5th Church: Sardis

To the Angel of the Church of Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

Historical Setting: Sardis, population 120,000 at John’s writing, was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, and located at the foot of Mt. Tmolus, about 50 miles east of Smyrna and 35 miles south of Thyatira. In AD 17, “the greatest earthquake in human memory” destroyed Sardis and 11 other cities in a single night. Thus, the warning of Christ, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain…Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you,” was especially ominous. The city, like the church, was filled with former glory, but was now dead. “The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the South” (Obadiah 1:20). Sepharad (“separated”) is believed to be the Semitic name for Sardis, which housed one of the largest known ancient synagogues.

Name Defined:  Sardis is associated with the city “Sepharad ” which means separated. Others have seen Sardis (which literally means “red” like the sardius stone) with Edom (which also means “red”), who are descendants of Esau. Sardis/Edom/Esau/Dead Church is in contrast with Philadelphia / Israel / Jacob / Living Church. Sardis is dead, slumbering, and hated like Esau. Philadelphia is vibrant, “loving of brothers” and loved by Christ (Rev. 3:9).

Church History Parallel: “The Protestant Church” (1520-Tribulation)-Like the church at Sardis which had a name of being alive but in fact was dead, the churches from the Reformation “separated” from the Thyatira “Jezebel” church, but did not have its works “fulfilled” or completed before God (Rev. 3:2). Luther’s church in Germany soon became a state church and retained much of the problems of the Roman Catholic Church. The same can be said of the churches in Zwingli’s Switzerland, Calvin’s France, and Henry VIII’s Church of England.

     I.      Christ’s Description-Has The Seven Spirits Of God, The Seven Stars-see 1:4, 16 (Rev. 3:1)

   II.      Commendations (3:1,4)

1. Reputation-A name that it was alive

2. Remnant-A few had not defiled their garments, worthy to walk with Christ in white

  III.      Condemnations (3:1-2)

1. Dead-The church was dead

2. Deeds Incomplete-Its works were not fulfilled before God

 IV.      Commands (3:2-3)

1. Watch-Be watchful

2. Work-Strengthen the things which remain but are about to die

3. Remember-it had once received and heard

4. Retain-Hold fast to the early teachings

5. Repent-Turn around in your thinking so that your actions change.

   V.      Consequences (3:4-5)

1. The Overtaken

                           i.    Unwatching-Christ to come upon them as a thief (See also Rev. 16:15)

                         ii.    Unaware-The time will be sudden

                        iii.    Unprepared-for Christ’s return

2. The Overcomers

                           i.    Clothed-in white garments

                         ii.    Continued-Name not blotted out from the Book of Life

                        iii.    Confessed-Christ will confess his name before Father and angels

 ¹ “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

BE ALIVE: Christ has the seven-fold complete and fullness of the Holy Spirit. Yet the dead church was lacking the vitality of the Holy Spirit. As you study the book of Revelation, are you asking God to reveal truths to you today, for you to apply to your lives today? Is our church, the local church, is it in the hand of Christ? Is our church alive or dead? What are we doing and what are our works? Do we have a good reputation and a good name? Do we live up to our name?

The correlation of the Spirit of God, the Church of Christ’s hand and death are made clear in Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” and again in 8:5-6, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,” in  8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” and again in 1 Peter 3:18 –“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

²Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect (fulfilled-as in Rev. 6:11; complete-NASB,NIV) before God. ³Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

WATCH: Can you imagine finding out about some land for sale that had a huge supply of oil hidden beneath it? What would it be worth to you to purchase that land, knowing that once it was in your possession, all of your investment would be returned hundreds if not thousands of times over? The Sardis Church, and the dead Reformation/Protestant church is like the treasure hidden in the field. It had a name, but was dead. It had good buried within it, but on the outside it was languishing, weakening, ready to die. It had potential, but not brought to completion before God. It had received and heard, but it was forgetting and letting go of the truth. The church was more like the world, not even ready for Christ’s return.

What if you bought the land and spent all of your possessions for it, and then never used the treasure hidden within? What a waste! The joy of the purchase would turn to mourning. What if we as a church let the star’s flame flicker out? We know the answers. Paul told the Philippians that they had to do the things that they had “learned and received and heard and saw” in him in order to have the “God of peace” with them (Phil. 4:9). Paul rejoiced over the Thessalonians because the truth, the word of God, was effectively at work in them. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thes. 2:13). The word “perfect” is nowhere else translated as perfect. Instead, it is translated as to “fulfill” or “complete.” Did you know that God has a work for you to do that no one else can do as well as you? Only you can fulfill the works that God has designed you to do. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). We are “thoroughly equipped” by the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17), and empowered by the Spirit of God (Acts 1:8)

A Sardis Church is a dead church and may have the name of church but does not have the spirit within it. It is a cold church, with the fire hidden, almost ready to forever be extinguished. Like the Corinthians to whom Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15, they believed in vain, because while they received the word in part, they did not “hold fast” to all of the truth. Paul concludes with a charge that the Corinthians should “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” What happens to those who “hold fast”? Jesus commands John to write:

⁴You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. ⁶“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Notice the journey of the names in Sardis whose garments had not been defiled. Those names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Those names will be confessed by Jesus Himself. Greater than any graduation day, we will hear our own names being read off by Jesus Christ Himself. God the Father, on that great and glorious throne will listen as your name is read off by His own Son. In His nail-scarred hands, Christ will hold the Lamb’s Book of Life, and in permanent, indelible ink, your name will be forever listed as an overcomer. 

Your garments may have looked undefiled on earth, but look at the clothes you’ll receive in heaven! Never again will we endure shame as our white garments will cover all of our nakedness and sin (Rev. 3:18, 16:15). But look! Christ doesn’t stop with a new white wardrobe and a new name written on a white stone and a declaration of our name before His Father and His angels. Christ, with His hair all white, is clothed in garments of white, described in Matthew 17:2 as white as light. Christ rises from His seat at the right hand of the Father, as He did with Stephen (Acts 7:55), He stands and he walks with us in white, in purity and before all in heaven, Jesus Christ, the holy Lamb of God, declares us WORTHY. What does the Spirit say to the churches? 

Stay undefiled. Hold fast. Be separate. Be watchful. Work. Remember. Hold Fast. Repent. Be ready. Overcome.

4th Church - Thyatira

To the Angel of the Church of Thyatira

To the Angel of the Church of Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

“The Jezebel Church” (607-Tribulation)

 I.     Christ’s Description - Eyes Like A Flame Of Fire, Feet Like Fine Brass (2:18 see also 1:14-15)

II.     Commendations (2:19)

1.  Deeds/works, love/charity, faith, service, perseverance/patience

2.  Last works were more than the first

III.     Condemnations (2:20-15)

1.  Allowed self-proclaimed prophetess to teach and seduce Christ servants (2:20)

                   i.   to commit fornication

                 ii.   to eat things sacrificed to idols.

2.  She did not repent (2:21)

3.  Some knew and spoke of the “depths of Satan” (2:24)

IV.     Commands (2:22,25)

1.  Repent of the deeds

2.  Hold fast until Christ comes

V.     Consequences (2:22-28)

1.  Those who commit adultery with her will be cast into great tribulation

2.  She will be cast into a bed

3.  Her children to be killed with death

4.  True churches to know the “I AM” who searches the minds (reins) and hearts

5.  Each will be given according to works

6.  Overcomers (believers, see 1 John 5:1-4) will receive…

                   i.   Power over the nations

                 ii.   The Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)

PARTICULARLY:

Historical Setting: Thyatira is perhaps the most insignificant city in the seven letters, yet Jesus Christ devotes the longest letter to this church. Pliny the elder dismissed Thyatira, lumping the city with “other unimportant communities.” Lydia in the book of Acts was from Thyatira, and was a seller of things dyed purple (Acts 16:14), a color of wealth and royalty. Jesus refers to a woman as Jezebel, but she is not known historically except for this reference. Some have speculated that it could have been anyone from the preacher’s wife to a false prophetess outside the church, enticing true Christians.

Name Defined:  The name can be defined as “thea” (female goddess) plus tira (tyrannical rule). Others have said the word comes from “thuo” a wood used for aromatic sacrifices and plus tira, or “reigning (continual) sacrifices.” Both the adulation of Mary and the teaching of continual sacrifice of Christ have been falsely taught by the papal church since this era.

PROPHETICALLY:

Church History Parallel: “The Adulterous Church” (607-Tribulation)-The final four churches differ from the previous three in that Christ concludes each letter with “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” indicating that each church will have a similar end. The final four churches correspond with churches which will likely be ongoing until Christ returns.

The church at Thyatira was similar to the Pergamos church, but this church has a prominent false prophetess called Jezebel (in Hebrew = “wife of Baal.”) In 607, Boniface III became the first bishop of Rome to have the title of “universal father” or “pope” by decree from the Roman Emperor. During this era, the catholic clergy were first said to be “married to the church,” which Biblically was reserved only for Christ (Eph. 5:23).

It is not just Rome which has had false churches. Even today, there are false churches which go by the label of Protestant. Any church which has mystical teachings are both idolatrous and commit spiritual “fornication” (Rev. 2:20-21). Yet, there are true believers within this time frame from the seventh century A.D. through now, with “charity and service and faith and patience and works” even greater than the first (Rev. 2:19). The church grew during this period in some ways greater in number and greater in devotion, but also in its apostasy, which eventually led to the Reformation.

The children of Jezebel (Rev. 2:23) should be interpreted figuratively, perhaps as false churches which will be put to death by Christ, but at the same time the true church is encouraged to hold fast “till I come.”

¹⁸ And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ¹⁹ I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

This appearance is similar to Daniel 10:5-6 in His feet and eyes. Fire signified judgment and purity, in contrast to the Jezebel-like woman and the impurity within the church, despite the good works being done. The Old Testament altar was also made of “burnished bronze” or something like a copper and gold color. Churches will see that Jesus doesn’t just look at the good deeds, but also the thoughts (reins-KJV, minds-NKJV) and hearts as well.

²⁰ Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit (fornication-KJV) and eat things sacrificed to idols. ²¹ And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. ²² Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

Many have compared this woman of the fourth church to the woman of the fourth parable of the Kingdom of Heaven, found in Matthew 13:33 and also the woman clothed in purple in Rev. 17:4. Fornication can be interpreted as spiritual or literal. Good works do not negate false doctrine.

Jesus allows time for repentance, but if not heeded, judgment will come, for both the leaders and the followers. The word for “bed” used in marriage (see Heb. 13:4) was a different word used here, which often was used for carrying the sick, hence the translation “sickbed.” Jezebel was called a harlot in 2 Kings 9:22. As Jezebel, with painted eyes and adorned head, was cast down from her lofty window (2 Kings 9:30-37), so also would this false prophetess and so will be any false teaching in the church.

Historically, many of the sins of the Adulterous Church during this time period (607 AD and forward)   have since been repented of and admittedly erroneous.  

²³ I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. ²⁴ Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. ²⁵ But hold fast what you have till I come.

Children often suffer for the sins of their parents, especially those who commit fornication. Likewise, if Jezebel is symbolic of a false church, children would be false cults that come from false teaching and practices. False churches and organizations which have good works but errant teachings are dead and will go into the great tribulation. On the other hand, while the world is undergoing the Great Tribulation, the true church and Christians will receive their good rewards according to their works before the Judgment Seat (Gr: bema) of Christ. (See Matt. 16:27, Romans 14:10, 1 Cor. 3:8-15, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Tim. 4:8, 2 John 1:8, Rev. 22:12).

²⁶ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- ²⁷ “He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels”-- as I also have received from My Father; ²⁸ and I will give him the morning star. ²⁹ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

This is in fulfillment of Psalm 2:9, the first Messianic Psalm. See also Rev. 12:5 and Rev. 19:15. In the thousand year reign of Christ, Christians will have authority and ruling power over the nations, or sometimes translated “the Gentiles” or unbelievers. There will still be nations during the millennium, and part of our reward will be to reign as Christ has also received from His Father to reign (see Rev. 5:9-10). Thrones will especially be given to those beheaded during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 20:4).  There will be twelve thrones especially for the judging of Israel (Matthew 19:28) and perhaps another 12 thrones (perhaps for the gentiles or nations).

A description of life on earth is given more fully in Isaiah 11-12. Wolves, leopards, lions, bears, and serpents will lay peacefully with baby goats, lambs, cows, and even children. This new state will be like a “new earth” according to Isa. 65:17, but not the new earth in Rev. 21:1. Resurrected believers will have new bodies, but also there will be still unbelievers and sinners (Isa. 65:20), and some of the nations or unbelievers will be deceived by Satan (or at least the devil will try to deceive them) at the end of the millennium.

The morning star (astera ton proinon) refers to that shining light from heaven seen after the darkest of night. This reference to Jesus is seen again in Rev. 22:16 and also 2 Peter 1:19. This term should not be confused at all with Lucifer which is sometimes wrongly translated as “morning star” (HSCB, GNB, NIV), or “star of the morning” (NASB) from Isa. 14:12. The Hebrew word is “Heylel” or shining one (which is transliterated into the Greek to helios or the “sun god” from which we get the word “hell.” It is followed by the word “ben” or “son of” and then the word “shacar” or morning. Accurate translations (King James and New King James) do not try to make “Heylel” to be translated as “star” or “morning star” as it literally means bright. There is another Hebrew word that is translated star, but it is “kowkob”, not even close to “Heylel”.

It is amazing that Satan has wanted to be “like the Most High” (Isa. 14:14) and has been aided by the translators of some of the newer Bible versions.

PERSONALLY:

We all have good works. We can find good in most if not all people. There may be a few people who could be described as completely devoid of good, who don’t have an ounce of love, who have never served anyone else to save their lives, entirely devoid of faith and patience. But most of us could describe ourselves like Thyatira, and we would like to think that maybe we are getting better than we were at the first.

Intermixed with our good works, however, may be the spirit of Jezebel, which originally unrighteously fed the lust of Ahab. Lust as described by Christ is the same as adultery. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28).

The sins of the lust of the eyes, flesh, and boastful pride of life eventually lead to death. The wages of sin death, Romans 6:23 states. Our world is increasingly ruled by the idolatry of fornication, adultery, and idolatry and those sins are causing Christ’s servants to teach and seduce My servants to commit (fornication).

3rd Church: Pergamos

To the Angel of the Church of Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17

PERGAMOS (313-590) THE STATE CHURCH

PARTICULARLY:

Historical Setting: All three of the cities named so far in Revelation were cities of great prominence and even rivalry as premiere cities of Asia. Pergamos (modern-day city is Bergama) was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Within the city was an altar to Zeus and nearby were a temple to Athena and a shrine to Asklepios. 

It was also the first location for a temple for a Roman Emperor, Augustus. A hub for idolatry, Pergamos was identified as the throne (Gr: thronos qronoz) of Satan and where Satan dwelled. It once housed the largest library in the world, with 200,000 scrolls (parchment was first used in this city for writing). That fact significant since Jesus identifies Himself as “He who has the sharp two-edged sword” and will fight with “the sword of my mouth."

The Word of God, both written and Incarnate, is superior to all of the world’s books combined!

There is no record of who Antipas was, but his name means “IN PLACE OF ALL.” The word martyr is the same word for witness.

Pergamos was filled with idolatry, thus eating things sacrificed to idols was a greater stumbling block here than in other places. As a result, Jesus condemned its practice. While Paul could eat those things with a clear conscience, he condemned its practice even for himself if it made others stumble. (Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 1 Cor. 8:13).

Name Defined:  Per= “about” + gamos=“marriage” (e.g. monogamy, polygamy). The city is sometimes mistranslated as “high tower”, based on a similar Greek word, “purgos,” which is spelled with an upsilon (“u”) rather than an epsilon (“e”). The church began to be married to the world, to government, and to pagan practices.  Meanwhile, church leadership forbade marriage to the clergy, a practice Biblically condemned (1 Tim. 4:3, Heb. 13:4).

Balaam is mentioned nearly 60 times in the Bible in eight different books. Christ condemns Pergamos for holding to false doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Balaam’s doctrine was idolatry and fornication (Numbers 31:16 says Balaam’s counsel was to get pagans to intermarry with the Israelites--see Numbers 25).

    I.      Christ’s Description - He Who Has The Sharp Two-Edged Sword (2:12, see also 1:16)

   II.      Commendation (2:13)

1. Held to Christ’s name, despite living at Satan’s throne and dwelling

2. Had not denied faith in Christ

3. Experienced the martyrdom of Antipas (Gr.: “in place of all”)

  III.      Condemnation (2:14-15)

1. Held the doctrine of Balaam

             i.    Teaching caused stumbling blocks

            ii.    Teaching caused others to eat things sacrificed to idols

           iii.    Teaching led to fornication

2. Held the doctrine of Nicolaitans, which God hated

            i.    Could have been teaching of clergy “ruling” (nico) over “laity” (laitans)

           ii.    Early church leaders describe Nicolaitans as being of Nicolas (Acts 6)

A.    Ignatius: “Lovers of pleasure” (107 AD)

B.    Irenaeus: “They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence" (170 AD)

 IV.      Command (2:16)

1. Repent

   V.      Consequences (2:16-17)

1. Christ will come quickly and will fight with the sword of His mouth

2. Overcomers will receive hidden manna, a white stone with a new name inscribed

PROPHETICALLY:

Church History Parallel: “The Pagan Church” (313-606 A.D.)-When Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome, the church instantly went from being the persecuted church to the preferred church. As a result, many pagan doctrines were “married” with the church. 

During this time the canon of the Scripture was finalized, but the church leadership gave the people less access to it, and even began holding services in Latin, rather than the people’s native language. Tim LaHaye cites some of the pagan doctrines introduced into the church as prayers for the dead, making the sign of the cross, worship of and praying to saints, angels, and Mary, extreme unction, doctrine of purgatory, and celibacy of priests (Revelation Unveiled, pg. 59). 

These doctrines led the clergy to have a manipulative hierarchy over the laity, hence the prophecy of the Nicolaitans, or clergy "ruling" over lay people.

    

2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword.”

 Jesus calls the Pergamos church to remember His sharp two-edged sword, which immediately conjures up the imagery of the word of God.

For the WORD OF GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.   

Heb. 4:12

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  

Eph. 6:17 

However, when compared to the other usages of the word sword in Rev. 19:15, and 21, it compares more with the imagery of judgment on the nations, seen also in Psalm 149. 

⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, ⁷ To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; ⁸ To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; ⁹ To execute on them the written judgment-- This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!¹³ I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality (fornication-KJV). ¹⁵ Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Prophetically, the pagan church would “hold fast” to Christ’s name and not deny the faith, but it began to be intermarried with pagan practices and doctrines. Antipas’ name means “in place of all,” signified that even though many had been martyred in the persecuted church days, the faith was not denied.

Spiritual prostitution or unfaithfulness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament (Isa. 1:2; Jer. 2:20, 3:8-9; Ezek. 16; Hosea 1:2, 2:1-5).

The teaching of Nicolaitans may have been an early form of Gnosticism which separated spiritual purity from PHYSICAL SINFULNESS, coming from the apostate Nicolas, who was an early Greek layperson in the church (Acts 6:5).

Some have deduced that the very name “Nicolaitans” reveals that it is the doctrine of the clergy ruling over the laity which Christ hated. That practice was introduced when Rome took over the church. Both may be correct.

Jesus’ own brother, in one of the earliest epistles, called those who were friends with the world were enemies of God and “adulterers and adulteresses. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4).

JESUS will also have a name unknown (Rev. 19:12). All three names will be written or given to the overcomers (Rev. 3:12). A name is many things, but most importantly, it is identification. 

Isaiah reveals Jerusalem’s new identity: “Never again will you be called the Godforsaken City or the Desolate Land. Your new name will be the City of God's Delight and the Bride of God, for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his own” (Isa. 62:4, NLT). Our new name will be unique to each one of us.

PERSONALLY:

FORNICATION comes from the Greek word porneia which is close to porne which is translated as harlot, whore or prostitute (NKJV). The condemnation may be more spiritual than sexual and fornication is a more accurate term. Today's society has become overly sexualized without necessarily going to prostitution. Furthermore, we are increasingly seeing people identifying their identities with a sexual connotation.

 PERVASIVELY:

Jesus concludes His seven letters saying that the Spirit is speaking to the churches pervasively, in John's day, in history, and in our day today. 

¹⁶ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

In five of the seven churches, Jesus commands the churches to repent. This time, Christ promises to come to “you” quickly and fight against “them.” Like the illustration of the wheat and the tares, Jesus will come with a sword or sickle of judgment and separate the “marriage” of the carnal and the spiritual. The worker of the Lord rightly divides the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15), and the Scriptures also are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

¹⁷ He 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 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.

Hidden manna invokes an imagery of JESUS, who is the TRUE MANNA from heaven (John 6:48-63). Rather than eat food of idolatry, Jesus promises secret, hidden food that gives life. We do not need to fall down to the world in idolatry but live quiet lives, spiritually eating and obeying His words. 

A white stone was used in delivering JURY VERDICTS, with white meaning ACQUITTAL and black meaning CONVICTION. Paul used this word in saying “I gave my voice (my vote) against them” in referring to his voting to persecute the church before he was saved.

A new name. Just as a man bestows a new name on His bride, God will give JERUSALEM a new name (Isa. 62:2) and Jesus will give overcoming believers a new name.