What does Revelation 2:26 mean?

Jesus promises to reward everyone who honors Him until the end. This verse uses the Greek term nikōn, a reference to conquering, victory, or "overcoming." He will grant the overcomer a position of authority over the nations.

According to Psalm 2, someday the nations will unite in an effort to dethrone God, but He will defeat them in His wrath and fury. After defeating the rebels, He will place Jesus, the Messiah, on the throne in Jerusalem and proclaim Him king over all the earth. Matthew 25:31–42 captures the scene in which Jesus comes to earth in glory and all nations assemble before Him for judgment. His earthly kingdom will be glorious with unprecedented peace, prosperity, and holiness (Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:6–9; Micah 4:3–4; Zechariah 14:10, 20). During His reign over the nations, Jesus will grant believers the privilege of sharing in His rule (1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:12).

The disciples anticipated Jesus' worldwide kingdom, but they assumed He would establish it in their lifetime. They even quarreled about which of them would have seats of honor in the kingdom. Jesus rebuked them for such selfish ambition and explained the importance of being humble (Mark 9:33–37). After Jesus arose from the grave, the disciples wondered if Jesus' kingdom was imminent, but Jesus said the timing of the kingdom was in the Father's hands (Acts 1:6–11). The kingdom is still future, but believers can look forward to it and to the privilege of serving Jesus in His kingdom.