“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…“ (Rev. 2:17) Just what is this “HIDDEN MANNA?”
Someone from the crowd that had gathered around Jesus, said, “Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is MY FATHER who gives you the TRUE BREAD from heaven. For the BREAD OF GOD is the bread that comes down from heaven and GIVES LIFE to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I AM the BREAD OF LIFE. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:31-35)
We know from the scripture that Jesus is the “WORD OF GOD”, “In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God.” (John 1:1) And just to make it clear, “The WORD BECAME FLESH and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and ONLY SON, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) When Jesus was tempted by Satan, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. For forty days Jesus fasted and became very hungry…the devil came and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” JESUS SAID, “NO! The Scriptures say, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” (Matt. 4:1-4)
Now about these secret or “hidden” things, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed BELONG TO US and TO OUR CHILDREN forever…” (Deut. 29:29) There are times, when God rewards us for our faithfulness by revealing “HIDDEN” things from HIS WORD, to us! The Lord says, “…you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. You will seek me and FIND ME when you SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.” (Jer. 29:12-13)
“Listen and HEAR MY VOICE; pay attention and hear what I say.” (Isa. 28:23)
-Bill Stockham