The Hidden Manna and the White Stone

The Hidden Manna and the White Stone

“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.” “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Col. 3:3-4.

Further on we read exhortations about putting off and putting to death sin. This is done in the hidden life. People take note when manifest sins are put off. After the manifest sins have been put off, we always need to carry with us in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Cor. 4:10-11.

This will be the hidden life with Christ in God. It is both noticed and recognized by those who seek God. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” 1 Tim. 4:15.

“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Rom. 8:13-14. The Spirit leads us to the deeds of the body. If we sin under the law, we get a bad conscience. Then we have the spirit of bondage, and we live in fear. However, if we have the Spirit of adoption, we have no fear, but cry out: Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God. This is the hidden life with Christ in God. “To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.”

The hidden manna is revelation in God’s Word. Those who receive revelation not only receive the doctrine and speak it, but they practice it before God’s face. They receive revelation—the hidden manna.

“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.”

No one can live this life without being aware of it; therefore we know that we are children of God. However, the Spirit also bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Then it is not only the water, but also the blood and the Spirit that bear witness. This is also God’s witness concerning His Son. 1 John 5:6-9.

These testimonies in our inner man correspond to our name on the white stone. They indicate of how much divine nature each one of us has partaken. Therefore no one except the one who receives the name can know it. We must not seek the honor of man if we are to live this life. John 5:41-42.

“Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Rev. 21:14. Jesus became the chief cornerstone in this building. Eph. 2:20.

In Revelation 3:1 we read, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” The angel of the church in Sardis lived before the face of men and received honor from them. “You 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. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.” Vs. 4-5.

The new name was to be written on a white stone. The names were different, but all the stones were white.