To the Church in Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

Theme

Living in the city of Satan. This week’s lessons teach us the danger of compromise.

Scripture

12"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I know where you live–where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city–where Satan lives.

14Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17He 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."

–Revelation 2:12-17

Lesson

In a context that is dealing with war or fighting, it is not unexpected to read about rewards for those who overcome, though the challenge to overcome is found in each of the seven letters (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). The earlier words were spoken to the church as a whole; all needed to repent of their compromise with the world and its standards. But now Jesus speaks to individuals, to those who do overcome, and makes great promises to them. They will receive "some of the hidden manna" and will be given "a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it" (v. 17). We understand that these symbols are important. Yet few images in the entire book have received such diverse and multiple interpretations.

1. "The hidden manna." Manna is the easiest to understand, because it is a clear reference to the years in which the people of Israel, wandering in the wilderness, were fed by food from heaven, according to the Old Testament (Exod. 16:1-36). Still it has multiple overtones of meaning.

For one thing, this is "the hidden manna," a cryptic reference to the fact that Moses had placed a jar of manna within the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle (Exod. 16:33, 34; Heb. 9:4). A person would be able to eat of that manna only if a way could be opened to the presence of God, which, of course, is what Jesus did for those who believe in him and trust in his atonement. Again, Christians would know that Jesus had referred to himself as the true manna or bread which came down from heaven (John 6:33, 35). Jesus is hidden to the world, which does not believe in him, but he is made known and is available to all Christians. If the believers at Pergamum refuse the food which is offered to idols, they will be given the food which, if a man eats of it, means he will live forever.

2. "A white stone with a new name written on it." There are many interpretations of this unusual reference, almost as many as there are commentators. Not all of them need to be taken seriously. The most common interpretations are these:

a. The stone has been understood as a tessera or ticket admitting the possessor to the king’s presence or to a royal feast.

b. It has been seen as a pebble used to register a vote of acquittal in some courts. The Greek general and politician Alcibiades said, "If I should be accused in a capital case, I would not put my trust in anyone. I would not put my trust even in my mother for fear that through error she might put in the urn a black instead of a white stone."1

c. It has been viewed as one of the stones in the breastplate of the Old Testament high priest, with the names of one of the tribes written on it. Or the Urim and Thummim, which the priest used for determining the will of God in a specific matter.

d. It has been called an amulet intended to bring the bearer good luck.

e. Or a symbol of the person, white representing his or her purity.

f. Or a symbol representing Christ, bearing his name. The fact that the stone has "a new name written on it" is the best clue for understanding the symbol, in my judgment, though commentators are divided over whether this is a new name for the Christian–a new name signifying a new nature, like the changed names of Abraham (who was Abram), Jacob (who became Israel), or Peter, meaning "rock"–or a newly disclosed name of Jesus Christ.2

We do not need to choose between the two. For what is the Christian’s new name if not "Christian," the name of Jesus Christ? That we are called Christians signifies that we belong to Christ, that we are his servants, that we rejoice in his fellowship and together seek his kingdom and his glory.3 The reason the name is "known only to him who receives it" is that the assurance that we belong to Christ is an individual matter. No one can believe or be assured of salvation in our stead. Are you Christ’s? Then you must live for him, honor his name, and keep yourself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27).

#1See Donald Grey Barnhouse, Revelation: God’s Last Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971), p. 56.

2In the next chapter Jesus speaks of three new names specifically: "the name of my God," "the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem," and "my new name" (Rev. 3:12). So the symbol may have broad meanings.

3This is the view of William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors, p. 70.

Study Questions

• What does Jesus promise individuals who will overcome?

• To what does the hidden manna refer?

• What is significant about being called by the name "Christian"?

Reflection

Are you Christ’s? Then you must live for him, honor his name, and keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

This daily devotional study is from the Bible teaching of Dr. James Boice on the broadcast The Bible Study Hour. You may order the audio version of his studies here.