It Starts Small

In this verse Jesus concludes His letter to the church at Pergamum by extending an invitation and making a promise. He invites anyone with ears to hear the Spirit’s messages to the churches.

Jesus promises a reward to everyone who refuses to accept the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. These were mentioned in verses 15 and 16, respectively. Jesus speaks throughout the book of Revelation the rewards of being an overcomer and conqueror:

In the same way, the one who conquers will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.

Revelation 3:5

The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God—and my new name.

Revelation 3:12

To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3:21

The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Revelation 21:7

John wrote:

 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

1 John 5:4

The overcoming here is the overcoming of the value system of the world. This person consistently walks in the Spirit. It is possible to defeat the influences around us. In this verse, Jesus says the overcomer will receive from hidden manna and an inscribed white stone.

Manna was a welcome source of food to the Israelites during their journey through the desert (Exodus 16, Numbers 11). The overcomers at Pergamum refused to eat food offered to idols, but they will enjoy bread from heaven. The feast Jesus prepares for His faithful servants exceeds by far anything the Devil offers us. Manna is the supernaturally provided food. Jesus promises “hidden manna” to those who live victorious lives. He hides this manna from the eyes of those who are negative toward Him. Jesus gives spiritual nourishment to those that live a life of victory.

Jesus also promises a white stone with a new name inscribed on it. Only the recipient of the honor knows the inscribed name. We cannot say with certainty what this stone represents, but we can be sure the recipient enjoys approval from Jesus and fellowship with Him. The importance of this stone is that Jesus writes our names on it. This indicates God’s acceptance of us and thus assurance of eternity and the blessings that come with eternity. A secret name is a name of intimacy. We receive full fellowship with the Lord when we overcome sin.

Jesus invites us to reject and refuse the world and by doing this He is promising to feed our spirit with everlasting food and having a personal and intimate relationship with Him.