Hidden Manna and a White Stone Revelation 2:17

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, and followed with the “church in Pergamos” where He told them, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication”, and he added, “So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” In chapter two and verse seventeen of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told them how He, “will I give the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone” where we read:

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.

The verse begins, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; ” John began with the word, “he that has an ear” which means “the person who hold, owns and possesses the body part used for the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding and knowing with the mind”, “let him hear” or “allow and permit that person attend to, consider, understand and perceive” “what the Spirit” which means “that which the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “says” which means “speaks, utters, declares and proclaims” “unto the churches” which refers to “toward the assemblies of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting”. Jesus desires for everyone to “consider, understand and perceive” what God's “Spirit” is telling the “churches”.

The verse goes on to say, “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, ...” John added the words, “to him” or “to the person whether male or female” “that overcomes” which means “who conquers and carries off the victory” “will I give” or “shall Jesus grant, supply, furnish, deliver and bestow” “to eat” which means “to consume and devour” “of the hidden” which means “the concealed and secret” “manna” or “the food that nourished the Israelites for forty years in the wilderness and means what is it”, “and will give him” which means “and Jesus shall grant, supply, furnish, deliver and bestow” “a white stone” or “a brilliant, light, splendor and shining worn smooth stone or pebble”. Jesus promised “hidden manna” or “the spiritual nourishment” as well as “a white stone” which denotes “acceptance and approval” to those who “conquer and carry off the victory”

Finally the verse says, “... and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.” John continued, “and in the stone” or “within the brilliant and shining worn smooth stone or pebble” “a new name” which means “a recently made, unused and unworn name that is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “written” or “delineated or formed letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”, “which no man knows” or “that no person whether male or female perceives, understands, has knowledge of and is aware of” “saving” which means “except and whether” “he that receives it” or “the person whether male or female who lays hold of, carries, takes away and uses it”. Jesus shared how the “brilliant stone” given to the person who “overcomes” would have a “new name” written within it that no one else knows except for the person who receives the stone.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how Jesus desires to bless those who put their faith and trust in Him. He promised to give them “hidden manna” which is “spiritual food and nourishment” and “a white stone” which refers to the “ball of acceptance and favor”. In those days two balls or stones, one white and one black” were placed within a bag. Someone would retrieve one of the balls or stones out when attempting to determine whether “acceptance” or “rejection” of an idea was best. To be “black balled” was to draw out the “black ball” which denoted “rejection”, and “acceptance” was noted by the “white ball”. Jesus promises not only to give “hidden manna” but also a “white ball” with a “name written therein” that no one else knows other than the recipient, and those who are wise shall not only seek the Lord Jesus with all their heart, but also determine to be an “overcomer” through the power of His “Spirit”.

Next time John writes how Jesus tells the “church in Thyatira, “I know your works, charity, service, faith, patience and works”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.