It is how you finish that counts.

I have been reading in Revelation the messages that God gave the seven churches. There is one thing phrase that is repeated to each of the seven churches which is "to him who overcomes". To each person who overcomes they have a special reward from God.

To the church in Ephesus, he will eat from the tree of life in paradise of God. To the church in Smyrna, Christ will give the crown of life. To the church in Pergamum, Christ will give him spiritual food and a new name. To the church in Thyatira, God will give him authority over the nations and the same kind of authority that Christ received from the Father. To the church in Sardis, he will be dressed in white and his name will never be blotted out of the book of life. To the church in Philadelphia, he will be given the right to sit on God's throne.

Yet, all these rewards are dependent on us overcoming. I like how it is said best in Revelation 2:26 - "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end...". God spoke to me clearly, it is not how you begin the race or how you begin the fight that counts. It is how you finish that counts. We must finish well. It is not even important when you began the race or got into the fight, but it is how it ends that counts. Many a servant of the Lord began well, but didn't finish well or never finished at all. We could serve God faithfully for 25 years, but fail to serve Him faithfully to the end. There will be no reward for those who do not finish well. This is a scary thought. Lord Jesus help me to finish will and be faithful to the very end. I will then receive those wonderful blessings that you have promised to all who overcome.