Jesus made a promise to the Pergamum church. To those who would overcome their major problem, He’d give to them hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name (Rev. 2: 17). 

Being faithful to the gospel and holding fast to Jesus’ name wasn’t their major problem, even with the outside Roman pressure coming against it. The problem that needed to be overcome was the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans; teachings that compromised the church’s Christianity with acts of sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols. 

Upon overcoming those internal teachings, the church would be rewarded with hidden manna. Here, Jesus was referring to Jewish tradition that said that when Solomon’s temple was destroyed, Jeremiah hid the ark of the covenant in a cleft in Mt. Sinai. Inside the ark, among other items, was a pot of manna. The tradition continued that  when the Messiah came, the hidden ark and manna would be found, and the manna would be served as the food of the messianic kingdom. So Jesus used the “hidden manna” reference to symbolize eating the heavenly manna, described in Psalm 78: 24, 25 as “the bread of the angels.” 

As for receiving a white stone, the hearers of that time would have continued to know what Jesus meant. A white stone was given to  victors of the athletic games played during those times and the victor would have his name inscribed on the stone. That bestowed upon the victor special honor and privileges, such as admission to public festivals.

And It also would have been understood what was meant when Jesus said a new name would be be given to those admitted to heaven. Biblically, when names were changed, it usually was done to indicate a change of character (think Abram to Abraham,  Saul to Paul). Our change of character when we get to heaven will be changed from imperfect to perfect..  

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*Read The Nicolaitans. Click here.