The word John uses here recalls the promise God gave to his people Israel while they were journeying to the Promised Land, namely, that they would “inherit” the land (Exodus 32:13; Leviticus 20:24). By definition, an inheritance comes to the recipient (commonly children when their parents die) “without payment.” The people of Israel inherited the Promised Land without payment yet did need to fight and conquer the Canaanites. In a similar vein, John’s readers need to fight (“conquers”) yet will freely inherit God’s renewed creation.
7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.