Soon!

Here is a link to last week’s study in Revelation, “Soon”.

To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.

Revelation 2:17 (WEB)

There is wonder in the knowledge God shares with us, and as believers, we should desire His Word deeply.

For this segment about the Church at Pergamum, let’s go to the end of the story first.

There are three elements that I studied about in verse 17.

Overcomer -believers who endure by God’s grace

Manna – Jesus our Bread of Heaven

White Stone – Mystery known only to Jesus

The hidden manna reminds us of God’s care for the Hebrews in the wilderness, as He fed them from Heaven despite their sinful hearts.

But in this passage the manna is Manna. Jesus! It is a promise that our Savior will stay with us all the way. He is the Bread of Life.

“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:48-51 (WEB)

And then, look at the white stone. Most Bible scholars believe every redeemed soul will receive a white stone, believed to be possibly a diamond or a bright white stone. No one really knows for sure what the meaning is. This is one of the beautiful mysteries that we may know in Heaven.

It is possible that the stone will be just as described in this passage – a new name given to the believer known only to Jesus and the person who receives the stone.

Regardless, the joy of being with Jesus is all that will matter. Passages like this should create anticipation and joy in the hearts of every believer.

Don’t push back against adversity. God sees and knows just what you and I need to become more like His Son. Through hard times and in times of peace and joy the Spirit is steadily conforming us to be more like Jesus.

For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (WEB)

Now, back to the beginning of our look at Pergamum.

The angel in verse 12 was the messenger in Pergamum who received a message from Jesus. Jesus knows about the Church in Pergamum and its location in the heart of Paganism, which is called the throne of Satan. History has told that Pergamum held the largest pagan altar in the world. It was on this altar where unspeakable horrors occurred. And the Church at Pergamum suffered.

Jesus commended them for holding true to the word of God. Even after the martyrdom of a beloved church brother, Antipas, the church remained faithful.

Antipas was accused of being disloyal to Caesar. He was placed inside a large copper bull, and the metal was heated until the intense heat made it glow red.

Despite the Church at Pergamum’s positive actions, Jesus had issues with them for promoting Balaam’s doctrine and holding allowing the Nicolaitans’ doctrines to remain in the Church. 2 Peter 2:15

It is important to consider Jesus’s warning, which starts with the image of a double-edged sword in verse 12.

That sword symbolizes Judgment. Jesus knows every heart, the wicked, and those who belong to Him. He will never lose control, even when wickedness seems pervasive.

Although the influences differ, don’t you see a similar apostasy in God’s Church today? Churches have diluted the Gospel and diminished God, embracing godless beliefs and unsaved pastors.

He will never lose His grasp of His loved ones. Read John 10 every time you need a reminder of the knowledge that Jesus has of you. He loves you dearly.

Click the link below to read the passage from Revelation this week.

Share the Gospel in your world every day.

Revelation 1:12-17

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.