The Promise - Revelation 2:17

The Promise - Revelation 2:17

THE 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 to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” ’ (2:17).

What the Spirit says to the churches – Stresses the vital importance of Christ’s words and the believer’s responsibility to hear and heed them.

Him who overcomes – We overcome, by God’s grace and power, the damning control of the evil world system (1 John 5:4-5).

Hidden manna – Manna was a honey-flavored bread with which God fed the Israelites during their years of wandering in the wilderness (Exodus 16:14). The hidden manna represents Jesus Christ, the bread of life who came down from heaven (John 6:48-51). He provides spiritual sustenance for those who put their faith in him. It symbolizes all the blessings and benefits of knowing Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

White stone – It was the Roman custom to award white stones to the victors in athletic contests. A white stone, inscribed with the athlete’s name, served as his ticket to a special awards banquet. In this view, Christ promises the overcomers entrance to the eternal victory celebration in heaven.

New name – The word new (καινός kainós, Gk.), “not before known,” means new in the sense of “qualitatively new, as contrasted with néos, temporally new.” The new name will serve as each believer’s admission pass into eternal glory. It will uniquely reflect God’s special love for and adoption of every true child of his.

Maintaining the path of compromise ultimately leads to eternal judgment.