Revelation 2:17 — He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
Jesus says that the one who is victorious by faith will be given two things: hidden manna and a white stone.
Manna is the victor’s food. The one who overcomes by faith is treated to this heavenly food that satisfies every hunger of the soul. God stopped sending manna when the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The only manna that existed after that was hidden in a pot inside the ark of the covenant. But with the start of Christ’s new covenant, the manna is revealed once again!
In 1 John 5:4-5, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Christ makes our life hidden with Christ in God. Just like the manna hidden in the pot in the ark, we are hidden with Christ in God. We feast on the Bread of Life from heaven—the true manna—Jesus Christ, our eternal life.
Stones were used in New Testament times by citizens for voting; a white stone showed approval and a black stone showed disapproval. God approves of those who put their faith in Christ, and He gives them heavenly citizenship. The Lord also gives us a new name. Biblical names express the character and nature of a person. The Lord renamed places and people to bring about a change in them.
Jesus has a new name for each one who overcomes by faith. The believer’s new name is unique to him or her and describes who Jesus has made the believer to be. As we walk by faith, we are growing into who we already are in Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). One day, we will hear Jesus say our special name to us!
Our Christian life is about becoming the person we are in Christ, the one He has already made us to be. Each one of us has a unique relationship with Jesus, and we each become a particular reflection of His multifaceted Person. The body of Christ is an infinite diversity in absolute unity with Christ. This is why the body of Christ is so beautiful.
03/01/2025 Devotional
"Jesus has a new name for each one who overcomes by faith. As we walk by faith, we are growing into who we already are in Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). One day, we will hear Jesus say our special name to us!"
My old sin nature is sick and tired of the world system.
Yet, I have to live until God calls me back to heaven.
He is waiting for me with my special name.
As I walk with my faith, my pain and suffering are reduced within old flesh, and my new nature grows.
Ephesians 2:6 NLT
[6] For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the…