For this reason the Lord calls the Pergamenes to repentance. Otherwise He will come and fight against the lawless with the sword of His mouth. To those who overcome He promises the hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name written upon it.
"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:13). What should be understood by this throne of Satan? Clearly this name here denotes one of the chief representative places of idolatry and pagan impiety. One could say that Satan had, as it were, established His dwelling there.
From historical accounts it is known that Pergamum was renowned for many pagan temples. Among them the most famous was the temple of Asclepius, the god of the medical art. Along with many medical superstitions, the priests of Asclepius possessed scientific medical knowledge. By this they drew many idolaters to Pergamum.
These priests, together with the pagans of Pergamum under their influence, both natives and those flocking there from many other cities, could only be fierce opponents of Christianity. Probably at their instigation the hieromartyr Antipas was killed. Not without reason he is considered bishop of Pergamum.
"To him who overcomes I will give to eat of 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" (Rev 2:17). What is the hidden manna?
It is that true bread from heaven by which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself names Himself (Jn 6:32). The manna kept in the Mosaic tabernacle served as its type (Ex 15:31, 32).
The heavenly sanctuary now conceals our Savior from our sight. Yet the unwaning day of the Kingdom of Heaven will one day come. Then we shall partake more truly of this heavenly bread and this hidden manna. That is, we shall be in living communion with Christ the Savior.
This is the reward promised to all in the person of the victors of Pergamum over sensual desires. By these desires the Nicolaitans there enticed and drew men into their company.
What is the white stone and the wondrous name upon it? The metaphor of the white stone has its basis in an ancient custom. Victors in public games and contests were given tablets of white stone. They later presented these to receive the rewards awarded them.
In the mouth of the holy seer John, the white stone symbolically signifies the purity and innocence of Christians. For this they will obtain an immeasurable and endless reward in the age to come.
The mysterious name written on the white stone is the name of children and heirs of God. So lofty a blessedness is joined to this name in the future that no one can yet comprehend it. Even now we have the right to be called children of God (Jn 1:12), but "it has not yet appeared what we shall be" (1 Jn 3:2).
THEOSIS