Pergamum was the city where Satan had his throne. It was a city filled with demonic religions where the persecution had been so severe that Christians had been put to death. In his letter, Jesus had affirmed for their faith but had also scolded them for tolerating “believers” who were leading members of the church into idolatry and immorality. Jesus called the church to endurance and faithfulness with the following promise.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Rev.2:17)
This is a promise not just to believers at Pergamum but to all the churches and to all believers. Being faithful to the end is not always easy. Sometimes it is difficult because persecution comes rushing our way and threatens our lives, our security, or our ability to provide for ourselves or our family. At other times faith falters because life or the enemy has pecked away at our hearts and our hope through an accumulation of disappointments, losses, and loneliness through the years. Sometimes the constant distraction of the cares of the world causes our faith to wither and eventually die. Enduring and overcoming day after day and year and year is not easy.
God’s word is filled with promises that tell us that enduring in our faith and guarding our hearts is worth it. Here Jesus promises hidden manna for those who continue to battle and overcome the enemy. Manna, of course, was the supernatural bread that Israel found in the desert every morning. As a symbol it speaks of God’s strength and provision for his people. As the Jews left the wilderness to enter the Promise Land, the manna ceased because they had entered into a land that would sustain them with God’s blessing. But as a reminder of the source of their strength, health, and provision manna was placed in a golden pot inside the Ark of the Covenant as a reminder of the days when Israel was totally dependent on God’s faithful provision.
Jesus promises the “hidden manna” to those who endure. Jesus tells us that he is both the bread of life and the bread of heaven (See Jn.6:48, 51). This manna is hidden because it is unseen. You can’t walk out in the morning and pick it up off the ground but it comes to you unseen and supernaturally. It is Jesus giving himself to us for strength, health and provision. Like the manna in the wilderness it can’t be stored up but must be collected every day. Manna is daily bread and those who will overcome must receive from him every day. The promise is that when we seek Jesus daily and endure in our faith, he will be there and meet our needs for life in amazing ways seen only by faith.
The second promise is a white stone with a new name written on it. In the ancient world, those on trial were found innocent or guilty by the casting of a white stone or a black stone by those sitting in judgment. It is probable that Antipas, the faithful martyr of Pergamum, was found guilty by black stones and executed for his faith. But Jesus will cast the vote for those who are faithful to the end and he will cast it with a white stone. On that stone your new name will be written and known only to you and the one who wrote it – Jesus. A new name represents a greater and more intimate relationship than you have had before. Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, and so forth. As God gave them new names their walk with him deepened and their blessings increased.
As we continue to live in faithfulness to God and overcome the enemy day by day, our walk with Jesus will increase, our intimacy with the Father will deepen, and we will have a unique and abiding relationship with him. Those who are extremely close in their relationships share things that no one else knows. Nicknames, shared experiences, and inside jokes are expressions of fondness and familiarity. This promise offers a relationship like that with the Father, the Son and the Spirit – extremely personal and intimate. You will not just be a face in the crowd in heaven but you will have a name and, perhaps, knowledge of God that will not have been revealed to anyone else. Power, provision, intimacy, and eternal innocence is the promise for those who keep their hearts aligned with the Father and who do not step off the track before finishing the race.