Apocalipse 2

Apocalipse 2

Barnes writes this is "A mode of address often employed by the Lord, this is designed to arrest the attention of the listeners and to denote that what has been said is of special importance." (See Revelation Exegetical Commentary) What the Spirit says to the churches - While the letter to Pergamum in Rev 2:12-16 is specifically directed to this local body, the declaration by the Spirit is directed to ALL 7 churches (and all churches of all time). Church are you listening? To him who (present tense - continually, as one's lifestyle) overcomes (nikao) - To him who is victorious, who conquers. Remember those who overcome (nikao) are not "super saints" but genuine believers (see 1 John 5:4-5+ and preceding notes). Only believers can "receive" and "understand" this truth. It is worth noting that the verb nikao is in the present tense indicating that this is their lifestyle, their habitual practice (thus Lenski translates it "To the one conquering."). Lifestyle speaks not of their perfection (that will only happen when we are glorified), but of their direction ("heavenward"). What is the general direction of your life? Thomas adds that the "thought is not that of victory finally achieved at the end of life, which would have been an aorist participle. It is rather the picture of a believer who from the beginning of his faith in Christ to the end of life stands victorious because he keeps on overcoming whatever the enemy has to offer." (Bolding added). (See Revelation Exegetical Commentary) Keeps on overcoming (the world, the flesh [sin] and the devil) speaks not of perfection but of direction (Heavenward). To him I will give some of the hidden manna - Manna recalls God's provision of food to Israel in the wilderness for 40 years (See Ex 16:31-35+). While we cannot be absolutely certain of the meaning of hidden manna in this passage, if we Compare Scripture with Scripture we see the following words by Jesus... “I am the bread of life. “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” (John 6:48-51+) Hidden manna would be another way of saying that He would give them eternal life (if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever). (See note below) While the manna in the wilderness sustained Israel for 40 years, but they still died, but Christ gives a "better manna" (cf "better covenant," "better mediator," etc). Everything Christ gives is better! John MacArthur on hidden manna - Manna was a honey-flavored bread with which God fed the Israelites during their years of wandering in the wilderness (Ex. 16:14ff.). According to Exodus 16:33, the Israelites were to memorialize that divine provision by keeping a jar of manna inside the Ark of the Covenant during their travels. The hidden manna represents Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life Who came down from heaven (John 6:48–51+). He provides spiritual sustenance for those who put their faith in Him. The hidden manna symbolizes all the blessings and benefits of knowing Christ (Eph. 1:3+). (See Revelation Commentary) Tony