March 15, 2026

Of all the books of the Bible, Revelation probably causes the most confusion and frustration. It is a book that is often avoided in our daily Bible reading because of its sometimes difficult imagery. And yet of all the books of the New Testament, it probably has the simplest and easiest message. The interesting thing is that the message of the book is on a shoe. 

You would be hard pressed to find someone who does not know of the name brand Nike. Most of us have had a pair or two of Nike shoes. If you were young when I was you know that Air Jordan’s were an essential piece of a kid’s wardrobe. What most of us don’t know is that we were running around with the key message of the last book of the Bible on our feet. 

There are many ways of looking at the book of Revelation. Some far better than others but even the worst interpretations of the book I have ever seen admit that the theme of the book is victory. My English Standard Version mostly uses the word conquer, some use overcome, or victor but the message is the same. God will be victorious in the end as will those who remain devoted to him. The Greek word translated victor or conquer is the word nikao which Thayer defines as: 1) to conquer 1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious 1a1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes 1a2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions. When we look at the definition it’s easy to see why Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight chose Nike as the name of their shoe company. The word Nikao is found 17 times in Revelation describing various figures being victorious but especially describes those who are faithful to God. 

It is Christians then who deserve to wear the term Nikao or victor because they will stand victorious with God consider: Revelation 2:7 To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God; 2:11 The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death; 3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels; 5:5 the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals; 17:14 The Lamb will conquer them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of kings and those with him are called chosen and faithful; 21:7 The one who conquers will have his heritage and I will be his God and he will be my son. 

So the next time you see a Nike commercial, or lace up your runners, or pass someone on the street with the famous swoosh on their shoes remember Revelation, and the reminder it offers, that not just in sports but in eternity there are winners and losers. The winners are those who chose to be on the winning side with God and Christ. And ask yourself which side am I on?

~ Kevin Cleary