Revelation 2:17 17Let the one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a name written which no one knows except the one who receives it.
This letter, like the others, calls the believers in the challenging city of Pergamum to listen closely to the Spirit’s conviction. The Spirit of God speaks the truth into people’s lives, and we must respond with obedience lest we experience the judgment of Christ. Those who overcome the temptations of culture towards sin and remain true to Christ will receive two rewards. One of Jesus’ gifts will be the hidden manna. Manna was the special food that God gave the people of Israel when they left Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years. This food sustained them when they could not farm or gather food. The food stopped when they crossed the Jordan River, when the people could raise their own food off the land. Manna represented God’s providential care and compassion for Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, where there was little food and water. The difficult part of this reference is in the word hidden. The word, when considered with the second gift, gives a sense of reward that is not visible now but will someday be revealed to those who are faithful. God gives us what we need to sustain ourselves as we go through the desert and trials of this world. This world can be a dry place for spiritual growth and nurturing. We may feel like exiles or isolated from other believers. The temptations of the culture may be severe, but God will give us what we need to survive and even thrive.
The second gift for those who overcome is a white stone with a new name on it. White symbolizes purity and holiness in Revelation. This stone has a new type of epitaph, unlike the one placed over our grave when we die. It does not describe our old life in this world but our new life in eternity. Many stones with writing and temple shrines existed in cities like Pergamum. Only the highest in society, for example, civic leaders, would ever have their name chiseled in stone. The followers are Jesus are special in two ways. One is to be honored with such a special monument, and two, to be honored by Jesus with a special name. God has created each person as unique. God has made something special in each of us that we may not see in ourselves. Through our faith in Jesus, this hidden quality begins to emerge and may become part of our eternal name. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).