JANUARY 14, 2024 – MANNA AND STONE

READ: John 6:32-40

… 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. – Rev. 2:17

The Lord also comforts His church. The double-edged sword brings either death or life. He seeks the lost in order to save them. In the same way, Christ gives a glorious promise to the church that perseveres in its battle, both externally and within. The Lord promises gifts to those who overcome, the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it.

The hidden manna refers to the manna that Israel received in the wilderness. It points to Christ: He is the true bread from heaven. Manna is His nourishment for eternal life. That heavenly manna is still hidden because Christ is in heaven. Yet, we receive it through His Spirit.

The church in Pergamum must deny itself various worldly pleasures and idol offerings, but Christ says, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). He is the true food and drink of eternal life. Those who conquer in the struggle of faith and persevere in the strength of Christ receive from Him the beginning of eternal joy.

The second promise for those who overcome is a white stone with a new name. What is this white stone, literally a white pebble? The most plausible explanation is that of a ballot stone, used to cast a vote, for example, to convict or acquit someone. A black stone means guilty, a white one means acquitted.

The color white possibly signifies the cleansing atoning blood of Christ, providing acquittal (cf. Rev. 3:5, 18). The new name that only the recipient knows will be given to us in our completely renewed and glorified state. That name indicates who and what we truly are at our core. The Lord Himself grants that name. He also knows that name, sanctified by His blood in glory. What a comfort!

Can you imagine what eternal joy is like?  

Singing: Hymn 35:4,5 (1984), 44:4,5 (2014)