A New Name

Introduction

Being ready for Christ’s return is an important theme in Scripture.

The Book of Revelation underscores that theme—that Church needs to be ready.

An examination of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation yields important principles for the believer in Christ to live by:

Ephesus: Fervent Prayer

Smyrna: Fearless Faith

Today we will look at the church in Pergamum.

But I want to begin with the end.

Revelation 2:17 ESV

17 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.’

The church and the believer who conquers is promised two blessings:

Hidden manna

White stone

And on that stone, a new name

New Name (a life blessed by God)

How do we live a life blessed by God?

Point 1

Look to Christ.

Revelation 2:12–13 ESV

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Jesus is referred to as the One who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Pergamum is the administrative center of the province—as well as a center of emperor worship. It was also a spiritual center for Satan and his work.

Jesus was reminding the church that there is a power greater than that of any earthly governor or any satanic force.

Jesus commended the church for holding fast to His name and they refused to deny His name.

A believer by the name of Antipas maintained a faithful witness of Christ—implying that He suffered and died for the faith.

Since this city was a center of satanic activity, the church could only function by looking to Christ.

Point 2

Live within Spiritual Integrity.

Revelation 2:14–15 ESV

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Although the church honored Jesus, something was seriously wrong that needed correction.

The problem was false teaching.

Some in the church embraced “the teaching of Balaam.

In the Old Testament (Numbers 31), Balaam was the man who, after being prevented from cursing Israel, apparently advised Balak, king of Moab that the Israelites would forfeit God’s protection if he could induce them to worship idols.

Jesus points specifically to two problems: eating food sacrificed to idols and practicing sexual immorality.

People of the church were compromising the Gospel—they embraced sin in order to meet the demands of living in a sinful community.

Jesus further points out that the church had also faced pressure from the false teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Compromise occurred with devastating compromise. Spiritual corrosion

Application: The church must vigorously maintain spiritual integrity in its teaching and its practice.

Without integrity, the church loses its moral authority and invites the judgement of God.

“Sword of my mouth”: the words of Jesus

Point 3

Learn to repent.

Revelation 2:16 ESV

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Genuine repentance is the only solution to confront error.

What is repentance:

Acceptance of responsibility for the sin.

Sorrow (viewing sin from God’s perspective.

Changing direction (with the power of the Holy Spirit).

Living in humility and worship.

Conclusion

Revelation 2:17 ESV

17 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.’

For those who embrace with words of Christ, blessing:

Hidden manna.

The hidden manna alludes to Israel’s exodus journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and signifies God’s provision to sustain his people while they live in the tension between the hope of the kingdom of God and the reality of the suffering world.

Jewish tradition suggests that Jeremiah hid the pot of manna prior to Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 B.C.

Jesus is the true bread of heaven.

White stone.

In Pergamum the local rock is black basalt, and the name of any benefactor inscribed on a building would need to have been made on a piece of imported white stone (usually marble).

Black and white stones were also used in voting, and in trials a black stone would signify a guilty verdict, while a white stone signified acquittal.

In the blessing, we see Jesus having intimate knowledge and approval of those who keep the faith—that is the only thing of ultimate importance, in contrast to the opinion of the surrounding culture and society.

New Name

In the days of the early church, a person’s name was more than a distinguishing mark.

The name was widely held to sum up what the person stood for. It represented his or her character.

It stood for the whole person.

Here then the new name represents a new character.

The name here is precious. It meant that God had given the overcomer a new character—and something special between you and God.

Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion