Which "church"?
The churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are local churches in the Tribulation period and not the Body of Christ in the Age of Grace.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
1. When will the devil be bodily present and literally cast people in prison? When will he put people in tribulation ten days?
2. When will life becomes a "crown", while today, it's a gift (Rom. 6:23)?
3. When will a person has to overcome in order to escape the "second death" (lake of fire)?
Compare the following:
Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
with:
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdomshall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
1. "Great tribulation" is in BOTH contexts.
2. Ruling in the kingdom is in BOTH contexts.
3. Enduring the great tribulation to the end ("till he come") in order to be saved and enter the kingdom is in BOTH contexts.
The "morning star" is Christ. Do I have to overcome and keep His works until the second coming in order to receive "the morning star"?
Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
"covenant of grace"
As I've said, the church is not under any "covenant" but under a "testament". covenant is not the same as a testament. Please read Hebrews 9:15-17.
Covenant does not require death and blood, but a testament surely does.
The church is under the "new testament" by grace (by virtue of the DEATH and BLOOD of Christ), and not under the "new covenant".
Context determines meaning. The context of Revelation 2 and 3 is not Church Age.
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