A DOUBLE PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER.
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2:17. Evidently this is not a promise reserved till the overcomer shall have finally triumphed over all obstacles, and received the seal of God’s approval for eternity. Rather it is indicative of the Lord’s care for the individual who is, day by day, in the faith of Christ, overcoming the temptations and besetments of life. It shows a close personal relationship between the individual child of God and the Saviour of men. It is a complete refutation of the modern theory of salvation of men by groups, either great or small. Every individual disciple has a case in the heavenly court, which he has entrusted to the divine Advocate, and there are features of that case known only to the client himself and his Advocate. “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” This is why “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12), Jesus Christ being the only intermediary. Manna was the food that God sent down from heaven to sustain His pilgrim children as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan. The source of supply was hidden from them, but it came to them fresh every morning. A portion of this manna was placed in a pot, and laid up in the most holy apartment of the sanctuary, as a memorial of God’s providing care. As Christ now occupies the heavenly sanctuary, and there receives the prayers of His struggling disciples on earth, He responds with daily supplies of such spiritual food as they individually need. It is hidden from all who do not have the faith to seek for it, or the mind to receive and assimilate it. The child of faith will endure, “as seeing Him who is invisible.” “A white stone” is a figure representing an ancient custom of giving some small token of friendship to an intimate friend as a memento. It might be an object of devotion, something of imaginary value in a superstitious way; but, though small, it would be that which the giver highly prized, and was in turn prized by the recipient. Peculiar and sometimes valuable stones were given, which were supposed to possess extraordinary value as charms to ward off evil, and bring good fortune. They sometimes bore the names of the chosen friends. So the Lord uses this figure to illustrate something of real value that He will pass to the individual who is overcoming obstacles through faith in Him. The new name represents the character that the recipient is forming by overcoming his peculiar trials and imperfections. No one knows the meaning of the name but he who has had the experience. The power to overcome individual faults is a gift that no one understands save the individual himself; for none but he knows all that had to be overcome. It is this knowledge of individual conditions and individual needs, and His absolute impartiality of love irrespective of persons, that enables Christ to “save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.”