48 REVELATION 2 inescapable. It is the same word used in Rev 22:12, “I am coming quickly”KJV. Either the believer repents of his worldliness and commits to obeying biblical principles and commands, or he will face divine discipline or chastisement and the loss of the light shining capacity of the church’s ministry. The true Christian should live in the Word and by the Word, allowing it to transform his mind to be like Christ’s (Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 2:16). Reflection: What should the warning of chastisement “quickly” provoke in our lifestyle? (See 1 Jn 3:3)
THE PROMISE (2:17)
2:17a
The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it. 2:17a The repeated phrase, “one who has an ear had better hear…” To walk with God there must be a willingness to understand, change and obey everything written in the Word of God. This is evidenced by our commitment to read, study and meditate on how to apply all that is said in the Word to our lives. Obviously this is a lifetime quest. Reflection: The best way to do this is to constantly ask yourself the question: what does this verse mean that I should obey today?
2:17b
… the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, 2:17b. To the faithful “overcomers” or “conquerers” (1 John 5:4-5) Christ promises three things will be given: First, He promises to give them “hidden manna.” The fact that it is “hidden” (krupto, perfect passive participle: “having been concealed, unknown, or keep secret”) suggests a metaphorical meaning. “Manna” was a honey-flavored bread that miraculously appeared daily during forty years for Israel’s survival in the dessert (Ex 16). The “unseen” nourishment that the church is promised refers to the “bread of life…the bread that has come down from heaven, so that a person may eat from it and not die…If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever…” (John 6:48-51). This is a metaphor for the blessing of