July 28, 2023: Hidden Manna White Stone New Name

"... To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'" (Revelation 2:17, ESV)

Each of the churches, of Revelation 2 and 3, were experiencing external pressure to abandon their faith in Christ. The church of Pergamum was located in the place that Jesus referred to as the throne of Satan. The pressure there against the followers of Christ had to be great. The church was doing many things right, but Jesus was bringing correction because she was becoming sexually immoral.
    
There are promises to those who overcome. Pergamum was given promises too, or rewards for overcoming. Winning over Satan is always our objective! We should overcome even when His throne is right next door.
    
Jesus promised three rewards to those who overcome sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols:

• Some of the hidden manna.
  
• A white stone.
  
• A new name that only the recipient of the stone knows.
  

The beauty of these three things is the mystery that they hold. 

Hidden manna is the manna that has been held back just for this occasion! The white stone carries mystery as nothing is told about it except that it has the 'new' name that the overcomer will receive. It is a name only known by Jesus and the one who receives it.
    
Though mystery may surround the three rewards, the positive note is that nothing is hidden from Jesus. He knows us