Revelation 21:7; He that Overcometh (3)

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

The future tense looks forward to a fulfilment after the resurrection (cf. Luke 20:36; Romans 8:23).

Luke 20:36 (KJV)  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Romans 8:23 (KJV)  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

John is not oblivious to the relationship with God that already exists (1 John 3:1), but he is looking forward to receiving the full inheritance and not just “the earnest”.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV)  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

The words “and he shall be my son” came first to David and referred to David’s seed as the recipient of the promise (2 Samuel 7:14).

2 Samuel 7:14 (KJV)  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 

Later they referred to Solomon and the great Son of David, his seed the Messiah (Psalm 89:26-27).

Psalm 89:26-27 (KJV)  He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. 

Elsewhere in the New Testament this Davidic formal has Messianic overtones in conveying the intimate relationship between the Father and Jesus. Here John transfers the Messianic formula from Christ to Christ’s bride, but in so doing changes the earlier part of the saying from “Father” to “God” to reserve a unique place for Jesus as the “one begotten Son of God” (John 1:17-18). (Beasley-Murray)

John 1:17-18 (KJV)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 

This is the only reference to sonship in Revelation. John prefers the figure of priesthood to portray the believer’s closeness to God. For whatever reason, he chooses not to emphasise the relationship of sons just as he chooses to mention the love of God for His people only a few times. (cf. Revelation 1:9, 19; 20:9) (Moffatt).

Revelation 1:9 (KJV)  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Revelation 1:19 (KJV)  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Revelation 20:9 (KJV)  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody 1995, 449-450]