The Daily Word of Righteousness

Judgment and Rewards, #26

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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. (Revelation 2:17)

To eat of the hidden manna (2:17).

The hidden manna is the supernatural strength given to God's warriors who are performing His will. When we are at the end of our strength, the strength of the Lord takes over. Our food is to do His will, to finish the tasks He has given to us.

Those who have not set themselves to do their Lord's will do not experience that hidden strength. They know only the wisdom and strength of flesh and blood.

They have received the Divine pardon but they are not pressing forward in Christ. They are not sharing in the heavenly resources that make it possible for us to attain the first resurrection from among the dead. Their efforts are limited to that which is possible for human beings to accomplish, even though through Christ they have been given the authority to be children of God.

The daily manna from Heaven is given to the Lord's warriors.

To be given a white stone in which is inscribed a new name (2:17).

Our understanding is that the white stone is a voting pebble. It signifies that the believer has passed from the ranks of those who have been called to those who have been chosen.

Multitudes are "called" to enter the Kingdom of God. But only a "few" respond to that call by forsaking all to follow Christ. Only those few are given confirmation by the Lord that they will receive the fullness of the inheritance.

It may be difficult for us to understand that God works His greatest works with a minority, not a majority of people. This is contrary to the way of the world.

The rights of people are being emphasized today. Governments respond to pressure from the masses. World approval is sought. Revolution is in order. Antichrist has persuaded humans that "the voice of the people is the voice of God."

But it is not at all true that the voice of the people is the voice of God. That often is the opposite of the truth.

The will of God is revealed and performed through individuals, not through masses of people. Noah, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, Paul, and Martin Luther, stood nearly alone when their messages were brought forth.

The Scriptures are a record of a handful of people, a remnant, bearing the true witness of God before a hostile, rebellious church and world. The reaction of Israel and the world is to reject and slay the prophets of the Lord. It is the same today in the Christian churches.

Today, perhaps as never before, the peoples of the earth are under great pressure to conform to public opinion. In a wicked age, the pressure to conform to group opinion works to Satan's advantage. The television adds to this emphasis on the will, the opinion, of the masses of people.

God seeks men and women whose hearts are perfect toward Him; who will stand resolutely in His Presence and speak His Word—not only the written Word of the Scriptures but also the Word that is issuing now from the mouth of God. Every true saint of Christ is called to stand in the Divine fire and announce the present will of the God of Heaven.

To be continued.