It wasn’t easy being them. The church at Pergamum had nasty neighbors. They lived “where Satan’s throne is”. They walked the streets “where Satan dwells”. To stand fast for their faith could cost them their lives (Rev. 2:13).

In a sense, I wonder if we couldn’t think of this counter-cultural congregation as being under siege where, with the world in which they lived, friendship, food, and fleshly pleasures were pretty sparse. So perhaps it’s not surprising that some stumbled as they were wooed by “the teaching of Balaam”, ready to hang out at tables were idol-meats were served and sexual immorality was practiced (Rev. 2:14). But Jesus says to His church, “Repent” (Rev. 2:16). Make a U-turn. Do a 180. Though you hunger now “where Satan dwells”, know that what awaits is hidden manna.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

(Revelation 2:27 ESV)

Hidden manna . . . What is this hidden manna?

I think of manna and it was anything but hidden (Numbers 11). Showed up every morning, six days a week. Sustenance in the wilderness. Sufficient for getting to the promised land. So, what is this hidden manna promised for those who conquer, for those who refuse meat sacrificed to idols?

Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.” Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the LORD to preserve it for all future generations.” Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant—in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.

(Exodus 16:32-34 NLT)

Is this the hidden manna? Bread from heaven kept before the LORD preserved for all future generations. Bread found in the holy of holies. Bread from where the glory of God dwells. Bread which Jesus said pointed to Himself (Jn. 6:35-41).

Is Jesus the hidden manna? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Say “no” to the teaching of Balaam, stand firm in the siege, pass on what’s sacrificed to idols, and know the reality of feeding on the hidden manna. Our union with Christ our access to the holy of holies, to the place where the glory dwells, where the manna is preserved, where food for the soul is available. And that food is Jesus Himself.

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.”

“I am the bread of life.”

“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

~ Jesus (John 6:27, 48, 57-58 ESV)

Hidden manna . . . chew on it.

By His grace. For His glory.