Revelation 2:17 promises the overcomer three things — the hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name written in it. Each one is a reward of victory, and each is only for those who endure to the end.
Revelation 2:17 — He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
"To him that overcometh" — only those who overcome the obstacles of life and gain victory over the temptation of sin shall receive the reward: the hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name.
Three promises, one verseScripture does not leave the reward vague. It names all three, and names them to the one who overcomes.
The manna, and where it went
The literal manna was a wilderness food provided from heaven for the children of Israel. Manna was given to feed and sustain them in their wilderness life (Exodus 16:15, 35), but after they entered the promised land it was not provided for them any longer. However, a golden pot with manna was put inside the Ark of the Covenant in the sanctuary (Exodus 16:33, Hebrews 9:4), thus being hidden from the eye of the world.
Exodus 16:33 — And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
The manna in the wilderness was a symbol of Christ, the true Bread of Life sent down from heaven (John 6:31-63). Those who are overcomers will have access to Christ, who is now the hidden manna. To be a partaker of Christ means to be a partaker of His divine nature and of eternal life.
1 John 5:11-12 — And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Hidden, but not lostThe pot of manna was put out of sight in the sanctuary — kept, not discarded.
God promises to give unto His people that which eye has never seen, so they can enjoy it throughout eternity. As the manna was hidden in the sanctuary by divine power and was preserved from corruption, so Christ in His incorruptible body has passed into the heavens and is hidden there until the time of His appearing.
Christ Himself is the manna, hidden from the world but revealed to believers by faith. The full manifestation of Him shall be at His second coming. The overcomers are those who gain victory over sin, persecutions, trials, and all the obstacles that they will encounter.
While on earth they will partake of the spiritual food through the Communion Service, which is a symbol of the broken body of Christ. By this emblem the people of God are fed, nourished and sustained from heaven as they journey through this world, this wilderness of sin.
The white stone, and the new name
At the end of their victory, they will be given a white stone with a new name written therein.
A name depicts character, and white is a symbol of purity. The new name depicts the victory over sin and difficulties; it shows that the purity of their character is through Christ their righteousness. It also entitles them to the special privilege of entering in through the gates of heaven into the City of God.
The name of Jacob was changed to Israel after he wrestled with God and prevailed. A new name will be given to those who wrestle and overcome the obstacles of life, all sins and evil tendencies. To eat of the hidden manna and receive the white stone with a new name, you must be an overcomer.
Tried, then crownedThe blessing is not on the man who avoids the trial, but on the man who endures it.
James 1:12 — Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Only those who endure the trials and temptations and overcome all the obstacles of life will receive the crown of life, eat of the hidden manna, and receive a new name.
This is the fourth part. Overcoming Obstacles takes up Matthew 24:13 and what enduring to the end will cost; Part Two sets out what Scripture names to overcome and the tree of life promised to the one who does; and Part Three turns to Romans 5:20 and the promise that the overcomer shall not be hurt of the second death.
If this study has raised something you would like to talk through, the team reads every message: ask a Bible question, or send a prayer request.
On the sanctuary where the pot of manna was laid up, The Sanctuary works through the types, the services and the Messiah they pointed to. On the Christ who is Himself the hidden manna, Getting to Know Jesus takes up the law, sin and saving grace, and the Everlasting Gospel sets out the message of Revelation 14.
For the strengthening of body and mind while that endurance is asked of us, the Ministry of Healing section takes up health, healing and the whole person.
First published at https://timeisathandlive.org/blog/overcoming-obstacles-part-four — Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries. Read more studies at timeisathandlive.org.
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