Revelation 21:7

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 21:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Revelation 21:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that overcometh, etc.] All spiritual enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, the antichristian beast, his image, mark, and number of his name; who is more than a conqueror through Christ; one that perseveres to the end, notwithstanding all temptations, trials, and difficulties; (see Gill on “<660207>Revelation 2:7”), shall inherit all things; the kingdom of Christ in the new Jerusalem state, and all things in it; heaven, eternal glory and happiness, and everlasting salvation; yea, God himself, who is the portion, and exceeding great reward of his people, and will be all in all. The Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read, “these things”: the new heaven, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that overcometh--another aspect of the believer's life: a conflict with sin, Satan, and the world is needed. Thirsting for salvation is the first beginning of, and continues for ever (in the sense of an appetite and relish for divine joys) a characteristic of the believer. In a different sense, the believer "shall never thirst." inherit all things--A, B, Vulgate, and CYPRIAN read, "these things," namely, the blessings described in this whole passage. With "all things," compare Co1 3:21-23. I will be his God--Greek, "I will be to him a God," that is, all that is implied of blessing in the name "God." he shall be my son--"He" is emphatic: He in particular and in a peculiar sense, above…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that overcometh - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. Shall inherit all things - Be an heir of God in all things. See the notes on Romans 8:17. Compare Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21. And I will be his God - That is, forever. He would be to them all that is properly implied in the name of God; he would bestow upon them all the blessings which it was appropriate for God to bestow. See the 2 Corinthians 6:18 note; Hebrews 8:10 note. And he shall be my son - He shall sustain to me the relation of a son, and shall be treated as such. He would ever onward sustain this relation, and be honored as a child of God.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that overcometh - Which is more than, "he that thirsteth." Shall inherit these things - Which I have made new. I will be his God, and he shall be my son - Both in the Hebrew and Greek language, in which the scriptures were written, what we translate shall and will are one and the same word. The only difference consists in an English translation, or in the want of knowledge in him that interprets what he does not understand. Revelation 21:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:7 All who are victorious: God’s children who persevere in life will inherit his blessings. Adoption is a covenant relationship; the language of adoption certifies their privileges and responsibilities (cp. Gen 17:8; 2 Sam 7:14-16; Jer 31:33; Ezek 34:24).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“overcometh: Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:25 inherit: Sa1 2:8; Pro 3:35; Isa 65:9; Mat 19:29, Mat 25:34; Mar 10:17; Co1 3:21-23; Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:4, Pe1 3:9 all things: or, these things and I: Rev 21:3; Zac 8:8; Rom 8:15-17; Heb 8:10; Jo1 3:1-3 Revelation 21:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification