In the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of St. John, we find eight verses rich in promise of abundant good "to him that overcometh." There are four verses in the second chapter of Revelation, three in the third chapter, and one in the twenty-first chapter which stress overcoming as the condition for rising to heights of spiritual understanding. This overcoming results in the joy of dominion over evil in all its forms and the enjoyment of heavenly inheritance.
In the first of these chapters (Rev. 2) we read that he that overcometh will "eat of the tree of life," or in other words will enjoy the realization of spiritual substance; next we find that "he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death," or will have eternal life; again, he that overcometh will be able to perceive his true character, or his true selfhood; and lastly we learn that he that overcometh will have "power over the nations," or the understanding that he is not limited by or circumscribed by belief of nationality, race, or creed. In the fifth verse of the third chapter we read that "he that overcometh ... shall be clothed in white raiment," in other words, will express the purity and goodness that is rightfully his; in the twelfth verse of the same chapter the Revelator was commanded by God to write that he that overcometh will be made a pillar in the temple of God and shall go no more out of it. This would indicate that as one overcomes worldliness one gains security. In the twenty-first verse of the same chapter we find that he that overcometh realizes his at-one-ment with the Father; and the seventh verse of the twenty-first chapter promises divine and eternal inheritance of all good things. With such promises to be fulfilled overcoming becomes a joyous endeavor.
It is belief in a material selfhood that must be overcome; and when that is overcome, the true selfhood, or man in God's likeness, appears. Christian Science points out the way in this task of overcoming. It does this by giving us definite rules, for Christian Science is an exact Science. We cannot solve problems in mathematics without definite rules; neither can we solve the problems which present themselves for solution in the journey from sense to Soul without definite rules. Moreover, for success in any endeavor a knowledge and intelligent use of the rule or rules governing the activity is essential. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, gives us a definite rule on page 568 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." There she writes, "Self-abnegation, by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error, is a rule in Christian Science."
