new heaven and the new earth, positing total victory not just over death and sin, but a transformative inheritance that changes the believer’s existential reality.